5 Bible Verses to Meditate on during a Downturn

In the three decades and some that I have been privileged to live on this earth, I have experienced some downturns. Sincerely, they were not very enjoyable times however I must say that meditating on God’s word coupled with taking other necessary actions helped me through those gloomy days. Here are 5 bible verses to meditate on whenever you experience a downturn. They are five of my favourites! Join me in the ride:

1. Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

A refuge is a place to hide for safety. Back in the bible days, when nations went to war against each other, the warriors hid in caves for safety. During those times of recess, they are able to regain strength; then return to the battlefront and many times gain victory.

God is that “cave” that I hide in from the battles that rage around me. Whenever I hide in Him, He tops up my strength, I mean He really makes me stronger and I am able to handle difficult situations that on my own I would have collapsed under. He also always sends help to me during those challenging times.

2. Psalm 91:15

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.

This is one other Bible verse I love to meditate on during a downturn. I love this scripture because it does not say we will be free from trouble; that would have been a great deception. It is not that I love troubles but the truth is that difficulties are part of life. They are part of what makes us grow. It is when we thrash our challenges that we are celebrated. When an athlete beats the challenge of running a 100 meters race within the shortest time possible, he is then given the gold medal as the winner.

Knowing that I can call upon the Lord and He will answer me whenever I face any challenge is so comforting; much more calming is knowing that He is right there with me in that situation. Whether it’s a health challenge or financial difficultly or issues at work, I know He is right beside me during every bad time and He will rescue me and then celebrate me.   

3. Psalm 34:5

They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed.

During a crisis, it is natural to look at the news for information. It’s okay but then in addition to getting information, you are almost sure to get your mind filled with fear and anxiety. Unfortunately, fear and anxiety only worsen things. They walk together like twins but they always paralyse their prey.

Whenever I am in a crisis, instead of entertaining those twins- fear and anxiety, I look to the Lord. I focus my thoughts on who He is and the great things He has done for me or others in the past. These thoughts make me feel great like when I’m savouring a bowl of vanilla ice cream on a sweltering and sunny day. Those thoughts of God keep my heart warmed up and my face lit up and fear and anxiety disappear.

4. Psalm 66:10-12

For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.

Oftentimes when God allows us to go through difficult times it is not because He doesn’t love us rather it is because He is doing a work in us. Like a silversmith will put the silver through fire to melt out every impurity, He takes us through those harsh times to refine and make us better. Finally, after the refining, He brings us into a place of abundance and wealth.

Anytime I meditate on this bible verse during a downturn, it always changes my outlook on my circumstance. In place of crying and pitying myself thinking “o poor me,” I look forward to the wealthy place that the Lord will bring me to after the challenge. I think about the blessings, the relationships, the opportunities that will come to me after the trial; that is one very sure source of my strength during bad times.

5. Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.

Although you and I know that if we pray to God during the good as well as the bad times, He hears and answers us. However, oftentimes we forget to do so. Our usual response to an unpleasant situation or news is to be afraid or worried. We let our minds run wild with all sorts of pictures and thoughts.

I am very guilty of this I must confess. My thoughts go wild like a crazy horse when I first hear a piece of bad news. But over time, I have learned to quickly remind myself of this bible verse. The New Living Translation (NLT) says it this way, “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.”

So I tell myself, Olubunmi, Don’t worry about anything instead pray about this condition, and really as I do so I begin to experience God’s peace in the midst of that crisis. I’m so thankful for God’s word!

So here you have it! Five of my favourite Bible verses to meditate on during a downturn. They have always refreshed my heart and brought peace, calm, and hope to me during the different unpleasant seasons of my life. I believe they would do the same for you too.

However, if you want some more bible verses then make sure you get a copy of the book I co-authored with my husband, ” All You Need for All Your Needs: Treasured Scripture Promises that bring Daily Victory.” It is packed with over 200 bible verses, organized by category for quick reference. It is a gold mine of God’s precious assurances during different seasons of life. You will find some other Bible Verses to meditate on during a downturn or recession.

Related Post: 35 Bible Verses About Fear and Anxiety

Also if you are or know someone grieving because of the difficult times we’re in, then you can get help from my devotional- “Choosing Joy amid Grief: Daily Devotions for Your Journey From Mourning To Joy.” In it, I shared 31 bible verses that I drew comfort from when I went through my different seasons of grief (my dad died a few months to my 11th birthday, my first child suddenly passed on days after a successful corrective heart surgery). Those scriptures brought me comfort and hope. I believe they will help you too.

Related Post: How to Stay Positive During A Crisis

So what scriptures do you meditate on when you’re going through a downturn? Let me know, you can share in the comments section below. Also please do share this post if you found it useful.