Worry is a common human emotion that we all experience from time to time. However, the Bible has a lot to say about worry, encouraging us to avoid anxious thoughts and find peace through faith in God. Here are some key Bible verses about worry and anxiety:
Philippians 4:6-7
“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)
This popular verse reminds us not to be worried or anxious about anything. Instead of worrying, we should turn to God in prayer, asking for his help and thanking him for his provision. When we do this, God will grant us supernatural peace to guard our hearts and minds.
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
Just as we would cast a heavy load or burden onto someone else to carry, we can cast all of our anxiety onto God. He cares deeply for us and wants to shoulder our worries.
Matthew 6:25-34
In this lengthy passage that is part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us not to worry about our needs – food, drink, and clothing. He says that life is more than these things. Jesus reminds us that God cares for the birds and flowers, so he will certainly care for our needs as well. He says that we should “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” instead of worrying. God will provide what we need each day if we trust in him.
Psalm 94:19
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” (Psalm 94:19)
This verse acknowledges that anxiety can feel great at times for all of us. In those moments, we can turn to God for his comfort and consolation which brings us joy.
Proverbs 12:25
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” (Proverbs 12:25)
Worry has a physical effect of making our hearts feel weighed down and distressed. However, the remedy is finding encouragement through uplifting words and fellowship with others.
Psalm 55:22
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22)
Similar to 1 Peter 5:7, this verse encourages us to release our burdensome cares to the Lord rather than carrying them ourselves. He will sustain and uphold us so that even in troubling times we will not be shaken.
Isaiah 41:10
“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)
God tells us we do not need to fear or dread anything because he is always with us. He will give us strength, help and uphold us with his righteous right hand.
John 14:27
“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.” (John 14:27)
Jesus promises to give us supernatural peace that comes from him alone. We do not have to let our hearts be troubled by fear or anxiety.
Romans 8:38-39
“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 8:38-39)
Nothing, including any worries or anxious thoughts, can separate us from God’s love. We can take great comfort in his unbreakable love for us.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
God has given us his Holy Spirit which replaces fear with power, love and self-control. We do not need to be afraid.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Jesus invites all who are feeling anxious and overwhelmed to come to him. He will give us rest, as we release our burdens to him and follow his ways.
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Just as God told Joshua, he tells us the same – be strong and courageous. We do not need to be fearful because he promises to always be with us.
Psalm 56:3
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)
There will be times when fear and worry creep up. In those moments, we can declare our trust in God.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“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)
This is an important reminder that we will find peace when we fully trust God rather than relying on our limited human understanding. We need to submit every part of our lives to him.
Psalm 118:5-6
“In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.” (Psalm 118:5-6)
When we call out to God in the midst of anxiety and hardship, he hears and answers us. He is always present so we do not need to give in to fear.
Isaiah 35:4
“Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear.'” (Isaiah 35:4)
This verse tells us what God would say to those struggling with anxiety – be strong and don’t be afraid!
Psalm 46:1-3
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” (Psalm 46:1-3)
Even in the most catastrophic circumstances, like mountains crumbling and waters raging, we need not fear because God is always present as our rock and fortress.
Exodus 14:13-14
“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.’” (Exodus 14:13-14)
When fearful, we can stand firm because God will fight for us. Just like he delivered the Israelites, he will deliver us from harm as well. We can be still and trust.
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” (Psalm 23:4)
Walking through dark times can produce fear. But we can boldly declare that we will not fear because God remains present beside us.
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
If we keep our focus steadfastly on God, he will provide us supernatural peace because of our firm trust in him.
Psalm 121:7-8
“The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8)
God promises to watch over us and keep us from all harm. We can take great comfort knowing he oversees us continually.
Psalm 94:17-18
“Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.” (Psalm 94:17-18)
When we feel like we are slipping into anxiety and fear, God’s unfailing love supports and uplifts us.
Psalm 34:4
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)
This is a great reminder that whenever we actively seek God, he will hear us. He can deliver us from every type of fear.
Psalm 23:1-3
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” (Psalm 23:1-3)
Just as shepherd cares for sheep, guiding them to food and water, God leads us to places of protection and provision as we trust him.
In times of anxiety and worry, the Bible repeatedly tells us to trust in God rather than give in to fearful thoughts. When we lean on him fully, relying on his love and strength, he will grant us unshakeable peace. We can boldly declare that we will not fear, because God is with us. He will uphold us, refresh us and be our ever-present help in trouble.