The word of God awakens and strengthens faith, and provides hope to everyone – not just those in recovery or impacted by addiction. It provides guidance and wisdom, especially when we’re feeling lost or overwhelmed. If you’re experiencing any of the following emotions right now, please let these carefully-chosen bible verses wash over you to feel more peace and relief. We pray that you learn more about Him and yourself in the process. As Jesus himself said, His truth can set you free.
Each one of these emotions is universal to us all, but especially common in recovery, for both individuals AND their loved ones. Guilt and shame can create isolation and giving up on your dreams, while God’s forgiveness and unending grace can unlock your full potential. Anger can fester and hurt you physically, emotionally, and relationally until you learn to extend the same mercy God gave you. Disappointment and grief require God’s perspective and special comfort. Fear and worry come down to trusting that the almighty God of the universe is still in control. For additional help, feel free to use our online prayer form, attend an upcoming workshop on these subjects, or consider an appointment to speak to one of our lay counselors.
Note: the bible translation for each scripture is in parantheses at the end of each verse.
Anger/Resentment (back to top)
Ephesians 4:26-27
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry – but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. (Message)
James 1:19-20
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. (NLT)
Proverbs 19:11
Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. (NLT)
Proverbs 15:1, 18
A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire. Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace. (Message)
Matthew 5:23-24
This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. (Message)
Disappointment (back to top)
Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. (NLT)
Psalm 27:14
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. (NLT)
Psalm 34:17-18
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (NIV)
Psalm 40:1-5
I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the Lord. (NLT)
Psalm 91:14-16
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation.” (NLT)
1 Peter 5:10-11
The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ – eternal and glorious plans they are(!) – will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does. (Message)
Jeremiah 29:11
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 hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (NIV)
Fear & Worry (back to top)
Matthew 6:31-34
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (NIV)
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (NIV)
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (NIV)
John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (NLT)
Philippians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (NLT)
Grief (back to top)
Matthew 5:4
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (NLT)
Psalm 34:17-18
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (NIV)
Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. (NLT)
Matthew 11:28
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (NLT)
Guilt & Shame vs. Forgiveness (back to top)
1 John 1:9
But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all wrongdoing. (GNT)
Proverbs 28:13
You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you. (GNT)
Hebrews 8:12
And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins. (NLT)
Jeremiah 33:8
I will cleanse them of their sins against me and forgive all their sins of rebellion. (NLT)
Romans 8:1
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (NLT)
Psalm 32:1-5
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD .” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. (NLT)
Psalm 103:8-12
The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. (NLT)
Luke 15:7
Count on it – there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue. (Message)