Bible Verses about Anxiety: The 49 Powerful

By David Small •  Updated: 02/01/21 •  11 min read

Why do people feel anxious? Anxiety in people is characterized by feelings of worry or fear so strong that it can affect their day-to-day lives.

On certain occasions, it can cause panic and stress. Here are 49 bible verses about anxiety.

In a world, as convulsed as we live in, anxiety disorders are on the rise, and many Christians suffer from anxiety and consequences.

That is why as Christians, we have to focus on Jesus in those overwhelming moments.

When you feel stressed or anxious, remember that Jesus has promised to be with you always, and your Heavenly Father has promised not to abandon or forsake you.

What does the Bible say about anxiety?

The specific causes of anxiety are probably more than can be listed, but some examples from the Bible point to some general causes.

In Genesis 32, Jacob returns home after many years of absence. One of the reasons he had left home was to escape his brother Esau’s wrath, from whom Jacob had stolen his birthright and his Father’s blessing.

Now, as Jacob approaches his homeland, he hears Esau coming to meet him with 400 men. Jacob is immediately anxious, expecting a horrible battle with his brother.

The best-known passage on anxiety comes from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6: 25-34. Our Lord warns us not to be anxious about the various cares of this life.

For the child of God, even necessities like food and clothing are not a cause for concern. Using examples from God’s creation, Jesus teaches that our heavenly Father knows and cares about our needs.

If God takes care of simple things like grass, flowers, and birds, won’t He also take care of people created in His image?

Instead of worrying about things we cannot control, we should seek “first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things [the necessities of life] will be added to us” (verse 33).

Putting God first is a cure for anxiety.

Also Related: 51 Top Bible Verses about Healing a Broken Heart.

Bible Verses About Anxiety

 

Choose not to allow fear and anxiety to control your life.

We can still be afraid, but we can believe that God is with us. May not be in control, but we can trust the one who is. We may not know the future, but we can trust our God that we do.

1. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1: 9)

2. Are not two sparrows sold for a [a]copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)

3. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

4. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

5. I know how to [a]be abased, and I know how to [b]abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through [Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12-13)

6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall [a]direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

These passages will make you feel calmer in the midst of anxiety.

The beginning of this new decade has not been easy for all people. Currently, we have more than 7 billion, and indeed more than half, we have spent in our homes without being able to go out.

All this that we have experienced is possible that generates fear and anxiety, two feelings that affect us daily. The solution is to learn to trust God more.

7. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

8. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying [a]to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. (Revelation 1:17)

9. Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.  (Isaiah 41:10)

10. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)

11. Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5: 7)

12. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with a vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you. (Isaiah 35: 4)

Protect your heart.

Many types of anxieties lead us to various kinds of behavior, even falling into depression. Whatever the type of anxiety we suffer from, God is always there to help us and comfort our soul, our mind, and our body.

13. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to [a]bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

14. But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)

15. You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You Because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26: 3)

16. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

17. Commit[a] your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established. (Proverbs 16:3)

Also Related: Top 55 Proven Bible Verses to Strengthen Your Faith.

Focus your mind on what is right in the midst of uncertain times.

There are so many follies that surround us today: wars, conflicts, persecution, violence, crime, natural disasters, terrorism, economic uncertainty, unemployment, divisions, disease, death.

We fear for our children’s future, we fear for our families, we fear for our financial future, we fear for our safety. The list goes on. There are a lot of things that we could worry about.

However, reality tells us that much of what we spend our time worrying about never happens—living under the weight of “what if” is a difficult place to live.

18. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5: 6-7)

19. Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

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? (Luke 12:22-24)

20. You must not fear them, for the LORD your God Himself fights for you. (Deuteronomy 3:22)

21. But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. (1 Peter 3:14)

22. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1: 7)

23. Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He, Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13: 5)

24. Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. (Proverbs 12:25)

25. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31: 6)

Verses to calm anxiety about what the future holds.

In a world as busy and complicated as the one we have around us, it is widespread to feel tired, stressed, or worried. But that doesn’t mean we should let those feelings take control of our lives.

The scriptures are undoubtedly one of the best sources we can turn to for comfort, peace, and tranquility.

26. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you [a]will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

27. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy of being compared with the glory revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

28. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its things. Sufficient for the day is its trouble. (Matthew 6:34)

29. You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You Because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)

30. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with a vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you. (Isaiah 35:4)

31. In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. (Isaiah 54:14)

32. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. (Ephesians 3:12)

33. So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)

34. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)

35. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not [a]fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

36. But [a]may the God of all grace, who called [b]us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, [c]perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Peter 5:10)

Psalms Bible Verses to calm anxiety.

If you need help overcome hard-to-bear worries, if your day-to-day anxiety is painful, seek God’s Word.

Any verse in the Bible is valuable, but the psalms are especially recommended in situations like these.

37. Yea, 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. (Psalms 23: 4)

38. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27: 1)

39. God is our refuge and strength, A[a] very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46: 1)

40. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah (Psalms 62: 8)

41. If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. (Psalms 94: 18-19)

42. The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.

(Psalms 28: 7)

43. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?  (Psalms 118: 6)

44. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. (Psalm 94: 19)

45. Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be [a]moved. (Psalm 55:22)

46. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:5)

47. The righteous cry out and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)

48. I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. (Psalm 16:8)

49. The LORD also will be a refuge[a] for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9)

In conclusion

We have now shown you these bible verses about anxiety so that they may be helpful to overcome the fear and anxiety that you are most likely going through.

As we have seen, there is nothing better than learning to trust the Lord in his promises. We must depend on him entirely. This is how we can have a much more relaxed life.

It is necessary to be much more focused on the things of God than on the news. You will indeed not find positive things on the news.

In the Bible, we can find many promises, much comfort, and hope, which is very necessary.

David Small

Is an Ordained Minister and Life Coach. He is an ordained minister since 1988. Shortly after receiving Jesus as his personal savior, he answered the call to ministry.