Bible Verses About Anxiety

The Bible directly addresses anxiety and worry, providing both comfort and practical solutions. From Jesus' teaching about not worrying about tomorrow to Paul's prescription for prayer over anxiety, Scripture offers hope and peace for troubled hearts.

11 Verses

1. 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."
Written from prison, Paul provides a four-step prescription for anxiety: don't be anxious, pray about everything, request with thanksgiving, and receive God's peace. The Greek word "merimnaō" means "to be pulled in different directions" - exactly how anxiety feels. Paul contrasts this scattered state with focused prayer that results in divine peace that "guards" (Greek: phroureo, a military term for standing watch) our hearts and minds (BibleHub Commentaries).

2. 1 Peter 5:7

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
The verb "cast" (Greek: epiriptō) means to throw upon or hurl, suggesting a decisive action of transferring our burdens to God. This follows Peter's call to humility - recognizing we cannot carry life's anxieties alone but must depend on God's care. The word "care" appears twice in different Greek forms: our cares (merimna - anxious thoughts) versus God's care (melo - loving concern). It's a play on words showing the contrast between our worried caring and God's loving care (BibleHub Commentaries).

3. Matthew 6:34

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount teaching on worry, following His instruction to seek God's kingdom first. Jesus uses practical wisdom - worrying about future troubles adds today's burden to tomorrow's, creating double suffering. The phrase "sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" means each day has enough challenges without borrowing trouble from the future. This verse concludes a passage where Jesus repeatedly says "do not worry" six times (BibleHub Commentaries).

4. 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."
God speaks to Israel facing exile and uncertainty with a four-fold assurance. "Do not fear" addresses anxiety, "do not be dismayed" addresses discouragement. God counters fear with His presence ("I am with you") and relationship ("I am your God"), then promises three actions: strengthen (give inner fortitude), help (provide assistance), and uphold (maintain and support). The "righteous right hand" represents God's power exercised in justice and faithfulness (BibleHub Commentaries).

5. 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."
Jesus' farewell discourse before His crucifixion, promising His disciples a peace different from worldly peace. While worldly peace depends on circumstances, Jesus' peace transcends situations. The Greek word "eirene" means wholeness and harmony, not merely absence of conflict. Jesus gives this as a present gift ("I give you") and lasting legacy ("I leave with you"). The command "do not let" indicates we have choice in allowing our hearts to be troubled (Ligonier Ministries Commentary).

6. Psalm 55:22

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."
David writes this psalm during personal betrayal and distress, possibly during Absalom's rebellion. The Hebrew word "yahab" (cast) means to hurl or throw, suggesting forceful release of burdens. "Sustain" (Hebrew: kul) means to contain, support, and nourish - God doesn't just take our burdens but actively cares for us. The promise that the righteous will not be "shaken" doesn't guarantee absence of trials but assurance of God's stabilizing presence (David Guzik Commentary).

7. Proverbs 12:25

"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."
This proverb contrasts the physical and emotional weight of anxiety with the power of encouraging words. The Hebrew "da'agah" (anxiety) literally means to be afraid or concerned, while "shabach" (stoop/weigh down) suggests being bent over under a load. The "good word" can be encouragement from others or God's word itself. This shows both the real impact of anxiety and the healing power of right words, highlighting the importance of community and biblical truth in mental health (BibleHub Commentaries).

8. 2 Timothy 1:7

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
Paul encourages Timothy who may have been struggling with timidity in ministry. The "spirit" here isn't the Holy Spirit but our human spirit or disposition. God doesn't create fearful dispositions but empowers us with three qualities: "power" (Greek: dunamis - miraculous power), "love" (agape - sacrificial love), and "sound mind" (sophronismos - self-discipline, sound judgment). This trinity of divine gifts counters the paralysis of fear with divine enablement (Adam Clarke Commentary).

9. Psalm 139:23-24

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
David concludes this psalm of God's omniscience with a prayer for divine examination. The Hebrew "sar'aph" (anxious thoughts) literally means "disquieting, worrying thoughts." Rather than hiding anxiety from God, David invites divine scrutiny, recognizing that God already knows our thoughts anyway. This prayer shows healthy spiritual practice - bringing our anxious thoughts to God for examination, confession of any sin, and guidance toward His eternal ways (BibleHub Commentaries).

10. Matthew 6:25-34

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?"
Jesus teaches against anxiety by pointing to God's care for creation. The Greek "merimnao" means to be pulled in different directions, to be distracted with cares. Christ gives logical arguments: life is greater than sustenance, God feeds birds, worry cannot add time to life, and flowers surpass Solomon's glory without effort. The remedy is seeking God's kingdom first with the promise that necessities will be provided (BibleHub Commentaries).

11. Psalm 94:19

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy."
The psalmist's testimony of God's comfort amid overwhelming thoughts. "Anxiety/cares" (sar'appim) refers to troubling, disquieting thoughts that multiply and overwhelm. God's "consolations/comforts" (tanchumim) are divine encouragements that bring relief and joy to the troubled soul. This verse acknowledges that believers do experience overwhelming anxiety but also testifies to God's faithful comfort that transforms despair into delight (BibleHub Commentaries).

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