Have you recently experienced a tough time and wondered how it would be possible to praise God in the storm? Read here for Bible verses about worshipping God in the middle of difficult circumstances. We’ve included a free printable 30-day Bible reading plan to guide you.
- What Does it Mean to Praise God in the Storm?
- A Challenge for Christians: Praise God Through the Storm
- How to Praise God in the Valley
- Practice Praising God During Trouble
- 30 Top Verses about Praising God in the Storm
- 1. Psalm 34:1-7 – God saves you from all your troubles
- 2. Mark 4:35-41 – Jesus calms the storm
- 3. Matthew 8:23-27 – Oh you of little faith
- 4. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Give thanks in all circumstances
- 5. Hebrews 13:15 – Offer a sacrifice of praise
- 6. Mark 4:13-20 – Sow on good soil
- 7. Psalm 103:1-6 – God redeems your life from the pit.
- 8. Psalm 30:1-4 – God restored my life.
- 9. 2 Chronicles 20:21 – His steadfast love endures forever.
- 10. Psalm 22:1-3 – Struggling within a storm.
- 11. Luke 22:14-18 – Drinking the fruit of the vine.
- 12. James 1:2-5 – Testing our faith.
- 13. 1 Peter 1:3-5 – Being born again.
- 14. Romans 12:12 – Stay steadfast in our faith.
- 15. Deuteronomy 4:30 – Turn into your faith in hard times.
- 16. Revelation 19:6-7 – The Lord our God reigns.
- 17. John 16:31-33 – He has overcome the world.
- 18. Romans 8:36-38 – As it is written.
- 19. Psalm 91:1-2 – Whoever dwells in the shelter.
- 20. Isaiah 26:3-4 – You keep him in perfect peace.
- 21. John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you.
- 22. Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything.
- 23. Psalms 27:5-6 – He hides me in his shelter.
- 24. John 9:1-3 – Jesus heals a blind man.
- 25. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – Do not lose heart.
- 26. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 – The Lord is faithful.
- 27. 2 Samuel 22:3-4 – My God, my rock.
- 28. Luke 12:32 – Fear not.
- 29. 2 Timothy 4:18 – The Lord will rescue me.
- 30. Psalm 138:7 – You preserve my life.
- Praising God in the Storms – Free PDF Printable Bible Reading Plan
What Does it Mean to Praise God in the Storm?
Your storm might be literal, like the hurricanes people experience in Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean or the wildfires in Montana, Oregon, and California.
Your life storms might be emotional, such as ongoing battles with:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Financial difficulties
- Marriage struggles
- Parenting challenges or parenting children with special needs
- Caregiving, such as for aging parents
- Physical pain or chronic illness
- Grief and loss
- Addiction
Your storms might be spiritual if you feel continually attacked by the enemy or question God’s purpose for your life. No matter the type of storm, these verses, and free Bible reading plan are for you.
A Challenge for Christians: Praise God Through the Storm
Notice that these verses aren’t about merely surviving a storm or its aftermath; they involve actually praising God in the midst of the storm.
Are you as challenged by this as I am?
My friend Chris shared with me the critical concept of praising God in the midst of life’s storms. In the Old Testament, God’s people didn’t just trust Him, they actually praised Him right in the middle of tough, seemingly impossible situations. (See 2 Chronicles 20:1-30)
Read Chris’ articles for more on why we choose to praise God even in the storm:
- Storm Clouds Ahead: When Your Attitude Needs a Shift
- Storm Clouds Ahead: How to Prepare for the Storm
How to Praise God in the Valley
I’ll be the first to stay it’s not easy to praise God in the midst of life’s most challenging situations, and this is an area where I am continually growing as a Christian.
Here are specific ways to praise God during the storms you are experiencing in your life right now:
- Praise God for who He is.
- Praise God for what he has done for you in the past.
- Praise God that He works all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
- Praise God, knowing He has the resolution to your problem or situation already in the works.
- Praise God because it is your job (Luke 19:40).
- If you feel you can, praise God for the trouble you are experiencing.
What does it mean to praise God in the valley?
Praising God in the valley means giving thanks and honor to God during a low point in life.
Praising God during struggles does not mean you necessarily praise God for the difficulty going on, although it’s possible. I’ve read of people praising God for cancer or the death of a loved one. I admit I’m not in that place yet most of the time.
I’ve shared that some of my toughest life challenges are my food struggles and my journey to lose 100+ pounds. God has brought me so much healing. I can praise God for bringing me peace with new food freedom.
But praising Him FOR the trouble? Whew, that’s a high calling.
Remember, there is much sin in our world. God never desires evil or bad things to happen to you, but in His goodness, He works it out for your good. Do not blame God for your troubles or pain.
Practice Praising God During Trouble
Praise God each day as you read the Bible passages below. Download the free 30-day reading plan to study this topic further. Copy words of praise or journal your thoughts in a notebook.
Bible journaling is a fantastic, tangible way to praise God in the storms of life, and this reading plan works excellent for that practice. Check out our Trust in the Lord Bible Journaling kit, which has everything you need for a whole month of meaningful Bible journaling.
This Bible reading plan is FREE and can be used anytime. Print it to enjoy during your daily devotion time.
30 Top Verses about Praising God in the Storm
Here are the thirty most impactful Scripture verses about praising God in hard times.
1. Psalm 34:1-7 – God saves you from all your troubles
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!I sought the Lord, and he answered me
Psalm 34:1-7
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
When you have time, read all of Psalm 34 to get a deeper understanding of how God your Father delivers you from the troubles you are experiencing.
I love how this passage reminds me that God delivers me from fear. It’s easy to let anxiety creep in. I need continual reminders that God is in control.
Whatever challenge you are facing, it’s no surprise to God. He knew this would be part of your life and prepared to see you through it.
2. Mark 4:35-41 – Jesus calms the storm
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark 4:35-41, ESV
My husband and I had the amazing opportunity to travel to the Holy Land in college. (In fact, we were engaged in Tiberias, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.)
Even though the Sea of Galilee isn’t that big, storms come in quickly over the mountains and catch boaters unprepared. You can picture how Jesus’ disciples were afraid for their lives and then their amazement when Jesus calmed the storm with His hand.
What storm are you facing in your life today? Do you recognize that Jesus could calm it instantly with the lift of His hand? Pray for His deliverance right now, and believe in faith that He will work in your life according to His will.
3. Matthew 8:23-27 – Oh you of little faith
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
Matthew 8:23-27
When faced with a storm head-on, it is hard to trust fully. But this scripture is a bold reminder that if we fully put our faith in the Lord, he will be right there amidst the storm. He will always be there for you when you fall on him.
4. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Give thanks in all circumstances
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Notice this passage says to give thanks in all circumstances, not just the ones we like. This is an important reminder that we are to continue praising God during storms, troubles, and tough times. This is God’s will for you.
If trusting God in hard times feels impossible, remember that this passage says it’s God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. You don’t have to do this on your own; you do it by the power of the Holy Spirit working in you.
5. Hebrews 13:15 – Offer a sacrifice of praise
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
Hebrews 13:15
When you praise God, you are offering Him a gift. When you speak the name of Jesus, you are worshiping the Lord. Your praise to God is a beautiful gift you bring before His throne.
6. Mark 4:13-20 – Sow on good soil
And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”
Mark 4:13-20
Learning where to invest our time is key to life. When we reach into the word of God and live our lives according to his words, we help root our faith in him. We grow, learn, and become stronger in every situation when we need to dig deeper to make it through the challenges of life.
7. Psalm 103:1-6 – God redeems your life from the pit.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’sThe Lord works righteousness
Psalm 103:1-6
and justice for all who are oppressed.
If we learn to surrender our lives to Christ fully, He will renew, redeem, and satisfy our needs. Our world is full of challenges. With His strength, we can overcome anything that comes our way.
8. Psalm 30:1-4 – God restored my life.
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
Psalm 30:1-4
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
This scripture shows how David praised God for all he did and continued to do for him in all life’s obstacles. We continually praise the Lord’s name when facing hard or good times.
The challenging times help us grow deeper in our faith, and the good times are more accessible and full of blessings. But in both seasons, if we lean to the Lord, we will find incredible gifts he places out for us.
9. 2 Chronicles 20:21 – His steadfast love endures forever.
And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,
“Give thanks to the Lord,
2 Chronicles 20:21
for his steadfast love endures forever.”
If you can remember one thing from this verse, it’s this: God will always be there for His people. He will never leave you. Don’t lose hope.
10. Psalm 22:1-3 – Struggling within a storm.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest.Yet you are holy,
Psalm 22:1-3
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
This is the Old Testament passage Jesus quoted when He was dying on the cross.
God isn’t afraid of your big, complex emotions. Cry out to God with honesty about how you are feeling. Jesus did.
11. Luke 22:14-18 – Drinking the fruit of the vine.
And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him.And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
Luke 22:14-18
This first celebration of Holy Communion is an amazing representation of all Jesus is for us. Jesus poured out His very life for you.
Today, when you take the Lord’s Supper, you drink from the vine’s fruit to connect with God. Even when we feel separated from him, we can break bread and drink in remembrance of him to strengthen our faith.
12. James 1:2-5 – Testing our faith.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
James 1:2-5
This is a great scripture to hold onto if we find ourselves challenged. Recently, I’ve been going through a season of change and growth with the businesses I lead. I’ve clung to this passage for strength, often including it in my prayer journal each morning. I ask God to give me wisdom, knowing He has promised to give wisdom when we ask.
13. 1 Peter 1:3-5 – Being born again.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5
One thing I cling to is always remembering that when I walk in the path the Lord is laying out for me, He will guide me. At the end of this life, we will be rewarded with eternal life in heaven. That is something to be forever grateful for.
14. Romans 12:12 – Stay steadfast in our faith.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12
We consistently face struggles and trials in life. We are not promised to be free of life’s ups and downs. But the positive is that when we lean into our faith and the words of God, He brings us strength, hope, and guidance to make the right decisions.
I also find that when my faith is intense, even in even more complicated situations, our faith helps them become manageable.
15. Deuteronomy 4:30 – Turn into your faith in hard times.
When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the Lord your God and obey his voice.
Deuteronomy 4:30
When facing a challenge in life, instead of running to friends, family, or others to talk about things, take a few minutes to pray to the Lord and let him direct you to the proper steps to resolve the issue.
When we genuinely cry to him, he will show up more than we could imagine.
16. Revelation 19:6-7 – The Lord our God reigns.
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
“Hallelujah!
Revelation 19:6-7
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
This verse in Revelation is an excellent reminder of our ultimate result. We are blessed with eternal life, peace, and freedom from pain. God gives us so much more than we deserve, showering us with goodness.
17. John 16:31-33 – He has overcome the world.
Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 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 16:31-33
When life is extra hard, and we feel hopeless, we must remind ourselves that God provides all our needs. Instead of panic and worry, we need to be still and trust that he will make it right with us no matter the outcome.
18. Romans 8:36-38 – As it is written.
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers
Romans 8:36-38
God is the truth, light, and way. He is always on our side. Have you asked God for help with your current problems? So often, we talk about it, complain about it, worry about it, but we forget to pray about it.
19. Psalm 91:1-2 – Whoever dwells in the shelter.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Psalm 91:1-2
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
This passage is a meaningful reminder that if we dwell (live) in the words of the Bible, He is refuge from a storm.
Think back to a previous time in your life when God proved faithful. What happened? In the moment, all felt hopeless, yet God provided rescue. Cling to that as a reminder that God is also working in your life today.
20. Isaiah 26:3-4 – You keep him in perfect peace.
You keep him in perfect peace
Isaiah 26:3-4
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
The more I read the Bible and study the Word, the stronger my faith becomes. When you lean on God’s strength, your day-to-day life is more enjoyable, and you more easily overcome issues – not because the problems are easier, but because you are stronger.
21. John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27
We will never find the complete answers to life in the world. I’ve turned to the words of John 14 so many times during my life when I didn’t understand why I was in the middle of such a difficult (and seemingly unfair) situation.
Jesus’ command is to let go of troubles and fears. In exchange, He gives us His peace.
22. Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
This famous verse will reshape your mindset when worrying, questioning, or seeking answers. When you find yourself full of anxiety, ask God for help and approach Him with an attitude of thanksgiving.
23. Psalms 27:5-6 – He hides me in his shelter.
For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.And now my head shall be lifted up
Psalms 27:5-6
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
When David trusted the Lord so firmly, you see the confidence in his steps. The Lord protected him. God is ready to do the same for you when you call out and ask.
24. John 9:1-3 – Jesus heals a blind man.
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.
John 9:1-3
The pain and sickness we may develop in life or see others develop is not because of something we did as a sin.
Your mess becomes your message. God will use your challenging situations for His good and glory.
25. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – Do not lose heart.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
When we are struggling, it is easy to lose our faith if the challenge lasts a long time. So, it is essential to hold firm to verses like this. While your current suffering might seem insurmountable, when you look at it from an eternal perspective, it’s a light, momentary affliction.
Look beyond what is going on currently and focus on God’s timeline.
26. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 – The Lord is faithful.
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
Your enemy, Satan, will try to use your circumstances to turn you away from God. While being prepared for a spiritual attack is essential, you don’t need to be afraid of it. You have the victory in Jesus! God will establish and protect you.
27. 2 Samuel 22:3-4 – My God, my rock.
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
2 Samuel 22:3-4
my shield, and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold and my refuge,
my savior; you save me from violence.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.
This verse shows God’s character. He is our Savior, a Rock, and a Refuge when you are weak. He is everything we need to be fulfilled in our day-to-day lives.
28. Luke 12:32 – Fear not.
Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luke 12:32
I love that this passage reminds us not to be afraid, and that reminder is woven throughout Scripture. But my favorite part of the verse is at the end when it says it’s the Father’s “good pleasure” to give you His kingdom.
Friend, God enjoys you. He delights in you. God loves to give you good gifts, the same way a parent enjoys giving gifts to their child.
29. 2 Timothy 4:18 – The Lord will rescue me.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:18
This Bible verse is so encouraging. The Lord will always rescue us in all He does for us, and we will have the peace of being in heaven for eternity. Keep your eyes focused on the long game.
30. Psalm 138:7 – You preserve my life.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
Psalm 138:7
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
Remember to trust in the Word of God and His promises when life gets hard. Lean into Him. God reassures us that His burden is light.
Some simple yet meaningful ways to worship God include:
- Worship with other believers at church.
- Lighting a candle (such as at Advent) and saying a prayer.
- Singing worship music at home or in your car.
- Fasting (giving up something) as a gift to the Lord.
- Take a walk through nature and tell God how much you admire His handiwork.
Have you found a way to praise God during the storms of your life? Please share about it in the comments.
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Meisha says
I can’t wait! ☺
Phyllis Sather says
I can’t figure out how to download the Bible reading plan mentioned in this post.
Sara says
Hi Phyllis, please send me an email at sara@theholymess.com and we will help you get a copy.