26 Bible Verses About Strength for When You Feel Weak

There are days when you simply run out. Out of energy, out of patience, out of courage, out of answers. You keep going because you have to, but inside you feel empty.

The Bible is full of people who felt exactly that way: Moses, David, Elijah, Paul. And it is full of God's promises to strengthen the weak. Not the already-strong. The weak.

Below are 26 Bible verses about strength, grouped by what you might be facing right now. Under each group you'll find a short explanation and a prayer. Find the section that fits your day, read it slowly, and let God's Word carry you.

Where real strength comes from

Before we go further, here is the key truth that runs through every verse on this page: biblical strength is not self-strength. It is God's strength, given to people who admit they need it.

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Psalm 73:26

The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation.

Exodus 15:2

Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

1 Chronicles 16:11

Psalm 73:26 is remarkably honest. The writer admits that both his body ("flesh") and his emotions ("heart") are failing. He doesn't pretend. But he discovers that God is strength for exactly that heart.

When you're tired and worn out

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

Isaiah 40:29

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Isaiah 40:29 describes exactly who receives strength: the faint and those with no might. If that's you today, you qualify.

Isaiah 40:31 is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible. Notice its order: soaring, running, walking. Some days God gives strength to soar. Some days, to run. And on the hardest days, simply to keep walking without fainting. All three are gifts.

When you feel weak or inadequate

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

Paul had begged God three times to remove a painful "thorn in the flesh." God said no, but gave him something better: grace that is enough, and strength that shows up most clearly in weakness. "When I am weak, then am I strong" sounds like a contradiction until you realise that weakness is where we finally stop relying on ourselves.

A note on Philippians 4:13: this beloved verse is sometimes used to mean "I can achieve anything I want." In context, Paul is talking about contentment: being able to cope with hunger or plenty, need or abundance (Philippians 4:11–12). Its real meaning is even more comforting: whatever situation you are in, Christ can give you strength to face it.

When you're afraid or facing a battle

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:9

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Ephesians 6:10

Look at the reason given in each of these commands to "be strong": because God is with you. Moses spoke Deuteronomy 31:6 to the Israelites before they entered a land full of enemies. God repeated it to Joshua when he took over leadership. The courage comes not from the size of the people, but from the presence of God.

Ephesians 6:10 introduces the famous "armor of God." For a deeper look, read our verse-by-verse study of the armor of God.

When you're sick or your body is failing

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped.

Psalm 28:7

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Psalm 29:11

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.

Ephesians 3:16

When illness drains the body, Ephesians 3:16 reminds us that God strengthens the inner person too. Even when physical strength fades, the Holy Spirit can strengthen faith, hope and peace on the inside.

When you're grieving or heartbroken

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalm 34:18

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy.

Zephaniah 3:17

Grief can make it hard even to pray. Psalm 46:1 doesn't ask you to be strong; it says God is your strength, "a very present help." Present means here, now, in the middle of the trouble, not far away waiting for you to recover.

When you're waiting and it's taking too long

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalm 27:14

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

1 Peter 5:10

Waiting is one of the hardest things a person can do. Psalm 27:14 links waiting with strength: God strengthens the heart while we wait, not only after the answer arrives. And 1 Peter 5:10 promises that suffering is "a while," not forever, and that God Himself will restore and strengthen.

When you need strength for everyday life and work

The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

Habakkuk 3:19

It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Psalm 18:32

For the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10

A hind is a female deer, famous for keeping its footing on steep, rocky mountains. Habakkuk wrote this verse in a time of national crisis, with crops failing and danger coming (Habakkuk 3:17–18). He chose to rejoice in God anyway, and found that God gave him sure footing on difficult ground.

Nehemiah 8:10 was spoken to people rebuilding Jerusalem after exile. Joy in God isn't just a nice feeling; it is a source of strength for hard work.

When you need someone to stand with you

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me.

2 Timothy 4:17

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.

Psalm 18:2

Paul wrote 2 Timothy 4:17 near the end of his life, after explaining that at his trial "no man stood with me, but all men forsook me" (2 Timothy 4:16). Abandoned by people, he discovered that the Lord stood with him. If you feel alone, this verse is for you.

How to let these verses strengthen you

Reading verses is good. Letting them work in you is better. Some simple ways:

• Choose one verse a week and memorise it. Isaiah 40:31 or Psalm 46:1 are good starting points. Our guide to Bible verses about anxiety has a simple five-minute memorisation method.
• Pray the verse back to God. Turn "The LORD is my strength" into "Lord, You are my strength today."
• Write it where you'll see it: your mirror, car dashboard, desk or phone wallpaper.
• Share it. Send a verse to someone who is struggling. Encouraging others often strengthens our own hearts.
• Rest. God made us with bodies that need sleep, food and rest. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do when you're weak is take a nap, as God provided for Elijah (1 Kings 19:5–8).

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Bible verse for strength?

Isaiah 40:31 is one of the most loved: "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Philippians 4:13 and Psalm 46:1 are also widely treasured.

What does the Bible say about strength in weakness?

In 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, God tells Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness," and Paul concludes, "when I am weak, then am I strong." God's power is often seen most clearly when we stop relying on our own strength.

What does Philippians 4:13 really mean?

In context, Paul is describing contentment in every circumstance, whether in need or in plenty. The verse means that Christ gives strength to face whatever situation God allows, not that believers can achieve anything they wish.

What Bible verse can I pray when I feel weak?

Isaiah 41:10 is ideal to pray: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Is there a Bible verse about strength for a hard day at work?

Psalm 18:32 ("It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect") and Nehemiah 8:10 ("the joy of the LORD is your strength") are both encouraging for demanding workdays.

What Bible verses give strength when grieving?

Psalm 34:18 ("The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart") and Psalm 46:1 ("God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble") are especially comforting in grief.

A final word

Strength in the Bible is rarely about feeling powerful. It's about leaning on the One who is. If you feel weak today, you're in exactly the right place to receive His strength.

Pick one verse from this page and carry it with you today. Then visit our Today page tomorrow for a fresh verse and prayer.