Scripture by topic
Almost every verse about strength in Scripture was written to someone who had run out of their own. That is the pattern: the strength arrives at the end of yours, not before it.
These are grouped for whichever part you need — the promise, the source, and the courage to keep going.
Isaiah 40 is honest that even the young collapse. The promise comes after that admission, not instead of it.
29 He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.
31 But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31
9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
10 That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26
On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.
Psalm 138:3
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.
2 Timothy 4:17
Not manufactured. Received.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1
Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song.
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
Exodus 15:2
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10
being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully
Colossians 1:11
Strength in Scripture is usually for the next step rather than the whole road.
Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10
For I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and tells you: Do not fear, I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?
Psalm 27:1
Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the LORD.
Psalm 31:24
Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.
1 Chronicles 16:11
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way clear.
Psalm 18:32
Philippians 4:13 is the most quoted and most misused verse on this page. Read the four verses before it: Paul is describing how to be content when he has plenty and when he has nothing. It is a promise of endurance, not of achievement. That makes it far more useful on a hard day than the version on the poster.
A prayer you can borrow
Lord, I am at the end of what I have. I am not asking to feel strong — I am asking You to carry what I cannot. Give me enough for today's step, and let Your power be made perfect in exactly the weakness I keep trying to hide. Amen.
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In context Paul is describing contentment in plenty and in need — "all things" means every circumstance, not every ambition. Read as endurance rather than achievement, it is a much sturdier promise and it holds up on the days nothing goes well.
Isaiah 40:31 is the one most people carry, and it earns it by admitting first that even young men stumble and fall. If you want something shorter, Psalm 73:26 — "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart" — says it in one line.
2 Corinthians 12:9 is the clearest answer: God's power is perfected in weakness, not around it. Paul stopped asking for the weakness to be removed once he understood that it was the place the strength was arriving through.
Plainly and specifically, for today. Psalm 138:3 describes it as a direct exchange — "On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me." Scripture consistently gives strength for the next step rather than for the whole road at once.
Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible, which is free of copyright restrictions for use on websites. Read the full Bible on Great Faith.