10 Bible Verses to Overcome Anxiety and Worry

Anxiety. Stress. Two realities that have become increasingly common in today’s world. So many people struggle with feelings of anxiety on a regular basis, and many feel the heavy burden of stress weighing them down.

We try medications and meditations. We try therapy and deep breathing.

I think it’s time to turn to the One who created us. The One who understands us better than we understand ourselves—our Lord and Savior.

The Bible is filled with amazing verses that convey God’s truth on this very topic.

Would you consider “fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2)? Before attempting every possible solution to assist with your anxiety and worry, look to Jesus, the only One who can truly provide freedom from our anxious thoughts.

Let’s Dive into Scripture

Memorizing God’s Word.

Hiding God’s Word in your heart.

Reflecting on God’s truth.

Meditating on His word day and night.

These very things can make a world of difference with the stress and anxiety you face. Don’t underestimate the power of God’s Word! Hebrews 4:12 says, “for the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.”

That’s the kind of power I need in my life. How about you?!

I’ve definitely struggled with anxiety and stress over the years. And I still do. But I now know and have experienced where true peace is found-with Jesus.

Come along as we explore and reflect on some powerful Bible verses about anxiety and worry!

1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

Give your anxiety to Jesus. Fully and completely. All of it. Not just some of it. Cast ALL your anxiety on Him.

Why? Because He cares for you, truly and deeply, for you and your needs. The One who will always care for you and about you. Luke 12 illustrates this by explaining how God cares for the birds, emphasizing “how much more valuable you are than birds! (vs. 26)

We shouldn’t bottle up our anxiety and stress, nor should we unload it onto our loved ones. God encourages us to surrender our burdens to Him, whatever they might be. He should be the first person we turn to!

Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer is the answer you’re searching for. Accompanied with thanksgiving. I appreciate this perspective as it encourages us to concentrate on our blessings. By focusing more on what we are grateful for, we shift our attention towards God and His blessings.

We are told to present (or give) our requests to God. Once we entrust them to God, we no longer need to cling to them. They are in God’s hands now. Our anxiety about an upcoming career change. Our worries about a child’s behavior. No matter what worries we have, give them to God.

This act leads to peace, a peace that comes from God and transcends (or surpasses) all understanding. It’s beyond our grasp to understand. Prayer can bring about a sense of peace, that will shield our hearts and minds against these anxious-filled thoughts.

Have you ever experienced this type of peace and tranquility in your life?

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.

This spirit of fear and anxiety is NOT from God. He desires to liberate us from these feelings and bestow upon us His peace. You don’t have to just live with it, you can experience freedom in Christ.

On the other hand, he has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. It’s important to remember that these good things come from God. As a child of God, the Holy Spirit is active within you, empowering you in your life. You are no longer bound to live with crippling fear and anxiety. You possess a sound mind, characterized by a calm and self-controlled mind. Not a mind that is constantly swirling with worries and fears.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

We tend to place trust in ourselves and our abilities. It can be challenging to trust someone else, yet it’s essential to trust the ONE who gave us life and sacrificed His Son for us. His is the only One worthy of complete trust.

With ALL your heart. In ALL your ways. It’s easy to trust God with certain aspects while holding onto others. This verse advises to trust with ALL your heart, not just parts of it.

Does this sound familiar? “Well God, I’ll trust you with my marriage, but not with our finances. I need to control that myself.”

Instead, surrender everything to Him. Trust Him with your children, your career, your marriage, your finances, and any other areas of life that may (and probably will!) cause you stress and worry.

We should not rely solely on our understanding of circumstances, but on God. Our perspective is limited, but God sees the grander scheme. He considers eternity, or growth and our character. So, trust Him with it all. The more we trust God rather than ourselves, the less we’ll have to worry and be anxious.

Matthew 6:34 – Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Do your anxieties primarily concern the future? Are you apprehensive about what tomorrow may hold? The message is clear: Do not worry about tomorrow.

Embrace each day as it comes, and handle things one day at a time. We have absolutely no idea what the rest of today holds, let alone next week. There’s no advantage in dwelling on tomorrow and the “What ifs.”

Exploring the previous verse is beneficial: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” A wiser idea than worrying is to pursue God and live for Him.

Psalm 94:19 – When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

Another translation reads, “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul” (NKJV). It is God who brings joy and delight to the author of this Psalm, amidst the great anxieties waging war within him.

We all experience times when we feel overwhelmed by anxieties, but God’s comfort and peace are always available to us.

How do we experience God’s comfort and solace? By spending time with Him. Immerse yourself in His Word, allowing the biblical truths to wash over you. Engage in prayer and feel His presence in your life.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 – Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

For me, peace is the opposite of anxiety. You either have this dreadful feeling of anxiety or the calm feeling of peace. God is welcome and willing to give us peace at all times and in every way.

Allow it. Let Him be your peace. God is the source of peace and the sole path to true, authentic peace.

Colossians 3:15 – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Again, let peace be the ruling factor in your life, not stress and anxiety. Some of us let our anxiety rule. But this verse says to let the peace of Christ rule.

How is this achieved? Through lots of prayer. The latter part of this passage also highlights another approach: be thankful.

Focus on thankfulness. Embrace gratitude. Reflect on all the positive aspects of your life and express thanks to God for them. Occupy your thoughts with these positives instead of the negatives, stressful ones. By filling your mind with gratitude, there will be less room for worry and anxiety to inch its way in.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 – But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

Picture this: a tree planted by the water, which stays hydrated even under the scorching sun or during a drought. This tree remains healthy and fruitful. Such is the person who places their trust in God.

It does not fear when the heat comes. Amidst life’s trials, it stands confident and strong.

It has no worries in a year of drought. There’s no cause for worry, because the tree is firmly rooted and nourished by God.

Life will have its troubles but worry and anxiety don’t need to dictate our lives. Despite our troubles, we can stand firm in Christ. We can be that tree, with luscious green leaves, bearing much fruit.

Isaiah 43:2 – When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Regardless of the life circumstances we face, God will be with us. Even as we walk through life’s fiercest fires, God is present, protecting and caring for us. When the waters of life seem to pull us under or the fire and smoke threaten to suffocate us, they cannot consume us.

God has promised to be with us through all of life’s trials. He is aware of our fears and recognizes the reality of our anxiety and worries. However, we are not meant to remain in a pit of anxiety. He does not wish for it to consume us, but He wants to lift us out!

No matter the extent of our worries, God is there.

God’s Peace is Within Reach

You cannot simply pray once and expect your anxiety to disappear into thin air. This is a daily thing! It requires daily, even hourly, attention to Bible verses that proclaim God’s truth. You need to be focusing on Jesus over and over again.

Constantly be in prayer! Feeling anxious? Turn to God. Are feelings of fear creeping in? Pray! Are you experiencing stress at work or with your kids? Let God be your guide and Helper.

He wants to! So let Him. Relinquish control and let God be the One in control now. You will begin to experience His peace like never before!