Anxiety doesn’t respond to logic. You know worrying accomplishes nothing, that most of what you fear never happens, and that God is in control. But your mind spirals anyway, rehearsing worst-case scenarios, catastrophizing about the future, and playing out every possible disaster. Your heart races over situations you can’t control, your stomach churns with dread about what might happen, and sleep eludes you because your brain won’t shut off the endless loop of what-ifs.
The Bible addresses anxiety more than almost any other emotional struggle because God knows worry is part of being human. Jesus didn’t tell anxious people to just stop worrying as if it were that simple. He invited them to trade their anxiety for trust, to cast their cares on a Father who actually cares, and to focus on today rather than borrowing trouble from tomorrow. Scripture offers practical strategies for battling anxiety: pray specifically about concerns, fill your mind with truth, remember God’s past faithfulness, and actively choose to trust His care even when feelings scream otherwise.
These verses aren’t magic formulas that instantly eliminate anxiety, but they are anchors for souls tossed by worry’s waves, pointing us back to the God who holds tomorrow and invites us to rest in His capable hands.
Bible Verses About Anxiety and Worry
1. Philippians 4:6-7 – Do Not Be Anxious About Anything
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.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Matthew 6:34 – Do Not Worry About Tomorrow
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast All Your Anxiety on Him
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
New King James Version (NKJV)
4. Matthew 6:25-27 – Do Not Worry About Your Life
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. Psalm 55:22 – Cast Your Cares on the Lord
Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. Proverbs 12:25 – Anxiety Weighs Down the Heart
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. Luke 12:25-26 – Who of You by Worrying Can Add
And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
King James Version (KJV)
8. Isaiah 41:10 – Do Not Fear, for I Am with You
do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. John 14:27 – Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled
I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.
The Message (MSG)
10. Psalm 94:19 – When Anxiety Was Great Within Me
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.
New English Translation (NET)
12. Isaiah 26:3 – You Will Keep in Perfect Peace
You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Psalm 23:4 – I Will Fear No Evil
Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff give me courage.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. Luke 12:22 – Do Not Worry About Your Life
Then Jesus spoke to his disciples. “I tell you,” he said, “do not worry. Don’t worry about your life and what you will eat. And don’t worry about your body and what you will wear.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
15. Jeremiah 17:7-8 – Blessed Is the One Who Trusts in the Lord
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
New King James Version (NKJV)
16. Psalm 46:1-2 – God Is Our Refuge and Strength
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
New International Version (NIV)
17. 2 Timothy 1:7 – God Has Not Given Us a Spirit of Fear
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
English Standard Version (ESV)
18. Psalm 56:3 – When I Am Afraid, I Put My Trust in You
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.
New King James Version (NKJV)
19. Romans 8:28 – God Works for the Good
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
New Living Translation (NLT)
20. Psalm 34:4 – I Sought the Lord, and He Answered Me
I sought the LORD, and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
21. Matthew 11:28 – Come to Me, All Who Are Weary
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
22. Psalm 37:8 – Refrain from Anger and Turn from Wrath
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
King James Version (KJV)
23. Hebrews 13:5-6 – The Lord Is My Helper
Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
24. Luke 12:29-31 – Do Not Set Your Heart on What You Will Eat
What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
The Message (MSG)
25. Psalm 139:23-24 – Search Me, God, and Know My Heart
Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
26. Nahum 1:7 – The Lord Is Good, a Refuge in Times of Trouble
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of distress; he takes care of those who trust in him.
New English Translation (NET)
27. Psalm 62:5-6 – Find Rest, O My Soul, in God Alone
Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
28. Zephaniah 3:17 – The Lord Your God Is with You
The LORD your God is there with you, powerful and ready to rescue you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
29. Psalm 121:1-2 – I Lift Up My Eyes to the Mountains
I look up to the mountains. Does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
30. Romans 12:2 – Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
New King James Version (NKJV)
31. Psalm 4:8 – In Peace I Will Lie Down and Sleep
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
New International Version (NIV)
32. Isaiah 43:1-2 – Do Not Fear, for I Have Redeemed You
But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
33. Joshua 1:9 – Be Strong and Courageous
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
New King James Version (NKJV)
34. Lamentations 3:22-23 – His Compassions Never Fail
The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
New Living Translation (NLT)
35. Psalm 27:1 – The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation
The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom should I dread?
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Anxiety and Worry
Scripture treats anxiety as a real struggle, not a spiritual weakness to be ashamed of. God doesn’t condemn anxious people but offers them practical help and divine peace. The biblical approach to anxiety involves redirecting our focus from what we fear to who God is, from what might happen to what He’s promised, from trying to control everything to trusting the One who actually is in control. Anxiety thrives on uncertainty, but faith anchors us to certainties about God’s character, care, and sovereignty.
What strikes me most about biblical strategies for anxiety is how practical they are. Don’t just stop worrying, pray specifically about your concerns. Don’t just try harder to trust; remember how God has been faithful before. Don’t focus on tomorrow’s troubles, deal with today, and trust God with what’s next. Fill your mind with truth, cast your burdens on Him, and choose moment by moment to rest in His care rather than spiraling in fear.
The most encouraging truth about anxiety is that God’s peace is available even when circumstances don’t change. His peace transcends understanding, meaning it doesn’t make logical sense given what we’re facing. It’s supernatural calm in the midst of chaos, confidence in God’s character and goodness when life feels out of control, and assurance that we’re held by hands stronger than our fears.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, my mind is consumed with anxiety right now. I’m worried about things I can’t control, afraid of what might happen, and exhausted from the constant mental spin. I know You tell me not to be anxious, but I need Your help to actually experience the peace You promise.
Help me to cast these specific concerns on You: my worries about finances, relationships, health, and the future. I bring them to You in prayer with thanksgiving, choosing to focus on Your faithfulness rather than on my fears. Remind me that You care about what concerns me and that I can trust You with outcomes I can’t control.
Guard my heart and mind with Your peace that transcends understanding. When anxiety tries to take over, help me to redirect my thoughts to Your truth, to remember Your past faithfulness, and to trust Your presence with me in this moment. Give me grace to focus on today without borrowing trouble from tomorrow.
Thank You that You haven’t given me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-control. Replace my anxiety with Your peace.
In Jesus’ comforting Name, Amen.