Bible Verses When Everything Is Going Wrong
The short answer
2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Psalm 34:19, Romans 8:28 and Job 1:21 are the passages for a pile-up of bad news. 2 Corinthians 4 is the most honest shape: troubled but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair. Scripture grants that things go badly and denies that going badly is the end of the story.
When trouble arrives in a run rather than one at a time, most encouragement sounds hollow. These passages were written by people in the middle of a run.
Where to begin
Three passages that do not minimise what is happening.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;
Biblical context
Paul describes his own experience of ministry, including beatings, shipwreck and imprisonment.
Selah’s reflection
Each clause admits the trouble before naming the limit of it. Nothing is denied.
Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all.
Biblical context
Part of the instructional second half of Psalm 34, addressed to people already suffering.
Selah’s reflection
The verse counts the afflictions as many. It does not suggest faith prevents them.
Romans 8:28
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
Biblical context
Comes after Paul has described creation groaning and believers groaning with it, and prayers too deep for words.
Selah’s reflection
The verse says things work together for good, not that each thing is good. Said too early to a suffering person it does harm.
Further passages
Job 1:21
He said, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be Yahweh’s name.”
Biblical context
Job says this on the day he loses his children and his livelihood. He spends the following thirty chapters protesting.
Selah’s reflection
This is a first response, not a settled conclusion. The book gives far more space to his lament than to this line.
Psalm 40:2
He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.
Biblical context
Written looking back on a rescue the psalmist had waited a long time for.
Selah’s reflection
Miry clay is a good description of a season where nothing gets traction.
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you.
Biblical context
Spoken to Israel in exile, echoing the Red Sea crossing.
Selah’s reflection
Water and fire are both assumed. The promise is company through them.
A short prayer
God, it has been one thing after another and I am out of resilience. I am not asking for an explanation. I am asking you not to leave.
A question to sit with
Which one of these troubles is the one actually keeping you awake? Start there.
Try Selah
Tell Selah what tonight actually feels like, and it will help you find relevant passages for this moment.
Open the Selah verse finder