This Too Shall Pass Bible Verse Kjv

There are those days when your coffee spills, your boss emails at 11 PM, and your favorite jeans mysteriously don’t fit. You mutter a half-prayer, half-groan, and suddenly, an old phrase floats into your mind: “This too shall pass.” It’s a saying that feels like a deep breath, a pause in the chaos.

Where Does It Actually Come From?

You might be surprised to learn that the phrase “This too shall pass” isn’t a direct verse from the King James Bible. It’s more of a spiritual heirloom, a piece of folk wisdom that has been polished by history and often mistaken for scripture.

The KJV Bible does give us a powerful parallel in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, which talks about our “light affliction” being “but for a moment.” The actual saying is widely attributed to a Persian Sufi poet, and it even appears in a story about King Solomon.

According to legend, Solomon asked for a ring that would make a wise man happy and a sad man humble. The inscription inside? You guessed it: “This also shall pass away.” It’s a cultural cheat code for emotional balance.

The Bible Verse That Gets You Through

While the exact words aren't in your KJV, the spirit is deeply biblical. Consider Psalm 30:5: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” That’s the same promise wrapped in different robes.

Think of it as the Bible’s way of saying: Don’t build a mansion in the middle of a storm, and don’t sell your umbrella on a sunny day. It’s a reminder that your current reality is temporary, whether it’s bliss or bedlam.

This isn’t about denying your feelings; it’s about expanding your perspective. When you’re stuck in traffic, the phrase isn’t a dismissal—it’s a lifeline to patience.

Fun Fact: The Lincoln Connection

Abraham Lincoln famously used this phrase in a speech before the Civil War. He heard it from an Eastern philosopher and used it to comfort a nation. If it worked during a literal civil war, it can work during your Monday morning meeting.

Pop culture loves it too. From Fleetwood Mac’s “Don’t Stop” to modern mindfulness apps, the idea that “this is fleeting” is the ultimate wellness hack. It’s the original mindfulness mantra, long before meditation studios charged $30 a class.

Practical Tips for the ‘Passing’

Use this perspective as a tool, not a trite slogan. When you feel overloaded, whisper it out loud. The physical act of saying the words can shift your brain from panic to peace.

Write it on a sticky note and put it on your mirror. The ancient kings had rings; you have sticky notes and phone wallpapers. Upgrade your tech with a simple background that reads “This too shall pass” in a clean font.

Pair it with a physical anchor. Touch a ring on your finger or tap your wrist three times. This creates a mind-body connection that makes the truth hit deeper than just thinking it.

The ‘Good’ Side of the Coin

Here is the sneaky part of the wisdom: it applies to the good times too. That perfect vacation, that promotion, that amazing slice of chocolate cake—it will pass. Don’t be a Grinch; savor it.

If you only use the phrase when you’re sad, you’re missing half the lesson. The complete version is a call to gratitude in good times and hope in hard times. It keeps you humble and hungry at the same time.

It’s the emotional equivalent of knowing the tide will come back in. You don’t fight the waves; you learn to float.

A Little Cultural Context

The saying appears in Jewish folklore, Persian poetry, and even a sermon by the great preacher Charles Spurgeon. He called it “a text for all seasons.” It’s a multi-faith, multi-generational hug.

In modern psychology, this is called radical acceptance. Therapists teach it to help people stop fighting reality. The Bible just got there first, with better poetry and less jargon.

Next time you hear a friend say, “Ugh, this week is terrible,” you can gently drop this gem. It’s not dismissive; it’s a reminder that even the longest week has only 168 hours.

Your Daily Life Connection

Reflection doesn’t have to be a big production. Tonight, as you brush your teeth, just think about one thing that felt hard today. Then say, out loud, “That will pass.”

Then think of one tiny joy—the taste of your coffee, a laugh with a coworker. Say, “This was good, and it passed, and I’m grateful.” That’s not religious; that’s sanity maintenance.

Life is a series of moments, each one wearing a different mask. The KJV Bible calls us to see beyond the mask to eternity. This simple phrase is your tap on the shoulder, reminding you that you are bigger than your current chapter.

So, whether you are on a mountaintop or in a valley, breathe. The mountaintop won’t last forever, and neither will the valley. And that, right there, is the hope that keeps you going.