This past two years have been seriously hard. And even if you've never struggled with fear and anxiety in the past, you may have found yourself struggling with anxious thoughts.
When anxiety strikes, we can turn to the Word of God for comfort and solace. I hope these Bible Verses About Anxiety will encourage your heart!
What is Anxiety?
It's common for people who experience anxiety to feel a sudden onset of fear, panic or discomfort. It could be sharp chest pains and difficulty breathing as well- it just depends on how severe your situation gets!
The symptoms of anxiety can be triggered by anything from loud noises to smells. You might feel an unusual reaction when someone walks past you or something in the environment reminds you about something negative from your past. Sometimes you have no idea why you feel anxious!
Bible Verses About Anxiety
Romans 15:13
In Romans 15:13, we're reminded that “Our hope comes from God. May He fill you with joy and peace because of your trust in Him. May your hope grow stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Our hope comes from God…not our circumstances, not our environment, not our spouse or our parents or our kids. It is God who can fill you with peace and joy because you trust in Him.
In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we're reminded to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” One of the easiest ways to take our thoughts captive is to replace them with the truth of God's Word…and we can do that by keeping Scripture with you to remind you of that Truth.
One of the reasons I'm so passionate about memorizing Scripture and teaching kids to memorize Bible verses is because those verses often come to mind at the time you need them most.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
It's easy to feel fearful given everything currently going on in our world. We're surrounded by negativity and bombarded by sad and terrifying news every time we open our computer or turn on the TV.
We can combat those negative thoughts by replacing them with the truth of God’s Word.
The Bible is very clear that we will have trouble in this world. John 16:33 says, “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.”
That verse doesn't say you may have trouble…it says you WILL have trouble in this world.
When those troubles come, you can repeat the following Bible verses over and over to remind yourself that you don't have to worry.
These Bible Verses are perfect to read and memorize when you're feeling fearful or anxious.
Bible Verses For Anxiety
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
God cares for you and wants you to cast your anxieties on him. Casting your anxieties on him means giving him your worries and your fears.
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
Life is hard and are burdens can feel heavy. It's easy to feel weary when you're worried and anxious, but when we come close to God, He will give us rest.
One of the reasons I love the Dwell App so much is because I find that we often feel most anxious and worried at night. We don't have work or kids to distract us and we're often left alone with our thoughts and fears and worries.
I love that I can put on the Word of God to distract my anxious heart and to point me to the truth of God's Word.
Psalm 46:10
“Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
This is one of my favorite Scriptures. It's one of the verses included in my Bible Memory Verse Coloring Pages for Kids.
This is one of the hardest things for me to do. To be still. To be calm. To rest in knowing that God is God and that He is on the throne.
If you find your mind and heart racing with anxious thoughts, take a moment to be still. To ask God to make it clear to you that He is God and that He is in control.
Exodus 14:14
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14
I think God may be trying to make us realize that we need to be still. Imagine how much easier our lives would be if we trusted that God would fight for us and that we just needed to be still. Too often we find ourselves trying to fight our own battles and not having the tools or the ability to do it well.
Be still and let God fight for you.
Colossians 3:15
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
Take a deep breath and think about peace. Let that peace fill your heart. As you reflect on all Christ did for your sins—remembering how much He sacrificed so that we could be saved–think also of the spiritual blessings inside this gift from God: His guidance in times of need and comfort during hard times.
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Remember that all things are possible in Christ. God will give us the strength we need to do what He has put in front of us.
Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
The peace that God gives is truly beyond all understanding. In some of the scariest and most challenging times of my life, I have felt God's overwhelming peace.
When anxious thoughts come, we can ask God to give us His peace to guard our hearts and minds.
I hope these verses will encourage you and point you to Jesus when you feel alone or are struggling with fear and anxiety. You can trust the sovereign hand of God to get you through whatever He has allowed you to walk through.
I love the words to the old hymn My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less.
My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
When the shifting sand of the world leaves you feeling anxious and fearful, you can stand on Christ the solid rock.
And if you're looking of a great worship compilation to calm your anxious thoughts, this album (especially the mashup of In Christ Alone, Cornerstone and The Solid Rock) is super powerful.
Other Resources for Anxious Thoughts
One of my absolute favorite resources for keeping scripture in the forefront of my mind and for keeping anxious thoughts at bay is the Dwell app. They have a variety of scripture “playlists” by topic. You can also create your own playlists. I have a sleeping playlist that includes the “A Peaceful Night” and “Peaceful Psalms”.
One of the best ways to combat anxious thoughts is to focus on what you're grateful for. If you've never used a gratitude journal, it can be seriously life changing!
One of the best ways to fight anxiety is with the Armor of God. This Armor of God Bible Study is great at helping you fight anxiety!
Pin These Bible Verses for Anxiety
