Life can change in an instant. One moment, you’re out to dinner with your family, sharing laughs and telling stories that never get old. And the next, you’re scrambling to manage a crisis you never saw coming. As you try to weather the storm, you feel overwhelmed by this abrupt, 180-degree turn. What happened? You think to yourself. And what am I going to do?

Maybe you’re  grieving the loss of a loved one. In the midst of your sorrow, you’re struggling to support your children, who feel just as heartbroken as you do. You just want to curl up on the couch and wish your grief away.

Maybe you’re  recovering from the shock of being laid off by your boss. Fearful thoughts have run circles in your mind: How am I going to pay the bills? And how on earth will I get a new job? Your family has supported you, but you know they’re thinking the exact same thoughts.

Or maybe your son recently broke the law, and you can’t help but wonder if he’ll ever get his act together. His apathy about the future has broken your heart. And now, you’re out of ideas to help him find his way in life.

In these moments, when life has come crashing down, you can open your Bible and meditate on passages of peace, hope and wisdom. These four Bible verses will get you started:

John 14:27 (CEV)
I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.

Psalm 10:17 (CEV)
You listen to the longings of those who suffer. You offer them hope, and you pay attention to their cries for help.

Psalm 31:2-4 (GNTD)
You are my refuge and defense; guide me and lead me as you have promised.

Isaiah 40:31 (CEV)
But those who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.