21 Bible Verses about Trials

Most Relevant Verses

James 1:2-3

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

2 Corinthians 1:8-10

For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.read more.
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Matthew 5:10-12

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Malachi 3:3

He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.

1 Peter 1:6-9

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,read more.
obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Psalm 66:10-12

For You have tried us, O God;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
You brought us into the net;
You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins.
You made men ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water,
Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.

1 Peter 4:12-16

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.read more.
Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

Genesis 22:1

Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”

Luke 22:28

“You are those who have stood by Me in My trials;

2 Corinthians 8:1-2

Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.

1 Thessalonians 3:2-4

and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know.

Job 1:7-12

The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing?read more.
Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord.

From Thematic Bible


Trials » Often blessings in disguise

Job 34:31

“For has anyone said to God,
‘I have borne chastisement;
I will not offend anymore;

Trials » Chastisement, a mark of the father's love

Proverbs 3:11-12

My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Hebrews 12:5

and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
Nor faint when you are reproved by Him;

1 Corinthians 11:32

But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

Trials » Sometimes prolonged

Psalm 6:3

And my soul is greatly dismayed;
But You, O Lordhow long?

Psalm 13:1

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?

Psalm 35:17

Lord, how long will You look on?
Rescue my soul from their ravages,
My only life from the lions.

Psalm 80:4

O Lord God of hosts,
How long will You be angry with the prayer of Your people?

Trials » Tribulation, a part of earthly experience

Revelation 2:9

‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Trials » The refining influence of

Zechariah 13:9

“And I will bring the third part through the fire,
Refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
They will call on My name,
And I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are My people,’
And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”

Isaiah 1:25

“I will also turn My hand against you,
And will smelt away your dross as with lye
And will remove all your alloy.

Trials » Of ministers and prophets

2 Corinthians 12:7

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!

Ezekiel 24:18

So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded.

1 Corinthians 4:11

To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless;

More verses: 1 Thessalonians 3:3

Trials » From God

Ruth 1:20

She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

Job 6:4

“For the arrows of the Almighty are within me,
Their poison my spirit drinks;
The terrors of God are arrayed against me.

Job 16:12

“I was at ease, but He shattered me,
And He has grasped me by the neck and shaken me to pieces;
He has also set me up as His target.

Psalm 66:11

You brought us into the net;
You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins.

Trials » True believers do not faint under

Hebrews 12:5

and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
Nor faint when you are reproved by Him;

Ephesians 3:13

Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.

More verses: Revelation 2:3

Trials » General references to

Exodus 3:7

The Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings.

Trials » Cup of suffering, saints drink of

Psalm 80:5

You have fed them with the bread of tears,
And You have made them to drink tears in large measure.

John 18:11

So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”

Psalm 73:10

Therefore his people return to this place,
And waters of abundance are drunk by them.

Matthew 20:22

But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They *said to Him, “We are able.”

More verses: Psalm 102:9

Trials » Waters of affliction

Psalm 69:1

For the choir director; according to Shoshannim. A Psalm of David.
Save me, O God,
For the waters have threatened my life.

Psalm 124:4

Then the waters would have engulfed us,
The stream would have swept over our soul;

Isaiah 30:20

Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher.

More verses: Jonah 2:5

Knowing Jesus Everyday

Never miss a post

Related Readings

Theasaurus: Trials

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org