Poems for Trials

These poems for trials provide comfort and hope from the Bible for difficult times. It’s so comforting to remember God’s promises and see His hand at work in our lives as we face the challenges of life.

These encouraging poems provide a fresh perspective on the purpose and meaning of trials and remind us of God’s unfailing promises: the Lord is always with us, these trials won’t last forever, He will not allow more than is best to make us like the Lord Jesus, He loves it when we trust Him even when we can’t understand or see what He’s doing, and so much more.

If you have a friend going through hard times and don’t know what to say, sharing one of these encouraging poems will help you extend love and support in a thoughtful way.

They Couldn’t Sleep, But They Could Sing

Down in that jail at Philippi
As midnight came around,
Two men were lying in the dark
By chains securely bound.
Their bleeding wounds and aching bones
Were keeping them awake,
But no amount of pain and wrong
Could make their spirits break.

Those bars and chains had seen a lot,
But what they heard that night
Was faith-filled men who praised the Lord
And prayed with all their might.
Then, far below an earthquake struck
And broke the jail apart;
The praise was joined by joyful thanks –
They sang with all their heart.

The convicts stayed to hear the praise
That Paul and Silas sang;
Their hearts were touched by faith so strong
The inner prison rang.
The jailer, too, with fear and hope
Cried, “Sirs, what must I do?”
“Believe in Christ and you’ll be saved
For Jesus died for you.”

More voices joined the songs of praise
That echoed through the night
As souls were saved and angels sang
In wonder and delight.
Those faithful men had no regret
For through the whole ordeal,
They watched God work and proved His grace
Gives hope that’s strong and real.

Pain kept them up that fateful night
But couldn’t steal their song;
They couldn’t sleep, but they could sing
And God Himself came down.

Christina Joy Hommes

What Fear Shows

When fear begins to fill my heart
It shows my faith is small,
For I’ve been trusting in myself
And not the Lord of all.

If I rely on what I know –
My instincts, skills, and sight –
I start to fear what I can’t see
And tremble in the night.

But if I trust my mighty God
I’ll never have to fear
Because I know He always sees
And stays forever near.

So when I feel the grip of fear,
It’s time to stop and pray,
To turn from self-reliant pride
And trust in God today.

Christina Joy Hommes

When God Comes Through

When Shadrack and Abednago
With Meshak faced the flame,
They purposed they would do what’s right
And praise God’s holy Name.

They bore the brunt of tyrant rage,
Were roughly seized and bound –
It wasn’t till they reached the fire
That true relief was found.

Within the fire they weren’t alone
For Jesus met them there,
And not a single thread was singed –
No smoke-whiff in their hair.

That furnace was a holy place
Of triumph and success,
Where God came through and showed His love
Of humble faithfulness.

You may not sense how God will work
Or feel His presence near
Until you reach the furnace blaze
Where Jesus will appear.

Christina Joy Hommes

God Knows and Does What’s Best

I know the Lord knows everything –
There’s nothing He can’t see;
He sees right now with all the past
And all eternity.

I know the Lord is good and kind –
His love for me is true;
He gave His Son to die for me
And gives me heaven, too.

So, if my God knows everything
And truly wants my best,
Why would I doubt His perfect plan
Or put Him to the test?

Why would I think that I could plan
Or choose a better way
When I don’t know the things He sees
About the coming day?

Lord, I confess I often fail
To seek Your will for me;
I sometimes worry or complain
And doubt what I can’t see.

Forgive me, Lord, and help me turn
In everything to You,
And give me faith to trust Your love
Will once again come through.

Christina Joy Hommes

Strength Sufficient

You’ve promised strength through Jesus Christ
To do the work You give
Sufficient for the task at hand
However long I live.

And when I’m weak I often ask
That You would make me strong
Expecting that I’ll feel prepared
For all that comes along.

But then, perhaps, I’d soon forget
Your strength is holding me;
My foolish heart would turn away
And sink within life’s sea.

So in Your grace You sometimes choose
To only let me feel
The strength I need for one more step
To keep me near and real.

It’s always there – the strength that raised
My Savior from the dead;
Each moment’s need is fully met
Just as Your Word has said.

So when I feel I can’t go on
And wonder if You’ve heard,
I’ll know Your strength will see me through
And trust Your faithful Word.

Christina Joy Hommes

“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

O Lord, Restore My Soul

O Lord, who lifts the fallen
And gives the weary rest,
Who heals the broken-hearted
And rescues the oppressed.

Please hear my prayer and help me
In this my time of need
For I’m so weak and weary –
Lord Jesus, intercede.

My hope and expectation
Is in Your grace and love
For You’re so strong and willing
To help me from above.

I’m leaning on Your promise
To give me strength today;
Restore my soul, dear Shepherd,
And keep me in Your way.

Revive Your life within me
And give me joy in You;
I’m waiting, trusting, watching,
Please strengthen and renew.

Christina Joy Hommes

“He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.” Psalms 23:3

Let God Write the Story

So often as we walk through life
We want to know the ending;
We want to see it all work out
When things are just beginning.

But God most often doesn’t show
The map of where He’ll lead us;
He simply shows us day by day
The way to live for Jesus.

He knows the end, and that’s enough –
By faith we must believe it;
He’ll give us grace to get us through
If only we’ll receive it.

Like Joseph in the prison cell,
Like Esther – crowned but grieving,
Like John on Patmos, we can’t see
The wonders God is weaving.

So step by step we do God’s will
And let Him write the story,
Till someday, looking back, we see
His wisdom, love, and glory.

Christina Joy Hommes

I’ll Carry It Today

Dear child, you know I love you,
I care about your tears,
I want to bear your burdens
And calm your doubts and fears.

This load that you’ve been wearing
Is far too big for you,
But I will gladly take it
If you’ll just trust me to.

I’m strong – it will not hurt me,
I’m wise – I’ll understand,
I’m kind – I want to help you,
I’m good – so trust my hand.

Lay down this heavy burden
And let it roll away,
Release the strain and worry –
I’ll carry it today.

Christina Joy Hommes

Only for a While

The wicked sometimes prosper,
But only for a while –
Swift judgment is awaiting
Their final, careless mile.

The godly sometimes suffer,
But only for a while –
The Lord Himself is waiting
To turn it to a smile.

So do not be discouraged
When things seem upside down,
Though patient, God is working
And soon you’ll wear a crown.

Christina Joy Hommes

Through Cloud and Storm

The clouds may gather overhead
And turn life’s skies to gray,
The winds may blow and shake the things
I thought would always stay.

But still the love of Christ my Lord
Shines brightly through the rain,
His tender kindness and His care
Bring comfort through the pain.

His goodness makes a rainbow gleam
Through all my falling tears,
His faithful mercy never ends
Through all the passing years.

So let the clouds and storms blow in,
Let winds and thunder roll,
I’m sheltered safe in mighty love
That guards and heals my soul.

Christina Joy Hommes

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