To be human is to have certain levels of stress related to work, family, and life itself. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Anxiety disorders affect nearly 40 million adults ages 18 and up (that’s 19.1% of people in America). This statistic equates to anxiety being the most common mental illness in the U.S. I strongly advocate for people to get treatment for anxiety and have been in counseling myself for issues related to stress, trauma, and anxiety. While Bible verses about anxiety can help, in some Christian communities, getting therapy for anxiety is looked down on. I’m a firm believer that good mental health resources such as therapy, coaching, and medical interventions such as anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications can go together with a person’s religious faith. It never has to be one or the other.
The Bible can offer us peace and comfort during times of anxiety, grief, and depression; however, if you are having symptoms that go beyond what you can handle, I strongly encourage you to reach out to a medical or mental health professional. Bible verses about anxiety can pave the path to reducing stress and remind you that God loves you and is there for you.
Here are 10 impactful and reliable Bible verses about anxiety:
#1 – Trade Anxiety for 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)
#2 – God’s Comforting Calms Anxiety
When my anxieties multiply,
psalm 94:19 (CEB)
your comforting calms me down.
#3 – God is Personally Concerned About Your Anxieties
So, humble yourselves under God’s strong hand, and in his own good time he will lift you up. You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon him, for you are his personal concern.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (J.B. Phillips)
#4 – The Cure for Anxiety
[Jesus says] ‘Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather [the crops] into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?
And who of you by worrying can add one [l]hour to [the length of] his life?
And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin [wool to make clothing], yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’
For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
Matthew 6:25-34 (AMP)
#5 – Positive Words Quell Anxiety
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,
Proverbs 12:25 (ESV)
but a good word makes him glad.
#6 – God Gives Us Strength
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 35:4 (ESV)
#7 – God Can Give You a Rest From Anxiety
‘Are you having a real struggle? Come to me! Are you carrying a big load on your back? Come to me – I’ll give you a rest! Pick up my yoke and put it on; take lessons from me! My heart is gentle, not arrogant. You’ll find the rest you deeply need. 30 My yoke is easy to wear, my load is easy to bear.’
Matthew 11:28-30 (NTE)
#8 – God is Fighting for You
The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.
Exodus 14:14 (ESV)
#9 – God Will Defend You in Times of Anxiety
Leave your troubles with the Lord,
psalm 55:22 (GNT)
and he will defend you;
he never lets honest people be defeated.
#10 – Belief in God Can Help With Anxiety
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
john 14:1 (ESV)
So there you have 10 curated Bible verses to assist you with handling your anxiety. I’d also like to share some additional mental health resources with you for good measure.
Additional Anxiety Resources:
- What You Can Do to Overcome the Effects of Anxiety Disorders, Anxiety & Depression Association of America
- Helping Your Anxious Teen: Positive Parenting Strategies to Help Your Teen Beat Anxiety, Stress, and Worry Amazon
- The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, Amazon
- The Verywell Mind Podcast with Amy Morin
- With the Anxious, Sermon by Tim Keller
What does the Bible say about anxiety?
It’s important to note that the Bible refers to anxiety numerous times (8 times in the English Standard Version). God recognizes anxiety, stress, and depression. He knows us personally and intimately as our creator. It should bring some measure of comfort to know that Jesus lived on earth as a man and experienced anxieties himself. God sent Jesus, his only son, to experience this life in all its humanity. Jesus then proceeded to endure a painful death and rise from the grave to overcome death, so that we might have eternal life through him. He knows our pain. He understands our needs better than we do ourselves. He alone is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
