We all go through phases of our life where we question everything that happens, or even how we see ourselves. I know when I am going through hard times, I always revert to my favorite bible passage which is Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. This passage states:

1. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”

This passage is a daily reminder for me that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes we get so caught up in life, and we wonder why things happen. Why people walk out of our lives? Why people close to us pass away? Why we fail an exam? But we forget to stop and think of the bigger picture; sometimes we don’t always have the answers, but some of the things we are most confused as to why it happens, turn out to be the greatest thing that could happen to us because God’s plan for me is greater than me wondering “why” all the time, and even though I have no idea, he knows what he is doing.

I know everyone interprets and understands things differently. Because of this, I asked several other people what their favorite Bible verse was that helps them get by in life and the reason why. These are the responses I received:

2. "When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For the and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." - Luke 5:8-11

This passage goes to show how much God loves us and pursues us despite all of our failures and how we’re supposed to give back to others.

3. “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4:13

This is a favorite because without the strength of God some people would not get through some of the boulders life has thrown at them.

4. "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14

This was chosen to be a favorite because we get so caught up in being skinny or fitting the “perfect” image where we forget God made us who we are, he made us a perfect image of what he wants and we shouldn’t try to change that image to fit what we believe is perfect for society.

5. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

This passage helps this person give their troubles to the one and only God who can fix them and to not worry because all our worries are in God’s hands.

6. "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:30-331

This is a reminder that even people you see as having the “perfect” life or being the “perfect” Christian, where you don’t see them as the type of person who goes through hard times but they do. They can also stumble from God’s path or even fall off the path, but if you trust in the Lord he will get you through anything in his strength.

7. "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." -James 4:8

This was chosen to be a favorite because when we are feeling down or lonely, which everyone does at some point or another; it brings peace and calming during these times to know that God is right beside us and it serves as a reminder to walk in his way.

8. "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. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." - Proverbs 3:5-8

Proverbs 3:5-8 was chosen as a favorite because even when you do not understand, God is in control of your life and you should no longer worry.

9. "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid." - Psalm 27:1

Psalm 27:1 is a constant reminder in asking ourselves, why we are afraid of life and the things that get thrown at us in life when we have God to be our stronghold through it all.

10. "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." - James 1:19-20

This verse has taught this person to work on their anger and to not have a temper. Sometimes in life we let our anger get the best of us, and speak before we think, which leads us to say things we do not mean. This verse is a great example to better control your anger and think before you speak.

11. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” - Jeremiah 1:5

Jeremiah 1:5 was chosen because it is a reminder that God knew what he was going to have his followers do in ministry even before they knew it. He made every little quirk and personality trait we have. Everything that we go through God uses as his ministry. This person has endured many heartaches but can see why they have had to go through each one of them and they have used every bad or sad situation to minister someone else.

No matter what you are going through in life remember you are not going through it alone. We all go through hard times at one time or another and I hope there was a verse or passage mentioned here to help you get through your hard times a lot easier.