We live in an age of anxiety. From large-scale concerns like natural disasters, political turmoil, and economic uncertainty to personal issues around technology, social media, health, and relationships, we are surrounded daily by more things to worry about than we have time to address. For Gen Z especially, anxiety has reached epidemic proportions, with a shocking 82% saying they have experienced anxiety in the past year.
If you’re experiencing anxiety, rest assured that God is with you, and he knows your heart. Jesus himself experienced anxiety (Matthew 26:37-38, Mark 14:33-34). Bring your stress, fear, and anxiety to God, and he will help you.
In fact, research consistently shows that reading the Bible isn’t just good for you spiritually. Bible reading is also one of the best things you can do for your mental health, topped only by volunteering in your local community (which, by the way, your Bible will also recommend!).
To get you started, here are a collection of Bible verses to bring you comfort and give you resources to help you calm your anxiety. These verses are presented in a variety of different Bible translations. You can click on each verse reference to read it in your own favorite version.
Calming Anxiety by Trusting God
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests 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 (NIV)
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
— 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Your comfort delights my soul.
— Psalm 94:19 (NASB)
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.”
— Matthew 11:28–29 (NABRE)
“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 (NKJV)
Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them. He will not permit the godly to slip or fall.
— Psalm 55:22 (TLB)
Don’t fear, because I am with you;
don’t be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
I will surely help you;
I will hold you
with my righteous strong hand.
— Isaiah 41:10 (CEB)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
— Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
— Psalm 139:23 (NIV)
When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
— Psalm 56:3-4 (CSB)
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
— Psalm 23:4 (KJV)
God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
— Psalm 46:1 (GNT)
The Lord is on my side. I am not afraid. What can mortals do to me?
— Psalm 118:6 (GW)
God says, “Because you are devoted to me,
I’ll rescue you.
I’ll protect you because you know my name.
Whenever you cry out to me, I’ll answer.
I’ll be with you in troubling times.
I’ll save you and glorify you.
I’ll fill you full with old age.
I’ll show you my salvation.”
— Psalm 91:14-16 (CEB)
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
— Psalm 34:4 (NRSVue)
Biblical Advice for Dealing With Anxiety
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life?”
— Matthew 6:25-27 (NET)
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all 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 will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
— Matthew 6:31-34 (ESV)
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
— Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)
Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
— Philippians 2:4 (MSG)
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.
— 2 Timothy 1:7 (NRSVue)
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
— Galatians 6:2-3 (NLT)
So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”
— Luke 3:10–11 (NKJV)
Give your food to the hungry
and care for the homeless.
Then your light will shine
in the dark;
your darkest hour will be
like the noonday sun.
— Isaiah 58:10 (CEV)
Other Anxiety-Related Content at Bible Gateway
- What Does Philippians Really Say About Anxiety? by Curtis Chang
- How Psalm 91 Helps Explain the Global Mood by Jacob Edson
- Psalm 91: A Door to Mental Health in Troubled Times by John Eldredge
- Bible Verses That Win Against Worry by David Jeremiah
- How to Submit Your Thoughts to Christlike Thinking by Max Lucado
Dig deeper into all these verses and more with Bible Gateway Plus. Bible Gateway Plus has dozens of resources — from Study Bibles and commentaries to encyclopedias, dictionaries, and more — all for less than $5/month. Try it free today!
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