The Bible has a lot to say about anxiety. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul tells us not to be anxious about anything, but instead to pray about everything with thanksgiving. This is because when we are anxious, we are not trusting God. We are worrying about things that we can’t control, and this robs us of our peace.
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, NIV
Jesus says in Matthew 6:34 that we should not worry about tomorrow, because today has enough worries of its own. Worrying only leads to more anxiety and stress and it’s important to live in the present moment and trust that God will take care of our future.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:34, ESV
In 1 Peter 5:7, we are told to cast all our anxiety on God because He cares for us. When we release our anxiety to Him, He gives us His peace in return. So if you’re feeling anxious about something, remember to pray about it and give it to God. He will give you His peace in exchange.
These bible verses about anxiety remind us that we need to trust God with our worries and concerns. When we do, He will give us peace and strength to handle whatever comes our way.
Key Takeaways on Bible Verses for Anxiety
The Bible contains many verses that can provide comfort, wisdom, and peace when experiencing anxiety. Key verses teach us not to worry and to cast our cares upon God.
Verses in Philippians and 1 Peter instruct us to pray about everything, give thanks, and release our anxieties to God. He will guard our hearts and minds with supernatural peace.
Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6 not to worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough worries of its own so we should live one day at a time trusting God.
Other verses remind us of God’s sovereignty, power, and loving care. He knows our needs and will help us through our times of mental distress.
Isaiah 26:3 promises God will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on Him. Hebrews 13:6 says we can confidently trust in God’s help.
The book of Psalms contains many encouraging verses about finding refuge in God from anxiety. Psalms 34, 37, and 23 are especially relevant.
Bible verses for anxiety focus on developing attitudes of trust, gratitude, and relinquishment of fear. They redirect our focus to the peace and stability only found in Christ.
Meditating on key Scripture passages can help calm anxious thoughts and give a heavenly perspective during times of uncertainty. They shine the light of hope into darkness.
Believing Bible verses on anxiety allows God’s powerful Word to renew our minds and provide comfort amidst mental turmoil. His truth dispels irrational worries.
Mental versus Spiritual Anxiety
There are two types of anxiety that people commonly experience: mental anxiety and spiritual anxiety.
Mental anxiety is characterized by a feeling of unease or worry. It can be accompanied by physical symptoms like racing heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing.
Spiritual anxiety, on the other hand, is often marked by a sense of dread or foreboding and a sense of disconnection from something larger than oneself, particularly about the future and your place in a world of sin. This type of anxiety can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair.
Both mental and spiritual anxiety can be debilitating, but they each require different approaches. Mental anxiety can often be alleviated through medication and therapy, while spiritual anxiety may require a more holistic approach that includes prayer, meditation, and self-reflection. No matter what type of anxiety you’re experiencing, it’s important to seek out help from a qualified professional and find relief.
What does it mean to Feel Anxious?
Generally, anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry, fear, and dread, that can range from mild to severe.
Everyone feels anxious at some point in their lives. For some people, however, anxiety can be a chronic condition that interferes with daily activities. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in the United States. There are different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias. Symptoms of anxiety can include: feeling restless or on edge, being easily fatigued, having difficulty concentrating, experiencing muscle tension, trouble sleeping, and sweating. Treatment for anxiety usually includes counseling and medication.
We hope these anxiety Bible verses can help you when you are in need and the good news is whether it’s mental or spiritual anxiety, just remember that the Lord is here to help “all their troubles.”
Bible Verses about Anxiety
3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 26:3, KJV
6 So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6, NIV
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Colossians 3:15, NLT
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
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.”
Jeremiah 17:7–8, ESV
22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?
Luke 12:22-26, NKJV
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30, KJV
4 say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”
Isaiah 35:4, NIV
22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.
Matthew 13:22, NLT
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6, KJV
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John 14:1-4, NIV
10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
1 Peter 5:10, NLT
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
Philippians 1:6-7, ESV
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry 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? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
Matthew 6:25-27, NKJV
30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
Matthew 6:30-31, NIV
13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
Philippians 3:13, NLT
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
Psalm 37:7-9, KJV
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34, NIV
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4, NLT
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
Psalm 34:17, NKJV
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalm 23:1-4, KJV
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,
but a kind word cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:25, NIV
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4, ESV
14 Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 34:14, NKJV
19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.
Psalm 94:19, NIV
38 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. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39, NLT
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13, NIV
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
2 Timothy 1:7-8, NIV
FAQs
What Bible verses help with anxiety?
Some of the most helpful Bible verses for dealing with anxiety include Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 6:34, 1 Peter 5:7, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 46:1-2, and Proverbs 3:5-6. These verses instruct us to seek God rather than worry and offer hope, reassurance, and guidance.
Where in the Bible does it talk about anxiety?
In addition to Philippians 4:6, other key passages about anxiety include Matthew 6:25-34 where Jesus teaches that we should not worry about our needs because God will provide for us. 1 Peter 5:6-7 encourages us to cast all our anxiety on God.
What does the Bible say about controlling anxiety?
The Bible teaches we should not be controlled by anxiety but instead trust God, focus our thoughts on Him, pray about all things, and release our burdens to Christ. This enables us to experience supernatural peace that guards our hearts and minds. (Philippians 4:6-7)
How can I relieve anxiety Biblically?
The Bible gives many tips for relieving anxiety in a godly way including regular prayer, meditation on Scripture, thanksgiving, singing worship songs, releasing our cares to God, and service to others. Staying focused on God provides stability amidst anxiety.
What Bible stories help with anxiety?
Bible stories that help with anxiety include David finding peace in God’s presence when afraid (Psalm 56:3), Jesus calming the storm to alleviate the disciples’ fears (Mark 4:35-41), God providing manna and quail when Israelites worried about provisions (Exodus 16), and Jesus encouraging the anxious Martha (Luke 10:38-42).
Does the Bible say anxiety is a sin?
The Bible does not directly state that feeling anxious is sinful. However, Scripture does warn against crippling worry and promotes trusting God’s sovereign care. Faith in God’s power and promises provides freedom from ongoing anxiety.
How do you pray for anxiety?
Prayers for anxiety include asking God for peace in your mind and heart, expressing your worries openly to Him, requesting His comfort and reassurance, thanking Him that He cares and is in control, surrendering anxious thoughts to Christ, and asking for God’s healing of anxious thinking.
