Anxiety and worry are feelings that nearly everyone experiences. When life gets overwhelming, it’s easy to feel anxious or fearful – often we don’t even need a good reason to be anxious. The good news is that the Bible has a lot to say about anxiety, fear, and worry, and it offers hope and guidance for those struggling with an anxious heart. God’s Word reminds us that we don’t have to handle our fears alone – we can turn to Him for comfort, strength, and peace.
In Scripture, God repeatedly encourages His people “do not be afraid” and “do not worry.” Far from being a harsh command, these words are a loving invitation to trust Him. What does God say about worrying? He tells us that even though anxious thoughts can weigh us down, we can cast our cares on Him and receive a peace that “transcends all understanding.” Below are some of the best Bible verses for anxiety and worry, along with explanations of why each verse is helpful and what it means. These encouraging scriptures show what the Bible says about anxiety and how we can rely on God when we feel anxious.
1: Philippians 4:6-7 – Do Not Be Anxious About Anything
“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 Explore this verse )
This anxiety Bible verse reminds us that prayer and thanksgiving is the antidote to anxiety. Paul encourages believers to take everything that makes us anxious and turn it into a prayer.
Rather than being consumed by worry, we are invited to pray about everything and thank God as we make our requests for his intervention in our lives. The promise is that God’s peace will fill our hearts and minds. This peace is supernatural and it “transcends all understanding,” meaning it goes beyond what we can comprehend. In moments of anxiety, Philippians 4:6-7 assures us that when we pray, instead of worrying, God will replace our anxiety with peace. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to handle stress on our own; we can bring every concern to God – trust and abide in him.
A fascinating fact is you cannot feel thankful and anxious at the same time! Focus on and thank God for what you are grateful for in any stage in your life.
2: 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast Your Anxiety on Him
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” ( 1 Peter 5:7 Explore this verse )
Here the Apostle Peter gives a simple but powerful instruction: give your worries to God. To “cast” literally means to throw or dump something onto someone else. God invites us to throw all of our anxieties onto Him. Why? Because He cares for you. When you feel anxious or weighed down by worry, remember that God truly cares about what you’re going through. He doesn’t want you to carry those burdens alone. We can trust that He loves us, cares for us and our situation. Similar to the previous verse, Casting your anxiety on God means praying and surrendering control to Him, trusting that He will take care of you. You are not bothering God with your worries – He welcomes you to come to Him with whatever is making you anxious.
This also means being honest with God. Tell him why you may be frustrated and weighed down. It can be hard not to blame him when we find ourselves in difficult situations. Share these frustrations and walk with him rather than away from him.
Also check out: 10 Bible Verses About Identity in Christ
3: Matthew 6:34 – Do Not Worry About Tomorrow
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ( Matthew 6:34 Explore this verse )
These words of Jesus come from the Sermon on the Mount where He teaches about trusting God instead of worrying. “Do not worry about tomorrow” is a gentle command to focus on today and trust God for the future. Jesus reminds us that we can get overwhelmed by dwelling on the future we often cannot control.
God gives us grace for today. Each day has its own troubles, and God will help us handle one day at a time. When anxious thoughts about tomorrow creep in, we can remember that God is already in tomorrow. Our heavenly Father knows our needs.
“as a loving Father, already knows what his followers needs” ( Matthew 6:32 Explore this verse )
He will take care of us. This verse encourages us to live in the present, rely on God’s provision, and let go of the worries about the future that we cannot control.
4: Isaiah 41:10 – Fear Not, For I Am With You
“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 Explore this verse )
This is one of the most comforting scriptures on fear and anxiety in the Bible. God Himself speaks these words, assuring us of His presence. When He says “fear not”, it’s because He is with us. We are not alone in our struggles.
“Do not be dismayed” reminds us we shouldn’t panic or lose hope, because God is our God – a personal, caring God who watches over us. He promises, “I will strengthen you and help you.” If you feel weak and exhausted by anxiety or depression, God’s strength can sustain you.
He upholds us with His righteous hand, meaning He will support and steady us when we feel like we’re falling. Isaiah 41:10 is a powerful reminder that we can find courage because of God’s presence and strength. In times of fear, we can cling to this verse and remember that God is by our side, giving us the strength to carry on.
When you are carrying anxiety it is the perfect time to soak in his presence, lay your eyes on him and keep them there.
5: John 14:27 – Peace I Leave With You
“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 Explore this verse )
Jesus spoke this to His disciples before His crucifixion, promising to give them His peace. The peace Jesus gives is different from what the world offers. Worldly peace might depend on circumstances, but Christ’s peace stays with us even in chaos. He tells us “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” This is a tender command not to live in constant worry.
Jesus knows the worries of our heart, and He wants to calm them with His presence. Whenever anxiety starts to rise, we can remember that Jesus has given us His peace. Through prayer, we can ask the Holy Spirit (often called the Comforter!) to fill our hearts with the peace of Christ.
This verse reassures us that God’s peace is a gift. This is a gift we all have access to and is freely available to all of us.
6: Joshua 1:9 – Be Strong and Courageous
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” ( Joshua 1:9 Explore this verse )
God spoke these words to Joshua when he was about to lead Israel into the Promised Land – a daunting task that surely brought anxiety. This verse contains both a command and a promise. “Be strong and courageous” is God’s call to move forward in faith, not held back by fear. He then says “do not be afraid or discouraged” because God will be with you wherever you go. Even if we feel nervous or inadequate, we are reminded that God’s presence goes with us. We can find strength and courage knowing that we never face our challenges alone.
Joshua 1:9 encourages us to replace fear with faith. Remember that God is by our side, and that gives us the courage to keep going.
7: 2 Timothy 1:7 – Spirit of Power, Not Fear
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” ( 2 Timothy 1:7 Explore this verse )
God is not the one who gives us a fearful spirit. Instead, through the Holy Spirit, God gives us power, love, and a sound mind (or self-control depending on translation).
A “sound mind” means a clear, disciplined mind at peace – the opposite of a mind overwhelmed by anxiety. When you feel paralyzed by fear or racing anxious thoughts, remember that those feelings do not come from God. God’s Spirit in us brings courage and strength. He empowers us to face challenges with love and self-discipline rather than panic. Scripture on worry and stress like this one reminds us that through God’s Spirit, we can overcome fear.
8: Proverbs 12:25 – Anxiety Weighs the Heart Down
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” ( Proverbs 12:25 Explore this verse )
This short proverb paints a vivid picture of what worry does to us. Anxiety feels like a weight on the heart – it drags us down emotionally and even physically. If you’ve ever been extremely anxious, you know it can feel hard to even stand or breathe under that heaviness.
But the second half of this verse offers a remedy: a kind word can cheer up an anxious heart. This word can come from Scripture or from a friend’s encouragement. It reminds us how powerful words of encouragement are when we feel low.
When anxiety is weighing you down, seek out uplifting truths – read encouraging Bible verses for anxiety, or talk to someone who can speak life and hope to you.
9: Psalm 55:22 – Cast Your Burden on the Lord
“Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” ( Psalm 55:22 Explore this verse )
This verse from the Psalms echoes the theme of giving our burdens to God. We are invited to cast (throw) our cares, worries, and burdens onto the Lord. When we do, God promises to sustain us. To “sustain” means to support, nourish, and keep going. In other words, God will uphold you through whatever is making you anxious. He will not let you be “shaken” or fall apart when you trust Him with your concerns.
10: He Delivered Me from All My Fears
“I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” ( Psalm 34:4 Explore this verse )
In this verse, the psalmist (King David) is sharing a personal testimony of God’s faithfulness. When David was afraid, he prayed and sought the Lord, and God answered him. God delivered him from all his fears, meaning God relieved and rescued him from what was terrorizing his heart. This encourages us that we can do the same: in times of panic or fear, seek God in prayer. God hears our cries for help. We may not always get an immediate change in our situation, but when we call on the Lord, He gives us comfort.
11: Matthew 11:28 – I Will Give You Rest
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ( Matthew 11:28 Explore this verse )
Jesus calls all who are struggling, stressed, or heavy with worry to come to Him. When anxiety exhausts us, Jesus offers true rest for our souls. “Come to me” implies we should run to Jesus in faith and prayer when we’re overwhelmed.
He is gentle and compassionate, and He promises to give us rest. This doesn’t necessarily mean our problems immediately disappear, but it means He will give us inner rest and renewal.
12: Psalm 94:19 – When Anxiety Was Great Within Me
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” ( Psalm 94:19 Explore this verse )
Here the psalmist speaks honestly about deep anxiety. It paints a picture of someone who is overwhelmed by worry. In those moments, God’s consolation can bring joy to our soul. God is our comforter when we feel anxious.
The second part of this verse shows that God’s comfort has the power to cheer up a sorrowful or anxious soul. When we feel swallowed up by anxiety or depression, we can cry out to God for consolation, and He will surround us with His love and peace.
What to Do When You Feel Anxious
Here are some practical steps rooted in Scripture for what to do when you feel anxious or worried.
Pray and Give Your Worries to God
The first thing to do is pray. Tell God what’s on your mind and ask for His help. Prayer invites God’s peace into your situation as you start to see his will in your life and understand how he loves and cares for you. Remember that prefect love casts out all fear. As you pray and surrender your worries to the Lord, you begin to feel His calming presence.
Remember that God Is with You and Loves You
In moments of panic, remind yourself of God’s promises. God is in control. He has not left you – even if it feels like it sometimes. Take courage knowing God’s presence surrounds you and he always cares.
Share with him your frustrations and even your anger – he wants to walk with you.
Use Controlled Breathing (Square Breathing)
Anxiety often triggers physical responses – racing heart, shallow breathing, and a sense of overwhelm. Square breathing (sometimes called box breathing) is a simple tool that can help your body calm down and come back to a place of rest. It involves breathing in for 4 counts, holding for 4, exhaling for 4, and holding again for 4.
Also check out: 10 Bible Verses About Waiting on God
Soak in His Presence (Worship and Stillness)
One of the most powerful ways to shift your mind and heart from anxiety to peace is to just soak in God’s presence and worship him. This simply means spending intentional time with Him – often through worship, stillness, or quietly sitting with Him without rushing.
Play worship music that reminds you of God’s goodness, sing, or just listen. Allow the lyrics to wash over you. God inhabits the praises of His people. When you worship His presence becomes tangible.
This isn’t about striving but about surrender. Worship shifts our focus from the storm to the One who calms it.
Practice Thankfulness
Gratitude is a biblical weapon against anxiety.
“Do not be anxious about anything… with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” ( Philippians 4:6 Explore this verse )
Thankfulness shifts your focus to what is true, good, and evidence of God’s faithfulness.
When anxiety rises, pause and list things you are grateful for and thank God for them. Thankfulness rewires the mind from spiralling worry into a place of trust.
Take One Day at a Time:
Jesus specifically said not to worry about tomorrow and focus on today. When you’re anxious, try not to project every concern into the future. Focus on getting through today with God’s help. Trust that when tomorrow comes, God will give you new mercies and sufficient grace for that day.
Seek Encouragement and Support
You don’t need to handle anxiety alone. Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or someone from your church who can pray with you and encourage you. Sometimes simply talking about what worries you can bring relief.
Surround yourself with people who will speak life and hope to you, reminding you of God’s truth. Additionally, don’t hesitate to seek professional help or counselling if anxiety becomes overwhelming – God works through wise counsellors too!
