6 Bible Verses to Hold Onto when Feeling Left Behind

We have all faced seasons in life where we felt passed by. Your best life seems to be behind you while others live out your greatest dreams.

Even Jesus’ disciples experienced this feeling in a great storm following the powerful miracle of the feeding (Mark 6:41-44). Scripture tells us that immediately after feeding the 5,000, Jesus sent the people home and instructed the disciples to get in a boat and cross the lake “while He went up into the hills by Himself to pray” (Mark 6:45-46 NLT).

“Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw Him.

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Take courage! I am here!” Then He climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in” (Mark 6:47-52 NLT).

Scholars provide two explanations for the phrase “intended to go past them:”

1. Jesus would pass by as He did with Moses and Elijah. 

“Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence…When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen” (Exodus 33:18-23 NASB).

God does His best work in the hidden seasons of the wilderness

“I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD” (Isaiah 45:3 NKJV).

Another example is in the appearance He made to Elijah, who was hiding in a cave after he ran from Jezebel. God called him out of the cave so that he could “pass by.” 

“The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave”(1 Kings 19:11-13 NASB).

We have all felt that we were being passed by at some point and yet God was intending to show us His glory, His majesty, His power, and all of His goodness. It might not be an earthquake or fire but a gentle whisper. Pray for the whisper of the Holy Spirit.

God often speaks with a still, small voice. We must “be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10 NKJV).

2. Another option is that it appeared to the disciples that Jesus was going to pass them by (perspective). The gospel writer Mark, discipled by Peter, may describe how Peter felt in this frightful situation. And we know that fear overcame Peter’s faith when he attempted to walk on the water. 

Mark 6:52 explains, “Their hearts were too hard to take it in.” Jesus had just demonstrated His power and deity, and they quickly forgot. Perhaps Jesus’ intent to pass them by was a test of their faith, or another opportunity to show them His glory, or both!

God has not and will not pass you by.

6 Bible verses when you feel passed by:

1. “The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; your lovingkindness is everlasting” Psalm 138:8 
2. “For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13 CSB).“
3. Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:16-17 NASB).
4. “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me” (Isaiah 49:15-16 ESV).
5. “I meditate on You in the night watches, for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:6-7 NASB).
6. “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV).

We must expect God to be God in our lives and then remember the great things He has done, passing the stories of His faithfulness to the next generation. And more importantly, do not believe the lie that you have been passed by.