Bible Verses About Suffering When Facing a Terminal Illness
When you're facing a terminal illness, the Bible's wisdom about suffering becomes deeply personal. These carefully selected KJV scriptures bring together God's timeless truth about suffering with the specific comfort and guidance you need when facing a terminal illness. Let these verses anchor your heart in faith.
18 Scriptures About Suffering for Facing a Terminal Illness
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"
"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all."
"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:"
"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ."
"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."
"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted."
"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain."
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me."
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life... shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
A Prayer for Suffering When Facing a Terminal Illness
Lord, I do not understand why, but I trust You. Give me courage for each day, peace for the journey, and the assurance that to be absent from the body is to be present with You. Help me love my family well in the time I have. Give me grace for the hard moments — the pain, the fear, the goodbyes. Prepare me for what is to come, and prepare those I love for life beyond this. Be glorified in how I live and in how I die. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about suffering when facing a terminal illness?
The Bible offers many verses about suffering that are especially meaningful when facing a terminal illness. Key scriptures include Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:17, 1 Peter 5:10, which remind us of God's faithfulness.
What is the best Bible verse about suffering for someone facing a terminal illness?
Romans 8:18 is a powerful verse: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.…" This verse speaks directly to those seeking suffering during this season.