In this blog, we are going to look at over fifteen of the best Bible verses that can bring solace and comfort to people struggling with anxiety. First, we will discuss how reading the Bible helps with mental health conditions like anxiety disorders. Then, we will talk about these verses in more detail.

What are the Best Bible Verses for Anxiety?

Below is a quick list of some of the best Bible verses that can help you when your anxiety gets the better of you:

Matthew 6:27
Philippians 4:6
Timothy 1:7
Hebrews 11:1
Colossians 3:15
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Proverbs 12:25
1 Peter 5:6-8
Psalm 23:4
Psalm 56:3
Jeremiah 17:7
Psalm 139:23
Jeremiah 29:11
Psalm 94:19
Sirach 30:24
Matthew 11:28

How the Bible can Help with Anxiety

Bibliotherapy is a well-accepted supplementary treatment and coping tool for various mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. The Bible too is a book, which can be of use in such conditions.

Researchers have looked into the relationship between religion and symptoms of anxiety disorders. Although a critical review of the literature may reveal contradictory results, there is evidence that anxiety symptoms were negatively related to church attendance, prayer and Bible reading.

Other studies have also indicated that hospice patients depend strongly on the perceived strength of religious beliefs and integral religious values in their coping with imminent death.

Therefore, it can be concluded that religion provides peace of mind for a great number of people. It is evident that religiosity is a potent intervention for those who are religious, and that it shapes and buffers the anxieties as one faces what often is a hostile world.

16 Best Bible Verses for Anxiety

In this section, we are going to explore sixteen such verses that can help with your anxiety. These can be used as prayers, self-affirmations, or cues for resilience and conviction.

Matthew 6:27

“Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan?”

It is true that anxiety takes much of our time. We end up spending countless minutes, maybe even hours, worrying about things that are uncertain. In no way can all this worrying add time to our life.

Instead, it only takes away time, filling it with unpleasant experiences. Matthew 6:27 can help remind you to postpone your worry to when you have the time to spare.

Philippians 4:6

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Ideally, one shouldn’t be anxious about anything because by being cool-headed, we perform better, regardless of the situation. Nevertheless, when we do find ourselves getting anxious, we can try what Philippians 4:6 suggests instead.

Praying and surrendering to a greater power helps us put faith in the unknown. Doing so makes it easier to accept uncertainty. But most importantly, gratitude goes a long way in coping with issues like anxiety and depression.

Timothy 1:7

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”

Timothy 1:7 from the Bible reminds us that we are all capable of impressive resilience, courage, and strength. This is because as humans, we have the potential to deal with whatever challenges come our way.

We can do so by using our power of conviction, compassion, and rational thinking. After all, these are virtues that only our species is capable of.

Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

By reciting Hebrews 11:1, we gently remind ourselves that in times of uncertainty, our faith becomes our anchor. Faith in God and his might gives us confidence because despite not knowing what will happen, we truly believe in our hopes.

It is quite assuring to have strong faith because it helps us stay on track even when we cannot see the fruits of our labour.

Colossians 3:15

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”

Anxiety can be quite an unnerving experience as it causes several bodily symptoms. Your heart starts racing, breaths shorten, your limbs become restless and your muscles go tense.

Colossians 3:15 instructs us to remember that our body is one with the Lord, and if his is in peace, ours can be too. It reminds us to relax and reestablish calm.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16, much like the previous verse mentioned, prompts us to find peace within us. This peace is brought by our faith in the Lord.

By accepting his power of granting us peace, we can also use this verse to share the same wisdom with others. When we seek peace collectively, we’re more likely to achieve it.

Proverbs 12:25

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, … but a kind word cheers it up.”

This particular verse is highly effective when you’re having an anxiety spell because it reminds you of the nature of uncontrollable thoughts. These thoughts spiral into negative cycles and leave you feeling burdened and heavy.

Instead, what we must do is practise some self-compassion. We must replace those negative thoughts with kinder ones and free our hearts of this weight.

1 Peter 5:6-8

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind.”

1 Peter 5:6-8 nudges us to remember that in front of the Lord, we are but children and he will help us whenever we need it. However, we must not take him for granted and ask for what we desire.

If we have anxious thoughts, we must surrender them to him and let him take care of us. This only works if we carry on with our duties with the faith that his love for us will handle all the things beyond our control.

Psalm 23:4

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

The whole idea of a God works wonderfully because we believe that there is a power greater than all of us, who loves us unconditionally and will always take care of us. So, when we are facing the harshest of circumstances, we can get through them fearlessly.

That’s because our trust in the mighty Lord helps us get by, taking comfort and support in him. Reciting Psalm 23:4 helps us imbibe this message.

Psalm 56:3

“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”

Anxiety generally comes accompanied by fear. We’re afraid of a negative outcome that may or may not happen. Quite often, this fear prevents us from being able to take charge, make decisions, and move forward with life.

In moments like these, trusting in the Lord helps one to take the next step. Psalm 56:3 captures this idea in a simple, repeatable sentence.

Jeremiah 17:7

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”

Indeed, one is blessed if their faith is strong enough to trust in the Lord wholeheartedly. When one learns to trust God at all times, even the darkest perils cannot break them because their conviction will always remain steady.

It takes effort to build such a strong foundation of trust in something that we cannot see or touch. But with our confidence in him, we will always feel him.

Psalm 139:23

“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.”

This verse implies that in front of God, we can be our most authentic selves, even if that brings any shame. The Lord, if given a chance to truly see you, will not only forgive you but also show you which thoughts are unhelpful or harmful.

By confiding in him, we can learn how to replace such thoughts with more kind and pure ones. The kind of thoughts that will free us from ailments like anxiety.

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

By putting our faith in God, we can rid ourselves of anxiety as he has a plan for us. This plan consists of good things like prosperity, courage, and resilience, which manifest in the hope that faith brings.

When you believe something like that with conviction, even the worst of situations appear as temporary and with the silver lining of a valuable life lesson.

Psalm 94:19

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”

When we are anxious, we desperately seek some certainty, reassurance, or validation. It is not wrong to seek these things. In fact, it’s quite a natural response.

In times like this, Psalm 94:19 shows us that the consolation we seek is within as the Lord resides within us.

Sirach 30:24

“Jealousy and anger shorten a person’s life, and anxiety brings old age before its time.”

This particular verse is something to live by if we want to avoid being bogged down by anxiety. It shows us just how our thoughts have such a significant impact on the quality of our lives.

By avoiding negative thoughts of envy, by processing our anger in healthy ways, and by fighting our anxiety, we are bound to live longer, younger lives.

Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28 urges us to submit to our faith in times of trouble. By believing in the Lord, we accept that even though we are going through such a difficult time, a divine power out there is looking after us.

God has written our destiny and will deliver us from all evil. Our suffering need not last since we believe in God’s plan.

Conclusion

In this blog, we looked at over fifteen of the best Bible verses that can bring solace and comfort to people struggling with anxiety. First, we discussed how reading the Bible helps with mental health conditions like anxiety disorders. Then, we talked about these verses in more detail.

The Bible verses included in our list were Matthew 6:27, Philippians 4:6, Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 11:1, Colossians 3:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Proverbs 12:25, 1 Peter 5:6-8, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 56:3, Jeremiah 17:7, Psalm 139:23, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 94:19, Sirach 30:24, and Matthew 11:28.

FAQs (Best Bible Verses for Anxiety)

What is the most uplifting Bible verse?

Several verses in the Bible can lift your spirits. One common favourite among believers is Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

“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.”

How do I give my anxiety to God?

Many verses in the Bible ask one to cast their anxiety on to God. These words imply that we need not bear our burdens as stress but leave them to God to look after. For he is willing to carry our load. We must carry on with our duties and let him take care of things we have no control over.

What does God say about worry and fear?

Numerous verses in the Bible reflect what God says about our worries and fears. One such example is 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.”

References

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Best Bible Verses for Anxiety (15+ List)