A panic attack feels like your body has declared war on itself without warning. Your heart pounds so hard you’re convinced everyone can hear it. Your chest tightens until breathing becomes a conscious effort, and suddenly you’re trapped in a nightmare of “what if” thoughts that spiral completely out of control. What if I’m having a heart attack? What if I lose my mind? What if this never stops? The physical symptoms are terrifying enough, but then comes the shame and confusion about why your mind is betraying you this way.
Living with panic attacks means constantly scanning your environment for exits, avoiding certain places or situations, and feeling like you’re walking on eggshells with your own emotions. People who’ve never experienced them offer unhelpful advice like “just calm down” or “think positive thoughts,” not understanding that panic attacks aren’t about being weak or dramatic. They’re real medical experiences that can make you feel completely helpless and isolated.
But God doesn’t view your panic attacks as spiritual failure or evidence of weak faith. He sees your struggling heart, knows every racing thought, and offers His presence as an anchor when everything else feels out of control.
Bible Verses for Dealing with Panic Attacks
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. Isaiah 41:10 – Fear Not, for I Am with You
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. 2 Timothy 1:7 – God Has Not Given Us a Spirit of Fear
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind.
New King James Version (NKJV)
4. Psalm 56:3 – When I Am Afraid, I Put My Trust in You
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. 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)
6. 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast All Your Anxiety on Him
casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. John 14:27 – Peace I Leave with You
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Matthew 6:26 – Look at the Birds of the Air
Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to Me, All You Who Are Weary
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.”
The Message (MSG)
10. Psalm 55:22 – Cast Your Cares on the Lord
Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail).
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. Isaiah 26:3 – You Will Keep Him in Perfect Peace
You keep completely safe the people who maintain their faith, for they trust in you.
New English Translation (NET)
12. Psalm 23:4 – Even Though I Walk Through the Valley
Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Jeremiah 29:11 – Plans to Prosper You and Not to Harm You
I know what I’m planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. Romans 8:38-39 – Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love
For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future.
Good News Translation (GNT)
15. Psalm 4:8 – In Peace I Will Lie Down and Sleep
I go to bed and sleep in peace, because, Lord, only you keep me safe.
New Century Version (NCV)
16. Joshua 1:9 – Have I Not Commanded You?
Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
International Standard Version (ISV)
17. Psalm 46:10 – Be Still and Know That I Am God
“Stop fighting! Know that I am God. I will be honored among the nations. I will be honored on the earth.”
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18. 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.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
19. Psalm 27:1 – The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation
Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
World English Bible (WEB)
20. Isaiah 43:2 – When You Pass Through the Waters
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21. Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be Strong and Courageous
Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord your God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
22. Luke 12:25-26 – Who of You by Worrying Can Add a Single Hour?
Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it? If you can’t do such a small thing, why worry about everything else?
New American Bible (NAB)
23. Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own prudence.
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
24. Psalm 118:6 – The Lord Is with Me, I Will Not Fear
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
English Revised Version (ERV)
25. Isaiah 35:4 – Say to Those with Fearful Hearts
Say to the hastened of heart, ‘Be strong, fear not, lo, your God; vengeance cometh, The recompence of God, He Himself doth come and save you.’
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
26. 1 John 4:18 – There Is No Fear in Love
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has torment, and he that fears has not been made perfect in love.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
27. Hebrews 13:6 – So We Say with Confidence
So that we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear. What shall man do to me?”
Weymouth New Testament (WNT)
28. Psalm 91:4 – He Will Cover You with His Feathers
With hise schuldris he schal make schadowe to thee; and thou schalt haue hope vnder hise wynges.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
29. Romans 8:15 – The Spirit You Received Does Not Make You Slaves
For ye haue not receiued the Spirit of bondage, to feare againe: but ye haue receiued the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
30. Nahum 1:7 – The Lord Is Good, a Refuge in Times of Trouble
The Lord is good, and a strong hold in the day of trouble, and will knowe them that trust in him.
Bishop’s Bible
31. Psalm 121:1-2 – I Lift Up My Eyes to the Mountains
I lyft vp myne eyes vnto the hylles, from whence commeth my helpe. My helpe commeth euen from the Lorde, whych hath made heauen and earth.
Tyndale Bible
32. Psalm 91:1-2 – Whoever Dwells in the Shelter of the Most High
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I trust!
The Living Bible (TLB)
33. John 16:33 – In This World You Will Have Trouble
I have told you these things so that in me you may have perfect peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress, but be courageous; I have overcome the world.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
34. Psalm 94:19 – When Anxiety Was Great Within Me
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comfort delights my soul.
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
35. Zephaniah 3:17 – The Lord Your God Is with You
The Lord your God is with you. He is the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you. In his love he will no longer punish you. Instead, he will sing for joy because of you.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Panic Attacks
Scripture doesn’t treat anxiety and panic as character flaws or spiritual deficiencies. Throughout the Bible, we see faithful people experiencing overwhelming fear and distress, from David crying out in the Psalms to Jesus Himself sweating drops of blood in Gethsemane. God’s response isn’t condemnation but compassion, offering His presence and peace to those whose minds and bodies are struggling with fear. The Bible acknowledges that we live in broken bodies in a fallen world, and sometimes our nervous systems misfire in ways that create genuine terror.
What’s particularly helpful about biblical wisdom for panic attacks is that it focuses on God’s character rather than our performance. Instead of commanding us to just stop being afraid, Scripture reminds us who God is and what He promises. He’s with us, He cares for us, He won’t abandon us, and His love casts out fear. These truths become anchors we can cling to when panic makes everything else feel unstable. The Bible also shows us that healing often comes gradually and through multiple means, encouraging us to seek both spiritual comfort and practical help without shame.
Say This Prayer
Father, I’m in the middle of overwhelming panic right now, and I need You to be my anchor when everything feels out of control. My heart is racing, my thoughts are spinning with worst-case scenarios, and I feel like I can’t catch my breath. Please remind me in this moment that You are with me, that I am safe, and that these terrifying feelings will pass.
Help me focus on Your promises instead of my symptoms. When my mind tells me something terrible is happening, help me remember that You have not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. Slow my racing heart with Your supernatural peace that goes beyond what I can understand or explain.
Give me wisdom about getting professional help for these panic attacks without feeling like I’m failing spiritually. Help me find good doctors, counselors, or medications if I need them, knowing that You work through all these means to bring healing. Surround me with understanding people who won’t judge me for struggling with anxiety.
When panic tries to control my life by making me avoid places or situations, give me the courage to take small steps forward. Help me build practical tools for managing these attacks while also growing in trust that You are bigger than my fears.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.