Regaining Peace Through Scriptures About Worry

Worry is a thief. Not only does it rob us of our joy and peace as we think about the various ways things might not go according to plan, but it also robs us of our present. Instead of relishing the present and experiencing each moment in its fullness, we are consumed by what might happen. And when that dreaded future arrives, we find ourselves caught up worrying once again about what comes next.

All of us worry. Between our jobs, the health of our family, our finances, and the things happening in the world around us, we have a lot of fodder for worry. Our minds and hearts are constantly restless, wondering about what might happen, what could go wrong, and how best we can prepare for the worst.

Though objectively we are living in a time and a place where we are safer, live longer, and have more resources at our disposal than in generations past, we aren’t happy, and we don’t feel at peace. Worry, fear, and anxiety constantly gnaw at us. But the Bible reminds us that our joy and peace can transcend our present circumstances.

Scriptures About Worry

In the Bible we meet people like Paul and Silas who were singing hymns of praise to God while they were sitting in jail (Acts 16), and we meet Peter and the apostles who, despite being arrested, beaten, and threatened with death for preaching about Jesus, rejoiced “because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name of Jesus” (Acts 5). Maybe we are missing something, and Scriptures about worry can help us have the same joy and peace that these biblical figures had.

Below are some Scriptures about worry that can help us not be consumed by fear and anxiety. These Scriptures about worry remind us of who God is, that there is nothing outside His control. And though we may go through tough times, God is with us, God is walking with us, and God knows how our present circumstances will turn out and the purposes He has for us.

It takes a radical amount of trust to walk into the unknowns of life without fear, but when we see the character of God, the futility of worrying about the unknown, and the joy that could be ours if we relinquish our worry and anxiety, the better choice becomes clear.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid… I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. – John 14:27; 16:33

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

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothes?… Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:25, 34

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. – Philippians 4:6-7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

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. – Jeremiah 17:7-8

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. – Jeremiah 29:11-12

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

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. – Psalm 34:4

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. – Psalm 56:3

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. – Matthew 6:27-28

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. – Psalm 59:16

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? …But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. – Luke 12:25, 28-30

Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? – Psalm 118:5-6

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose… If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns?

No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8: 28, 31-39

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:8-9 

We don’t have to worry about what comes next and is around the corner for us – God knows us intimately, and he knows every detail of our lives from beginning to end. Instead of letting worry shape our days, we can lay our concerns before the Lord and trust that he loves us and will carry us through even our hardest days. That way lies joy and peace.

And when we are struggling, we can pray the words of Psalm 6:2-4: “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord — how long? Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.” In his unwavering love, God will answer our prayers.

Christian Counseling for Anxiety

If you’re looking for additional support beyond these Scriptures about worry, I invite you to contact me or one of the other counselors in the online counselor directory. Reach out to our reception team today to schedule an appointment for counseling for anxiety.