The symptoms of anxiety are pretty clear: sweaty palms, a racing heart, spinning thoughts, and a pit in your stomach. When anxiety strikes, it can make you feel helpless and alone. Thankfully, there are many Bible verses for anxiety that can help you in those stressful moments. 

Scripture can soothe your anxiety in three main ways: combating lies, shifting your focus, and calming your body and brain. Think of each of these methods like tools in your anxiety tool kit. The next time you feel anxious, use Bible verses to

Combat lies

There is often a lie at the root of our anxious thoughts. So, you can fight it off with the truth of God’s word. For example, you may be anxious because you feel alone and you’re worried about what might happen to you. Then you remember that Jesus said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). So, when that fearful voice starts thinking, “I’m all alone. I can’t handle this by myself,” you remind yourself that God is with you.

Shift your focus

Another way that the Bible can help you fight anxiety is by shifting your focus to something better. Thinking about a comforting verse can help you calm down when those spinning thoughts get out of control. You can pick any verse that encourages you. I particularly like verses that bring a comforting image to mind. Sometimes when I can’t think straight, I can calm down just by thinking about certain verses.

Here are a few Bible verses for anxiety to choose from: 

• “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe.” –Proverbs 18:1
• “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” –Psalm 125:2 
• “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” –Psalm 29:11
• “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

Calm your body and brain

These verses are powerful, and often just thinking about them helps me relax. However, sometimes I get so anxious that my body remains tense even when I’m repeating a Bible verse in my mind. In those moments, I like to breathe with scripture. For example, I’ll take a simple verse like Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Then I will sync up the words with my breathing. On the in-breath, I’ll think, “The Lord is my shepherd.” On the out-breath, I’ll think, “I shall not want.” I will repeat that over and over with each breath. This is a great way to calm your mind and body down during times of high anxiety.  

In addition to these three methods, there are also many Bible verses that mention anxiety directly. I take comfort in this because it assures me that I’m not the only follower of God to ever feel anxious! God has been telling people, “Fear not!” for generations upon generations.

Bible Verses About Anxiety

As you read the verses below, pay attention if one jumps out at you more than the others. If there is a verse that really captures your attention, I encourage you to write it down on a post-it note and put it somewhere that you’ll see it regularly. This could be your bathroom mirror, on your computer, on the backdoor of your house, or on your steering wheel. Having that verse in front of you multiple times a day will help you memorize it and apply it to your life. 

• “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” –Proverbs 12:25

Does your heart feel weighed down by anxiety? Then you need to hear kind words. Remind yourself that you are a beloved child of God. Your anxiety doesn’t define you because your identity is in Christ. If you’re struggling to speak those kind words over yourself, turn to a trusted friend for encouragement.

• “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” –Matthew 6:27

Oh, this verse is such a gut check! Anxiety takes up so much energy but doesn’t accomplish anything. I love this old saying: “Anxiety is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but doesn’t take you far.” Repeating this verse to myself often prompts me to focus on something more productive.

• “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” –1 Peter 5:7

I love the image of throwing all of my anxieties at God’s feet. They seem so heavy and huge in my hands, but then they look microscopically small when they hit the floor of His throne room. I’m so grateful for God’s great love and care for me.

• “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” –John 14:27

Jesus gives us His peace. Just let that sink in. We may not always feel like we have His peace, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not available to us. Ask for Jesus’ peace to cover and comfort you when you’re feeling anxious.

• “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” –Psalm 139:23

When I’m anxious, my instinct is to hide. So, I used to wonder why David was asking God to search out his anxious thoughts. Then I realized that God already knows all about my anxiety. So, this verse is more about recognizing that fact and asking for the light of God’s presence to shine on any dark, anxious corners of my heart.

• “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” –Psalm 55:22

God wants to carry your burdens. He will sustain you, and He won’t let you be shaken. Those are powerful promises that you can cling to in hard times. 

This article contains 12 Bible verses for anxiety, and there are many more to choose from throughout Scripture. I encourage you to take one of the verses mentioned here and commit to memorizing it. Then the next time you feel anxious, repeat that verse to yourself and see how God shows up to comfort you.