Verses about Anxiety in the Bible

There are numerous verses about anxiety in the Bible, the debilitating state of mind that makes it difficult to function or to even think of anything other than the nagging thoughts whirling around in your head. Not only can it rob you of the gift of today, but it also impacts your relationship with God and the plans for good He has for your life (Jeremiah 29:11).

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

When your mind is racing and your stomach feels tied up in knots, that piece of advice may seem like a tall order, easier said than done. However, know this. Your battle is a spiritual one that needs to be fought with spiritual weapons, “not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

You are up against a powerful enemy whose mission is to destroy you by gaining control of your thoughts. He’ll do everything in his power to make you doubt the goodness of God and get you to refute the truth of His Word. The good news is that you don’t have to be a victim of your circumstances, nor a slave to your emotions. God has provided a way of escape through Jesus and prayer. True peace comes only from a relationship with Jesus.

Jesus beckons you to cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). If you have not already done so, surrender to his kingship. Pass over to Him the reins to your life.

Only then will you be able to experience the promise recorded in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Overcoming anxiety takes effort, but you can do it with the help of the Word of God, a mighty weapon the enemy is unable to withstand. It is the “sword of the spirit,” alive and powerful, and sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Learn to wield it by training yourself to see things from God’s perspective so you can replace every contrary thought coming against you with a faith-filled one.

Let the words of Romans 12:2 be your guide. “Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think of things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8).

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. – Proverbs 4:23

Pay careful attention to your thoughts and the words that come out of your mouth. Cancel every negative statement that contradicts the Word of God, and replace it with a positive, faith-filled one as soon as you become aware of it. Look for things to be thankful for and choose to be joyful even when you don’t feel like it.

The joy of the LORD is your strength. – Nehemiah 8:10

Every day you will face situations that require a choice – the choice to worry and stress about them, or the choice to look up to God and ask Him for His help. Focus on God instead of your problems and trust that His power to be displayed in you (Acts 16:25-26).

God “inhabits the praises of His people” (Psalm 22:3), and “in His presence, there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11). Praise and thanksgiving are strong weapons and occasions in which God manifests Himself on your behalf, causing the enemy to flee (2 Chronicles 20:22).

In times of doubt, search your Bible to see what God has to say about your particular situation. Then dwell on that, rather than on what the world has to say about it. Talk to your problems instead of about them (Mark 11:23). Replace old thought patterns with Biblical ones, becoming inwardly moved by the Word of God rather than by the outward appearance of things. Train yourself to filter what the world says through what the Word says.

Verses about Anxiety in the Bible

One of the best ways to bring about this change of mindset is by meditating on the Word. You can use the following list of verses to get you started and then add your own. Doing this until it becomes second nature to you, will strengthen your faith, build hope in your heart, and be a reminder that nothing is impossible for God (Matthew 19:26).

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

God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. – Psalm 57:7

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. – Proverbs 3:5-6

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. … Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:1-4

You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our Savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas. – Psalm 65:5

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. – Isaiah 43:2

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. – Romans 8:38

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LPRD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. – Jeremiah 17:7-8

Cast your burden on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken. – Psalm 55:22

Christian Counseling for Anxiety

If you’re looking for additional support beyond these verses about anxiety in the Bible, feel free to contact me or one of the other counselors in the online counselor directory. We would be happy to meet with you to discuss practical techniques for managing anxiety from a Christian perspective.