If you have a chronic illness, you are no stranger to sick days. Maybe even sick weeks or sick months. We all have our coping mechanisms that bring us comfort on sick days, when our spirits and health are hanging low.
For me, my Christian faith plays a huge roll in keeping me from rock bottom when I’m going through those bad times.
Sometimes it’s just an uplifting word. Or even a reminder that I have faith in God and his plan for my life. These little things make such a huge difference!
I’m going to tell you an ugly truth. When I’m having a bad day and someone gives me a bible verse, I find it annoying. I’m not sure why I feel this way, but it has always seemed a little insincere. I know that’s just a personal hang-up. I don’t get too worked up about it.
That is where this list comes from. These are verses that resonate with me on a personal level and help to reset my mind.
You don’t have to read them often. Maybe you just pin this article and come back to them when you’re feeling particularly down. I hope you find these Bible verses as comforting to you on sick days as I do.
If you want to explore these further from your tablet/phone/computer, I recommend this app/website.
You can also get a printable copy of these verses below.
Bible Verses for Bad Days
Wisdom from Paul to the church in Philippi
These first two verses are in the closing of the letter from Paul to the Philippian church. It’s a letter that focuses on the Church’s struggles and using his own life as an example. Basically, he drops some really good advice on them because he knew what it was to struggle.
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
This verse is so great for relieving mental stress and anxiety. There is no situation we can find ourselves in where God is not listening. He may not answer our prayers as we ask, but He is listening. And I’ve found through a lifetime of praying that He knows what is best, even if I can’t see it.
Heaven forbid He answered YES to every prayer I’ve ever prayed!
Another thing this verse reminds me of is the importance of our mindset. We should present our prayers to Him with a spirit of Thanksgiving. It’s been just the last few years that I have seen the truth of this in my own life.
My husband and I have seen some situations that looked truly desperate that ended up being absolute, undisputed blessings. It has really taught me to be thankful for the bad times because I just don’t know how they will end up being a blessing.
Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)
“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
This verse is a great reminder that we can be content in our circumstances. Paul had been hungry and full, in poverty and prosperity, but he was strengthened by God in all circumstances.
For us, we can say we’ve ‘been healthy and sick’ and hopefully we can follow that up with ‘and have been content in all circumstances’.
The theme of strength comes up repeatedly in the following verses. It’s particularly helpful to know that it’s not our strength that will help us survive and be content, but God’s.
Not our strength but His
Psalms 73:26 (NIV)
“My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.”
No one can write more eloquently, or speak more knowledgeably about struggles than David.
I’ll admit, I think he asks for a little too much vengeance for my taste. But his faith in God’s plan is only rivaled by Job, the epitome of faith through suffering!
David admits, much like I think anyone with chronic illnesses has been forced to, that his flesh may fail. It’s in the strength of God that hope is found, though.
It’s possible to remember, even when we’re forced to be weak, that it is not our earthly strength (or lack thereof) that matters, but God’s eternal strength.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
I am going to let you guys in on a little secret that I’ve only ever said out loud twice before. I have never believed that God was going to heal me, but that my purpose is to learn and grow through my illnesses.
It’s a little like Paul in the above verse. He writes that he asked repeatedly for God to take his “thorn” and God dropped this little nugget on him.
It is not God’s plan to make us strong, but to be strong for us. As a matter of fact, he goes as far as to say that He is strongest when we are weak.
That is a much better way to look at our weakness than as a failing. Instead, it’s God’s way of helping us prosper (through Him).
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Honestly, this one doesn’t even really need any explanation. As a complementing verse goes, “…If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 (NIV)
Even in our worst times. When our faith has been shaken. Even if we don’t feel worthy of love or life. God is with us! He is for us!
And let’s be honest, I think we could all use to be strengthened and helped. God has chosen us -as He chose Israel in this passage – and He will hold us up when we need it.
Peace in anxiety and help with burdens
John 14:27 (NIV)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.”
This is such a simple statement with such a big impact.
God gave us peace. We do not have to worry and be afraid. When we’re unable to get up from bed or feeling our heart race or watching the doctor’s bills pile up, we do not have to be afraid.
I actually love this whole chapter because it’s Jesus breaking everything down very simply. But that’s a post for another day!
Just remember, God is many things, including peace-giver.
And how might he bring about peace, you ask? Well…
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
I don’t know about you, but most of the things in my life that try to steal my peace are the burdens brought on by my physical health.
Sometimes I fall victim to the overwhelming stress of trying to take care of myself and still be present and care for my family. But God reminds us that we just have to bring our burdens to Him and He will give us rest.
And if the promise of rest to someone with a chronic illness isn’t enough to get your attention I don’t know what is!
Luke 12:25 (NIV)
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”
This one is less ‘comfort’ and more ‘wake up’ call.
If you’re anything like me, you spend your down days sitting on the couch worrying about what you should be doing, what you can’t do, and how you’re going to make it all work.
But then Jesus comes and knocks a little sense into me. What exactly am I going to accomplishing by sitting around all day worrying about things?!
Nothing. That’s what.
Sometimes comfort comes in a form we wouldn’t expect. And in this case, it comes in the form of a reminder that God’s got this. He’ll take care of the ravens (as Jesus described shortly before this statement) so why wouldn’t He take care of us, who are worth so much more than a raven.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
If you’re looking for a heck of a motivational speech, look no further than God speaking to Joshua in the days leading up to the trip across the Jordan into Canaan.
Imagine looking into the unknown after years of feeling lost. And knowing there was going to be battles coming your way. And who knows how many years more uncertainty?
Does that sound anything like your health struggles? I know it sure does to me!
But Joshua reminds them (and us) that we do not have to be afraid because God will be with us wherever we go. Even if we don’t go any further than the couch!
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
If you grew up in church, I’m thinking you’ve probably heard about the horrors that Christians faced in ancient Rome. If you haven’t, just trust me that they were hellish and deadly.
And yet this simple statement from Peter to those suffering in Rome was powerful enough to be included in the Bible. He makes it sound so simple.
God cares for us, so we can hand our anxiety off to Him. For my sake, I could stop this verse even sooner….God cares for us. That is more than I could ask for and enough to remind me (again) that He knows what He’s doing even if I don’t.
That definitely ratchets my anxiety down to a much more manageable level.
Trusting in the Lord
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs is a great place to look if you’re wanting some great one-liner advice. And also some good solid ‘get your act together’ wisdom (Thanks Solomon).
This particular set of verses makes frequent appearances in a lot of different areas of Biblical wisdom. It’s pretty much universally applicable to most of life’s situations. It essentially says:
God is smarter than us. Trust Him and He’ll make sure everything turns out okay.
The thought of putting my trust in someone who is infinitely smarter and more able than me is an idea I can get behind!
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
This is absolutely one of my favorite verses in the Bible. I just love the thought that God has a plan for my life and there’s nothing I can do to mess that up as long as I’m living my life for His purpose.
The consistency of God is more than anything we know or can imagine. I think my faith would struggle more if I was afraid that God would change his mind about me. People can let you down, but God never will because He has never and will never change.
Final Thoughts
These 12 verses fall into a couple different categories: relying on God for strength, letting him handle our anxieties and burdens, and trusting in Him.
Sometimes it just takes a little re-centering when you’re feeling down. These verses remind me and you that we don’t have to be strong and perfect. We’ve got a God looking out for us who is far beyond our own powers.
I hope that one of them has spoken to your particular experience and brought you some comfort on your sick days.
If you’re finding this post and need more information on a Fibromyalgia, check out this page. It is a very comprehensive look at Fibromyalgia and treatment methods after you’ve gotten your diagnosis.
Leave a comment to let me know what verses you rely on to get you through tough times!
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