40 Bible Verses to Help You Overcome Anxiety
In the United States, an estimated 40 million adults suffer from anxiety, making it one of the most common mental health issues faced by Americans. Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their life, and it can be a normal response to certain life events. But when anxiety becomes excessive or ongoing, it can be a sign of an anxiety disorder that requires treatment.
Anxiety can manifest itself in our bodies as head aches or stomach aches. It can affect our behavior, causing us to erupt in violent anger or cower in fear. Many people toss and turn through sleepless nights plagued by anxious thoughts.
While anxiety is expressed outwardly in our body and behavior, it is rooted in our thoughts. The mind is the battleground where victory over anxiety can be won. By focusing our thoughts on the promises of God, our anxieties and fears can be relieved.
The following Bible verses for anxiety offer us guidance and reassurance when we are feeling anxious or overwhelmed. In Philippians 4:6, we are reminded not to be anxious about anything, but to bring our requests to God in prayer with thanksgiving.
1 Peter 5:6-7 encourages us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and cast all our anxieties on Him, because He cares for us.
Isaiah 35:4 tells us to be strong and fear not, for God will come and save us.
Psalm 127:2 reminds us that our labors will be in vain if we are full of anxious toil, but that God will give sleep to His beloved.
Our faith in God can be a powerful tool for overcoming anxiety. The Bible provides us with comforting verses to help us stay rooted in our faith during difficult times. We can draw strength from the knowledge that God is with us and has promised to never forsake us. Through prayer and thanksgiving, we can let go of our anxieties and rest in the peace that God provides.
Bible Verses for Anxiety
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Psalm 127:2
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
Isaiah 35:4
Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”
Jeremiah 17:8
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.
Do Not Be Anxious
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Matthew 6:27-29
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 6:30-33
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Mark 13:11
And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Luke 10:40-42
But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 12:24-26
Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
1 Corinthians 7:32-34
I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.
Take Your Anxious Thoughts Captive
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
John 8:31-32
If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Do Not Be Troubled
Psalm 34:17
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
Psalm 42:5
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
John 14:1
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
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.
Do Not Fear
Psalm 34:4
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Isaiah 41:10
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.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Hebrews 13:5-6
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled.
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Be Strong
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Isaiah 35:4
Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”
Isaiah 40:31
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Trust in the Lord
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.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, 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.
Cast Your Cares upon God
Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Receive God’s Peace
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.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
A Prayer to Overcome Anxiety
God,
You have called me out of darkness into your marvelous light. You see my despair, but you have not abandoned me to it. You are reaching into this world to give me joy.
Lord, I confess that I am struggling with anxious thoughts. My fears and doubts are overwhelming me. I give them to you and ask that you would replace my doubts with your truth.
Thank you for the kindness that you show me each and every day. Thank you for never leaving me nor forsaking me.
Help me to place my hope and trust in you. Help me to walk in faith each and every day and to be thankful, remembering your promises and your goodness. Renew my mind with the truth of your word.
Amen.
