83 Bible Verses About Life, Purpose and Perspective

Bible verses about life

Life is hard. We have to navigate many stressors, such as coping with workplace burnout, taking care of family, repairing relationships after fights and making enough money to live, just to name a few. It’s understandable that in the face of these struggles, many of us may feel irritable, anxious or low. We may question whether we’re “doing life right” or wonder where God is in the midst of so much global strife. That's why Bible verses about life are so important to revisit.

All of the stress of day-to-day living can leave little room for the joy God wants us to feel. But that’s just it: We can have joy because we aren’t alone in life; God is with us and fighting for us all the time. As the famous “Footprints in the Sand” poem reminds us, God loves us and will never leave us. If we only see one set of “footprints” on our journey, it’s because God is carrying us.

God is a comfort, a refuge and a guide—if only we take the time to look and listen. One way God shows this is through scripture, which is full of comforting verses, instructions on how to enjoy and live life with purpose and reminders to embrace the good. Ahead, find 83 short, yet meaningful examples.

Best Bible Verses About Life

1. “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8

2. “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” — Romans 5:3-5

3. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” — Luke 6:31

4. “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1

5. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

6. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8

7. “Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 1:6

8. “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” — 1 Timothy 6:12

9. “Perhaps you were born for such a time as this.” — Esther 4:14

10. “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it.” — Hebrews 12:2

11. “You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it.” — 1 Corinthians 12:27

12. “The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.” — Psalm 118:24

Related: Focus on the Meaning of Life With These 60 Bible Verses About Love

Bible Verses About Life Struggles

13. “When times are good, be happy, but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other.” — Ecclesiastes 7:14

14. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33

15. “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 40:31

16. “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” — Romans 8:17-18

17. “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” — 1 Peter 5:10

18. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” — James 1:12

19. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

20. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” — Psalm 56:3

21. “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

22. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’” — Jeremiah 29:11

23. “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” — Psalm 30:5

24. “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” — Psalm 56:8

Short Bible Verses About Life

25. “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” — John 1:4

26. “Do everything in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

27. “Pray without ceasing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:17

28. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” — Romans 8:31

29. “He says, ‘Be still and know that I am God.’” — Psalm 46:10a

30. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” — Psalm 32:8

31. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” — Psalm 150:6

32. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” — Psalm 136:1

33. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” — Psalms 119:105

34. “I know that you can do all things, no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” — Job 42:2

35. “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.” — Psalm 25:4

36. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7

37. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” — Psalm 27:14

38. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” — Mark 9:23

39. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2

40. “We love because he first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19

41. “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” — 1 Chronicles 16:11

42. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:30

43. “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” — John 6:35

44. “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” — Proverbs 16:3

45. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” — Psalms 46:1

46. “When I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.” — Micah 7:8

Related: Scriptures That Shine Light in the Darkness—Here Are 35 Bible Verses for Depression

Bible Verses About Living Life With Purpose

47. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9

48. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” — Ephesians 6:11

49. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.” — Philippians 2:3

50. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” — 1 Peter 5:8-9

51. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” — Ephesians 2:10

52. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:21

53. “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” — Proverbs 3:3-4

54. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” — Jeremiah 1:5

55. “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.” — Joshua 1:9

56. “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” — Colossians 3:2

57. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” — Romans 12:2

58. “They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.” — 1 Peter 3:11

59. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” — Matthew 28:19

60. “Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” — Ezra 10:4

61. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23

62. “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” — Hebrews 12:14

63. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31

64. “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” — Mark 16:15

65. “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” — Proverbs 15:22

66. “The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is fear God and keep His commandments because this applies to every person.” — Ecclesiastes 12:13

67. “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.” — 1 Peter 4:10

68. “If the whole body were an eye, how could it hear? If the whole body were an ear, how could it smell? God has placed each part in the body just as he wanted it to be.” — 1 Corinthians 12:17-18

69. “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace.” — 2 Timothy 1:10

70. “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” — Psalm 57:2

71. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” — Proverbs 19:21

72. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” — James 1:22

73. “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” — Proverbs 31:8-9

Bible Verses About Enjoying Life

74. “You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.” — Ecclesiastes 11:9

75. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” — John 10:10

76. “So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.” — Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Related: Calm Your Mind and Find Peace With These 25 Bible Verses About Stress

77. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” — Philippians 4:4

78. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” — Matthew 6:34

79. “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” — Psalm 47:1

80. “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” — Ecclesiastes 9:7

81. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 15:13

82. “Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’” — Nehemiah 8:10

83. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in Heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” — Matthew 5:12

Next up, check out these 115 encouraging Bible verses to get you through the day.