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July 6, 2017

10 Bible Verses to Share With Someone Who's Celebrating (or Struggling)

I've had the great privilege of facilitating* women's Bible study for the past 12 years, and one of my favorite moments is when my study sisters and I discover a "who knew" verse in God's great love letter...as in, "who knew this was in the Bible?"

Some of these lesser-known** verses have become my standbys when I'm sending a text message or a card to a friend or acquaintance who's celebrating a gain (a new baby, a new job, a new house) or grieving a loss. If you're trying to rejoice with someone who's rejoicing or mourn with someone who's mourning (Romans 12:15), one of these might give you a place to start.

For someone who's just had a baby: "See, the Sovereign Lord tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young." (Isaiah 40:10a,11)

For someone who is graduating: "Love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life." (Deuteronomy 30:20) 

For someone who is grieving: "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:27) Also, "But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand." (Psalm 10:14)

For someone who is starting a new job: "May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands." (Psalm 90:17)

For someone who is suffering: "I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place." (Psalm 31:7,8)

For someone who has moved into a new home: "My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest...how blessed you will be." (Isaiah 32:18, 20a) Also, "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. (Proverbs 24:3,4)


For someone who is overwhelmed: "In all their distress He too was distressed, and the angel of His presence saved them. In His love and mercy He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them." (Isaiah 63:9)

For someone who is waiting for something: "All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you." (Psalm 38:9)

For someone who is starting something new: "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 31:8)

For someone you appreciate: "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement." (Philemon 7)




Do you have a favorite "who knew" verse? 
Please share it in a comment or over on Facebook! 


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*"Facilitating" rather than "leading," because "leading" implies I have all the answers (as if), whereas "facilitating" merely indicates that I set up chairs and make sure our stash of pens and tissues is replenished regularly.

**Or, at least, these are lesser-known to me. You might be thinking, "Honey, everyone knows these verses. Some Bible study leader you are." To which I would only ask you to see "facilitator," above.

Click here for a free printable of all these verses.

Previous post that might have something to do with this one: So You Want to Start a Women's Bible Study Group.

This post have may have been shared at some of these blog link parties.


32 comments:

  1. These are some great verses, I especially like the fact that they are lesser known, more original than our old standbys. Visiting from Grace and Truth. :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Betsy! I'm so grateful that the Word of God is always fresh and new, for there is always somewhere new to go with its Author. Blessings on your day...thank you so much for stopping by!

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  2. Thank you for sharing these verses today. I particularly needed the one on overwhelm. Blessings to you!

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    1. Thank you, Sarah! Oh my...doesn't it sometimes seem as though we'll need the overwhelm verse until the time when the only thing that overwhelms us is being in the presence of Jesus? Thanking God that His mercies are new every morning...praying you feel that newness today! Thank you so much for visiting!

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  3. First, I love the title of your blog! I find great encourgement in Psalm 38:9. How often we are all waiting for something!

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    1. Aw, thank you, Crystal! ;) And oh my goodness, did you just nail the truth about that verse from Psalms! In fact, just seconds ago, I shared it with two friends who are waiting and longing. How right you are that we are all waiting for something. Thank you so much for leaving your thoughtful feedback...blessings on your day!

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  4. Thanks for putting this list of verses together!! I agree that they're "lesser-known" verses for me as well :) Love that each one is so appropriate for the situation someone may be facing, be it joyful or sad. So helpful that I've pinned this to refer back to in the future!!

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    1. Tracey, bless your soul! I am just over on your amazing praise/worship Scripture post right now, getting ready to pin IT for future reference. :) As always, you are a treasure.

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  5. This is an amazing resource. Now . . .to commit them to memory, so that we have them handy when needed!

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    1. Thank you and YES, Michele! Into our minds, down to our hearts, and out our mouths and fingertips! Thank you so much for taking time to stop by today. I so appreciate your faithful support and encouragement.

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  6. This is an awesome list. I'm going to need the new house one soon! Thanks so much for this great post, God bless you. a friend from Faith and Friends

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    1. Hi, Steph! Thank you so much for visiting from Faith 'n' Friends...I'm over on your post shared there today now! ;) CONGRATULATIONS on your new house! How exciting! I pray that it will indeed be a secure, peaceful, blessed home for you. :)

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  7. Thanks for stopping by my blog on Friday. I'm just getting around to Friday's linkups...sigh! ;)
    I always love - LOVE - stopping by your blog. I know there will be good content - GREAT content - and a smidge (dash? pinch? bushel? peck?) of humor.
    I love the verses you're sharing. I haven't thought to use them in those situations, so this is truly helpful!
    Thank you!

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    1. Oh my dear Rebekah, I was so glad to visit YOUR blog Friday! It always fills me up with (loads...tons...megatons of) good things, even if the truth God gives you to share is sometimes hard to hear...er, read. ;) Thanks so much for popping by and blessing me with your encouraging words. P.S. I now have that song about "I love you a bushel and a peck..." stuck in my head. #justsayin

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  8. Love these verses! Thanks for sharing. Stopping by from the Tuesday Talk link up!

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    1. Thank you, Kelley...I love them, too. Sometimes the "someone" I share them with is myself. ;) Thanks for visiting from #TuesdayTalk!

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  9. This is awesome and I've bookmarked it for future reference. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Aw, thank you so much, Miriam! What a sweet comment to start my day...bless you!

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  10. Wow, love these! What a fresh perspective :) Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you, Nicole...it's so encouraging to hear that these came across as "fresh." That's how they felt to me, so I truly appreciate knowing they hit you the same way. Blessings on your day...thank you so much for stopping by!

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  11. Elizabeth, I love your verses and I really like that you focused on lesser known verses. There was one from Psalms 10 that I do not remember reading before and I loved it! Thank you!

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    1. I'm so glad, Leslie! I love that Psalms 10 verse you mentioned, too...such a tender reminder of the caring, compassionate nature of God--Who is also strong enough to do something about our trouble and grief that He sees. Thank you so much for stopping by!

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  12. Such wonderful verses... the Bible is full of treasures that apply to everyday life... and it is so good to remind ourselves of them. :)

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    1. Yes! Ancient words that are fresh and alive today, tomorrow, and forever. Blessings on your day...thank you so much for taking time to visit!

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  13. Found you via the EH&H blog hop. Thank you so much for these. I love finding little known Treasures and will use them. May I quote part of this in a post? I would share with you before publishing. Thanks.

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    1. Hello, Dorothy! Absolutely...feel free to use/quote/share whatever and however you like! I would be honored, and bless you for asking. May God's Word and all its treasures dwell richly within you!

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  14. Thank you. My friends just moved into a new house and the verse from Proverbs is perfect!

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    1. Oh, that is so good to hear! Or, as the case may be, to read. ;) I love that Proverbs verse...so full of hope for things to come. May your friends' new home indeed be filled "with rare and beautiful treasures." Thank you so much for stopping by!

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  15. I need Isaiah 63:9 today! But at least I'm caught up through July...how long will it take me to get through June??

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    1. Oh, honey, I'm sorry you need that verse...but I'm glad it was here for you to find. I need it pretty much every day, too. As for getting caught up: 1)you are THE SWEETEST to even try and 2)happily, I didn't blog much in June. (See "graduation party" and "dance recital" and "parents' 50th anniversary"!) xoxo

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  16. A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work Bible Verses

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  17. Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative

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I'd love to hear from you! Feel free to tell me what you really think. Years ago, I explained to my then-two-year-old that my appointment with a counselor was "sort of like going to a doctor who will help me be a better mommy." Without blinking, she replied, "You'd better go every day." All of which is just to say I've spent some time in the school of brutal honesty!