Reading the Bible when life is hard
Longer pieces on the passages people reach for when they are worn out, grieving, anxious or afraid, and on what those passages actually say in context.
Bible Verses for Trials: Count It All Joy, the Fiery Trial, and Asking for Wisdom
In a long, hard season and handed a verse about joy? James 1:5 in its setting, 1 Peter on grief, and the KJV wording.
Bible Verses for Waiting for a Spouse: How Long, and Whether to Pray for One
Wanting to be married and not yet? Psalm 13 to pray as it is, whether to pray for a spouse, and Psalm 37:4 in its setting.
Bible Verses for Nightmares: For the Moment You Wake, and the Prayers Kept for the Dark
Woken by a bad dream? Psalm 63:6-8 to read in the dark, the night prayers churches and synagogues keep, Psalm 91 and Job 7, and when to see a doctor.
Bible Verses for Overwhelmed Moms: When It Is Too Much for One Person
Exodus 18:17-18 for a load too heavy for one person, Isaiah 40:11 for those with young, short passages for a quiet minute, and help for the weeks after a birth.
Bible Verses for the Loss of a Grandfather: Jacob's Blessing, Barzillai and the Man Who Taught You
After a grandfather dies: Psalm 34:18 for tonight, Jacob blessing his grandsons, Barzillai at eighty, and readings for his funeral.
Bible Verses for Moving to a New Place: For the First Nights Somewhere New
Just moved, or about to? Psalm 25:16-17 for the first night, Jacob's night at Bethel, Psalm 137 on missing home, and verses for a new house.
Is It a Sin to Be Afraid? David in Gath, the Boat, and the Fear of God
Afraid, and worried the fear itself is wrong? Psalm 56:3-4, and what Catholic, Orthodox and Reformed writers say about fear.
Bible Verses for the Loss of a Sister: Miriam, Martha and Mary, and the Person Who Shared Your Childhood
Your sister has died. Psalm 34:18 for tonight, Miriam and the sisters of Bethany, words for twins and younger siblings, and readings for her funeral.
Bible Verses for New Beginnings: Starting Over, Whether You Chose It or Not
Romans 15:13 for the first day of something new, Isaiah 43 in its setting, and passages for starting over after a move, a loss, a divorce or years away.