As most of you guys know,, I’m going through some very heavy stuff right now,, but I keep trying to remember stories from the Bible about preserverance and strength ,,, that helped them. Can you guys share some of your favorites?? If those folks can overcome, I can too,, just needing encouragement from stories long written down

Job went through some of the worst stuff imaginable and continued to worship God. Always a good read when life is stressful. My prayers are with you!

Luke

I do not know what your beliefs are. Nor do I know how strongly you hold those beliefs But if your faith goes back a number of years you likely have some favorite events from the Bible I have found it beneficial to go to the books and chapters that are about the events you enjoy and just start reading Often times the words start to speak to my heart . And if you enjoy reading you can cover alot of what will be of value to you . Keep your head up an ask for gods will and not how you want it to turn out . .

Think about poor Job and all his friends - even his wife told him to curse God and die but God rewarded Job several times over after all the devil did to him

One thing I have found that helps me is the fact that God uses everyday people to do extraordinary things. I don't know you or know what you are going through but God has a plan for you. I think about people like Ruth and Boaz and how they were normal every day people in the line of David that eventually became Jesus' line. Ruth , Boaz, Salmon, Tamar, They were all people with scandalous pasts or maybe came from parents who were not ''good'' people according to others and look how God used them.

One of my favorite stories is f David. Remember how Saul chased him for years and finally he became king of the Jews. Or Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers and how he persevered and helped his people during the famine?

Not sure if this is helping?

I've been going through some stuff lately too and while there are a number of scriptures that can help 1 Peter 5:6-10 has meant a lot to me, especially vs 10.

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

My favorite is Samson. He got led astray by a pagan woman but @ the end of his life he asked God for strength. God gave him his strength back and he was able to kill a bunch of Philistines.

Simply spend time in the Word of God. Maybe get a large print Bible. Large print makes it less tiresome to read.

Job, David, Elisha ,Paul in the epistle's was deeply sadden at one point.
James 1:2-18 a good spot to read
David hid for fear of his life Elisha hid and fed by ravens for fear of his life thinking he was the only one left that worshiped GOD until the LORD told him how many there were that worshipped GOD. Many accounts of percussions trails, in the lives of believers. Count it as a refining,,, I certainly never like it but, our LORD said it would happen.
Prayer is a answer worth considering. As a start then go from there.

I've been reading the book of Matthew recently and I came across something that was encouraging to me.

In Matthew 9, some people bring a paralyzed man to Jesus. Jesus says to him, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
Then, later in the same chapter a sick woman touched the edge of His cloak. He said to her, "Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has made you well."
A few chapters later, when the disciples' boat was beaten by the waves in a storm on the Sea of Gallilee, Jesus walked across the water to them. They were terrified thinking they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus said to them, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid"
I looked into it a little more and found in the book of John where Jesus tells His friends He is going away. He warns them of the trouble they will have in this world and says to them, "In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world

I believe I hear Jesus speaking these Words to me:


Maybe you can hear Him say it to you, too.
Take heart.

Yes I agree with others on Job and I would be sure to read the last chapters when the young man comes into the picture and talks about the future afer all the pages of woe.

Bryce

Ty gang!!

I've always found a lot of comfort, and strength, in Romans 8:28.

James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial ,because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Luke 22:42

Numbers 6: 24-26

"The Lord bless you and keep you:
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace."

Praying for you, Sir.