18 Comforting Bible Verses For Special Needs Parents (+ FREE Printable Cards)

18 Bible verses for special needs parents to comfort and encourage.

I vividly remember the details surrounding the night my husband and I discovered we were expecting our first child. I also remember envisioning what it would be like to cradle that beautiful little one in my arms for the first time.

Cuddling up close and rocking my precious baby to sleep… singing sweet lullabies and reading story after story.  So many thoughts flooded my mind during the months leading up to the birth of our daughter.  I imagined all of the “firsts” that were to come, all of those exciting milestones.

Two and a half years later I imagined all of those “firsts” yet again when we found out we were expecting our son. There are no words to describe the joys of motherhood.

It’s safe to say that over the past 8 years I’ve imagined a lot of things regarding my children.

But, I never imagined special needs.

God, in His goodness however, has chosen to gift some of us parents with children that need a little extra love and care. Although the trials of being a special needs parent are greater than I expected, I am learning to see the beauty and blessings of raising these incredible kiddos who remind me daily of the amazing grace and patience of our Heavenly Father.

Bible Verses For Special Needs Parents

God’s Word offers us a tremendous amount of hope and encouragement as the hardships arise. Below are some Bible verses for special needs parents to help realign your focus when you become overwhelmed, discouraged, or exhausted.

Raising children is the absolute most rewarding and challenging job of any parent’s life. Raising children with special needs is no different- except for the fact that those rewards and challenges have a way of revealing our weaknesses to an even greater extent, while magnifying God’s strength.

This journey is not easy, but God has graciously used the trials to grow and stretch me in ways that I may not have ever experienced otherwise.  I also know that He is faithfully working all things out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) and that we can rest in His sovereignty.

I have chosen to print these special needs Bible verses and place them all throughout our home (on the fridge, pantry door, bathroom mirror etc.) as a reminder that we are not alone and that God’s strength is made perfect in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Please feel free to click on the image below if you would like access to the free PDF Bible verses for special needs parents.  

2 Corinthians 12:9

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”” (ESV)

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Isaiah 26:3

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

Galatians 6:9

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Isaiah 40:11

“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

This is one of my absolute favorite Bible verses for special needs parents, and a beautiful reminder of the love our Creator holds for us. His desire truly is to gently care for and lead us.

Psalm 28:7

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”

Epheisans 4:1-2- Bible Verses For Special Needs Parents

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love…”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

1 Peter 5:6-7

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

John 16:33

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

I find myself turning to this Bible verse for special needs over and over again. We are never promised that life will be easy, in fact Jesus clearly states the exact opposite. But we can rest in knowing that He offers us a sweet peace in the midst of all of the chaos, disappointments, and trials.

Romans 12:12

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

I love this simple reminder to faithfully pray throughout the day. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in all of our responsibilities that we often just allow sheer exhaustion and overwhelm to discourage us. May our thoughts continually turn to our Savior to stand firm in our faith and fight off the enemy’s lies and temptations.

Romans 5:3-5

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

James 1:12

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

Psalm 34:18

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

I memorized this verse as a teenager and it has been a sweet reminder that I am not alone as the trials arise. Not only is my Savior there, He desires to be the first one I turn to for comfort.

Psalm 119:76

“Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.”

Isaiah 40:31

“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

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God Chooses Special Needs Parents

I am filled with gratitude at God’s gracious answer to my prayer to become a mother. I wholeheartedly believe that God chooses special needs parents. However, it is most certainly not because we are capable of caring for and leading these sweet children in our own strength.

I believe that He has chosen to gift us in this way so that we can more clearly see our desperate need for Him. These parenting trials have opened my eyes to areas of sin that I didn’t even realize I was struggling with.

These trials have given me greater empathy and compassion towards others who are struggling in a myriad of ways.

And our family’s struggles have opened up so many opportunities for me to share the gospel, speak of Christ’s love, and pray with my children that I may have never taken the time to see if life was running smoothly all the time.

In all honesty there are days that I still feel like an utter failure as a mom. There are days I allow envy to prick my heart as I watch other families thrive while ours seems to only struggle.  There are days that I still question why God chose this for our family and silently remind Him that I am thoroughly unqualified for this job.

And then there are days that I sit back and marvel at it all. That He would deem me worthy to care for these precious children is truly humbling.

Please rest in the fact that God specifically chose you to be a special needs parent and raise your children for His glory. If you are faithful to seek Him, He will more than equip you for the task.

Related: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT PARENTING?

What Does God Say About Special Needs?

When I think of what God says about special needs my mind immediately goes to Moses of all people. As God was instructing Moses to approach Pharoah for the release of His people…

 “Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” (Exodus 4:10-12)

Although we don’t know the details of his disability it appears that Moses did have some kind of speech impediment or delay. And God’s response?

In essence God was saying “Moses, I made you and am fully aware of your disability. I love you and will equip you to do what I’ve called you to do. I’ve specifically chosen you for this special task.

Even after Moses declined a second time God still insisted on using him.

I cannot help but think of special needs families as I read these words. God has chosen both our children and us as parents for this task and He can surely use it all (the good, the bad, and the ugly) for His glory.

Sweet Friend, you were chosen for this.

Prayer For Special Needs Child

If you are reading this today, you’re most likely in need of some encouragement on this journey like I am. Praying for our special needs children as well as praying for ourselves as parents to have wisdom along this journey is vital in leading them closer to the One who died to be their Savior. Please know that I am praying for you and your children. And I would like to pray for you now.

Prayer For Special Needs Child and Family

Heavenly Father,

You have made each and every one of our children unique and beautiful in their own way. You know my heart and that I struggle to understand all of the “whys” in life, but I fully acknowledge that your ways and thoughts are so much greater than my own, and I trust in your goodness and wisdom.

I pray that you will draw each one of our children closer to your heart. That they will understand the depth of your love for them and the sacrifice that was made on their behalf. You make no mistakes, Lord. Although we are living in a fallen world we know that you still hold it all in the palm of your hands.

I pray for our children to have a special kind of love for you and others that would propel them to use their gifts and disabilities in a way that would point people directly back to you.

Lord, I also pray for us parents. Help us to continually lay our burdens down at your feet. I pray that you would grant us wisdom, patience, grace, and strength throughout each day, and that we will always see our children through your eyes- as the blessings they truly are.

May our love for them and you outweigh our fears, exhaustion, and frustration. Please forgive us when we fail our children and allow bitterness to take root in our hearts, and help us to accept the grace and forgiveness that you so freely offer.

Help us to remember that your love for our children is even greater than our own, and to learn to simply rest in Jesus.

Thank You for your amazing grace and goodness that we come nowhere near deserving and for allowing us the privilege to care for these precious children.

In Jesus’ name, Amen .

I hope that this list of Bible verses for special needs parents and children is an encouragement to you. If we are faithful to keep our eyes on our Savior, He is more than faithful to equip, lead, and comfort our weary hearts.