Do you ever wake up in the middle up the night with that uneasy feeling in your stomach or in a night sweat because you are anxious or worried?
Do you feel like anxious thoughts and worry are taking over your day?
We all have days and times when our life events, people in our lives, or even world events (like the coronavirus, the Presidential election, the potential of the stock market crashing) cause us anxiety and worry.
But, God doesn’t want to live in daily fear, stress, and anxiety. In the Bible, He reminds us He is still in control and He knows everything that is happening. Here is how to stay calm with Bible verses on anxiety.
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What is anxiety?
Anxiety has many forms. When we have anxiety, we all might have slightly different symptoms. Common symptoms for anxiety include mental distress and uneasiness, overly concerned about the future. Many times we are anxious about things we cannot control.
Some symptoms of anxiety may include:
- Uneasiness
- Nervousness
- Short temper
- Limited focus/unable to focus
- Not able to sleep/impacted sleep/fatigue
- Frustration/agitation
Anxiety synonyms include worry, deep concern, apprehension, restlessness, and uneasiness.
What anxiety can do to your body?
If we constantly have high levels of stress due to anxiety, our bodies will also be impacted. According to a 2015 study just a few potential health issues anxiety may cause include:
- Asthma
- Heart disease
- Migraine headaches
- Ulcers
- Vision problems
- Back problems
Bible Verse Coloring Pages
Download 12 Free inspiring and calming Bible verse coloring pages. Grab your coloring pencils and take a few minutes to relax.
Bible Verses on Anxiety
Daily activities, parenting, work, homeschooling, and juggling so many things can leave us feeling anxious and worried. Fortunately, there are many Bible verses on how to handle anxiety.
Be anxious for nothing
In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul wrote to be anxious for nothing, but in everything pray. These verses promise peace when we take our worries and concerns to God in prayer.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
When we feel anxiety and worry, our first step is to call out to God. Pray and make our requests and concerns be known to Him.
If you look back and read Philippians 4:4-7, verse 4 starts with these words, “Rejoice in the Lord always…” These verses give us a 3 step formula that will bring us the peace of God.
Start by rejoicing in the Lord, share your graciousness with others and finally don’t be anxious but pray with thanksgiving. By following these 3 steps, we will receive the peace of God.
These verses give us a promise of peace. We can calm our hearts and our heads with the assurance of peace from God. He is in control.
Cast Your Cares on Him
So often we carry our worry and stress around with us. It becomes a huge weight like carrying a heavy backpack every day. Eventually, we become exhausted from the stress we have every day.
The Bible tells us we don’t have to carry this weight and burden every day, we can cast our burdens and anxieties on the Lord.
Casting all your anxieties on Him, because he cares for you.
I Peter 5:7 (ESV)
Did you read those last words? “He cares for you.” Remember, you know that you are not alone. God cares for you personally. He knows you by name.
If you are feeling isolated and alone today, don’t. Take your anxiety, take your problem to Jesus because he cares for you. Yes, you personally.
Strength will be renewed
Worry and anxiety make us tired. But if we wait and walk in faith, we are promised our strength will be renewed.
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
Your Heavenly Father Knows Your Needs
How often we fret about the little things like what will we eat or what will we wear or even where will we live, but Jesus reminded us in Matthew 6, do not be anxious about your life, because the most important things in life are more than food, clothing, and shelter.
God wants us to focus on seeking His kingdom first, and He will take of our needs.
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not your life more than food, and your body more than clothing?…For the Gentiles seek after these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:25, 32-33 (ESV)
As we read through these verses we can see that when we have anxiety and worry in our life (and we all do from time to time), it’s usually because we are not fully trusting God. We think we have a better solution or we are not letting go.
This is the day
Today is the day the Lord has made and what have much to rejoice in.
No matter what happens to us or around us we can find reasons to rejoice in today. As Robert Morgan wrote in his book, 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart, we can rejoice in God’s compassion for us, God’s love for us and God’s grace to us.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 (ESV)
When the events of the day are causing you stress and anxiety, stop and remember, this is the day the Lord has made. He has a plan and purpose for you today.
All these verses tell us the same advice, let God handle our worries and He promises to care for us, strengthen us, renew us, even provide for our most basic needs.
How do we stay calm in difficult times? How do we stop letting worry and anxiety control us?
We take our burdens to Jesus and let lay them down. Just like the hiker removing their heavy backpack. We can also lay down our burden of anxiety and worry and have peace and joy in our lives again.
Hope for Troubled Times
When our hearts are troubled and restless, our best defense is to go to God’s Word.
The Bible has many verses of comfort, hope, and peace. Reading these verses daily, writing them and journaling our thoughts and insights will provide us great assurance.
This Prayer Journal Bundle includes:
- A 30-day Prayer Journal with Bible verses to study on the promises of prayer
- Prayer journal pages
- Prayer lists
- A 30-day Bible journal focused on Bible verses of Hope
Cast your burden on the Lord and let go of your anxiety with this prayer and hope journal.
By daily journaling, you will be strengthening in the hope of Jesus and assurance of your faith.
Click here to get your Prayer Journal Bundle today.
Journals & wall art also sold individually:
We seem to be on the same page with our blog topic this week, Rachel. 🙂 I love all these verses that you have shared … thank you!
Hi Lois, these are powerful verses. They calm our hearts in unsettling and unpredictable times. Rachel