Throughout the changes and challenges in life, it’s hard to find a constant to hold onto. For me, the turmoil can lead to an identity crisis, and it’s easy to search for answers in the wrong places, people, and things. Who am I? Who am I becoming? What is my calling and purpose? Where do I belong? How do I fit into the world around me?
I’ve learned that my faith is the only thing that stays constant and that Christ is the only One who can tell me who I am. But it’s hard to remember those truths in the midst of turmoil, which is why building an arsenal of Scripture can be an extra anchor to hold onto.
These 10 verses have stuck with me through the years and continue to encourage and strengthen me.
- Colossians 2:6-7 –” Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
I’m not usually a “world-of-the-year” type of person, but this year, I just kept feeling the word “rooted,” especially in the midst of chaotic work weeks, new opportunities, changes in friends and circumstances. I knew that I had to focus on becoming rooted in Christ in order to be prepared for whatever is ahead of me. And a huge part of that is diving deep into Scriptures and continually reminding myself of who determines my identity.
- Psalm 19:14 – “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19, as a whole, was one of my favorite passages growing up because it reminds me of the depth and magnitude of God’s love and goodness. The Psalm talks about all of God’s creation, including us. The final verse reminds me to always let my words and actions reflect the image I’ve been created in—God’s.
- Matthew 14:28-29 – “And Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.”
These verses became so important to me during my dad’s battle with cancer. He held onto them until the end. Many know how this story ends—Peter falters and begins to drown. But the faith that it took Peter to step out of that boat in the first place is the faith my dad wanted and that I want to have—full trust in Christ and his power.
- Proverbs 16:9 – “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
I’m a planner; I want to know what’s happening, what’s going to happen, and all the details. But life doesn’t always work in my favor that way, and God certainly doesn’t work that way. This verse always reminds me that no matter what plans I’ve made, God is the one setting my path before me.
- Psalm 55:22 – “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
In all of the struggles and challenges I’ve been through in the last few years, this verse has given me comfort and peace, knowing that I’m not walking through the pain alone. Jesus takes our burdens and pushes us forward, giving us the strength to keep going.
- 1 John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
I’ve had a lot of fear hold me back from doing things, and some of those things had the potential to be life-changing. But this verse reminds me that to love God and feel God’s love fully, I have to put fear of failure, making mistakes, being wrong aside and live in faith.
- Galatians 5:1 – “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
When shame, failures, mistakes weigh down, this verse reminds me that Christ has already won the victory over all sin and shame. Christ’s sacrifice allows us to step out of defeat and into freedom.
- Esther 4:14 – “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther’s story is inspiring for many reasons, and it reminds me that God’s plan is far beyond what I can see, and even the smallest of moments in my life can have a purpose that I’ll never know. Just like Esther was faithful, this verse reminds me to live faithfully in the moments and places God has called me to, even if it doesn’t seem to make sense.
- Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
This verse is my favorite and one that I use as a daily reminder of how to live. It’s a succinct summary of the commandments Christ has given us and the way he lived his own life. How we treat others, how we act, how we speak, should all reflect justice, mercy, and humbleness.
- Amos 5:24 – “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.”
My daily work is hard—working with vulnerable populations dealing with poverty, violence, failing health, and more. It feels like there will never be a way out for them, no matter how many we help. But this verse reminds me that God is just and cares for these people more than I ever could. He has an everlasting plan to bring justice for the poor and the oppressed. He is fighting the fight for me.
