Encouragement in the New Testament is something Christians are told to do for each other, out loud and often. Much of it takes the form of reminding someone of what is already true.
This collection gathers passages that have steadied readers for centuries, with a note on where each one comes from.
Compiled and reviewed by the Verse & Light editorial team · last reviewed 2026-09-20 · Scripture quoted from the World English Bible
“Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them, for the LORD your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.””
Context: Moses' words to Israel as leadership passes to Joshua; the promise is presence rather than an easy path.
“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.”
Context: A plain statement about nearness to the brokenhearted, from a psalm written in a season of fear.
“Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.”
Context: Written to people tired of doing good with no visible result.
“Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward person is decaying, yet our inward person is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory, while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Context: Paul holds together visible wearing out and invisible renewal without pretending the first is not happening.
“Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.”
Context: Encouragement as an assignment for the community, not a service the discouraged must provide for themselves.
“A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”
Context: A pilgrim song sung on the road — help is located outside the traveller.
Original devotional writing by the Verse & Light editorial team — not part of the Bible text
God, hold me up today, and let me be the person who holds someone else up. Amen.
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