Scripture

“Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.  Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, ‘It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.’  The second son he named Ephraim and said, ‘It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” 

Genesis 41: 50-52  (NIV)

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.  If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.  And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings so also you share in our comfort.” 

2 Corinthians 1: 3-7 (NIV)

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“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia.  We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.  Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.  But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.  He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.  Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” 

2 Corinthians 1: 8-11 (NIV)

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"I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.  He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light; indeed, he has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long.

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He has made my skin and my flesh grow old and has broken my bones. He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship.  He has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead.

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He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains.  Even when I call out or cry for help, he shuts out my prayer.  He has barred my way with blocks of stone; he has made my paths crooked.

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Like a bear lying in wait, like a lion in hiding, he dragged me from the path and mangled me and left me without help.  He drew his bow and made me the target for his arrows.

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He pierced my heart with arrows from his quiver.  I became the laughingstock of all my people; they mock me in song all day long.  He has filled me with bitter herbs and sated me with gall.

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He has broken my teeth with gravel; he has trampled me in the dust.  I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.  So I say, 'My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD.'

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I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.  I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.  Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

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Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'

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The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.  It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young."

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Lamentations 3: 1-27 (NIV)

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"All our enemies have opened their mouths wide against us.  We have suffered terror and pitfalls, ruin and destruction.  Streams of tears flow from my eyes because my people are destroyed. My eyes will flow unceasingly, without relief,

until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees."

Lamentations 3: 46-50 (NIV)

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"What I see brings grief to my soul."

Lamentations 3:51 (NIV)

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"Those who were my enemies without cause hunted me like a bird.  They tried to end my life in a pit and threw stones at me; the waters closed over my head, and I thought I was about to be cut off.

I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: 'Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.'

You came near when I called you, and you said, 'Do not fear."

Lamentations 3: 52-57 (NIV)

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"O Lord, you took up my case; you redeemed my life.  You have seen, O Lord, the wrong done to me.  Uphold my cause! You have seen the depth of their vengeance, all their plots against me. O Lord, you have heard their insults, all their plots against me -

what my enemies whisper and mutter against me all day long."

Lamentations 3: 58-62 (NIV)

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When you feel alone...

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“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you.  I will uphold you with My righteous right hand..I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand.” 

Isaiah 41: 10, 13 (NKJV)

When people have deserted you...

Photo Credit: Jennifer Reichle

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“At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me.  May it not be held against them.  But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength…so that I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.  The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.  To him be glory for ever and ever.  Amen.” 

2 Timothy 4: 16-18 (NIV)

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“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”  

Psalm 62: 8 (NIV)

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“Sir,’ (referring to Jesus), the invalid replied, ‘I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred.  While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.’  Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’  At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” 

John 5: 7-9 (NIV)

When you need help...

Photo Credit: Jennifer Reichle

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“Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

  Psalm 34: 19 (NKJV)

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“The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness.” 

Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)

“With us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” 

2 Chronicles 32:8 (NJKV)

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"Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you."

Isaiah 35:4 (NIV)

When you need justice...

Photo Credit: Jennifer Reichle

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“Christ…suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth;’ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when he suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” 1 Peter 2:21-23 (NKJV)

“For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity.”  Isaiah 61: 8 (NIV)

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When you are overwhelmed...

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“O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me!” 

Isaiah 38:14 (NKJV)

“Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.  From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.  I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.” 

Psalm 61:1-4 (NKJV)

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“You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm.” 

Isaiah 25: 4 (NKJV)

“Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance: and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.” 

Isaiah 61: 7 (NIV)

When you need to be comforted...

Photo Credit: Lindsey Greathouse

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“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” 

Matthew 5:4 (NKJV)

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” 

Isaiah 61: 1-3 (NIV)

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"I, even I, am He who comforts you."

Isaiah 51:12 (NKJV)

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"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.  If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.  And our hope for you is firm,  because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort."

2 Corinthians 1: 3-7 (NIV)

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"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you."

Isaiah 66:13 (NIV)

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"Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)

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"You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth."

Psalm 86:15 (NKJV)

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"I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth."

John 14:16 (NIV)

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"The Spirit helps us in our weakness."

Romans 8:26 (NIV)

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"God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Revelation 21:4 (NKJV)

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Moving Forward

Photo Credit: Jennifer Reichle

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“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” 

Philippians 3: 13, 14 (NIV)

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“I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” 

Philippians 3:8 (NIV)

When you are in the storm...

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"My heart is in anguish within me;

the terrors of death assail me.

Fear and trembling have beset me; 

horror has overwhelmed me.

I said, 'Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!

I would fly away and be at rest -

I would flee far away

and stay in the desert;

I would hurry to my place of shelter,

far from the tempest and storm."

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Psalm 55: 4-8

When you need rest...

Photo Credit: Jennifer Reichle

“My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 

Exodus 33:14 (NKJV)

When you feel broken...