Worry wraps around your mind like a tangled string, tightening with each worst-case scenario you imagine. You know it doesn’t help, that it changes nothing about tomorrow, but the what-ifs keep spinning anyway. Money worries steal your sleep. Health concerns hijack your thoughts. Relationship anxieties play on repeat. You’ve tried telling yourself to stop worrying, but that works about as well as trying to stop breathing. The harder you fight it, the stronger it grips.
The Bible addresses worry more than almost any other topic, not because God is frustrated with anxious people but because He knows how worry suffocates joy and paralyzes faith. Jesus didn’t tell people to stop worrying because it’s bad or wrong. He pointed them to a Father who feeds the birds and clothes the flowers, inviting them to trust that same care extends to them. Biblical wisdom about worry isn’t about suppressing emotions or pretending everything is fine. It’s about redirecting focus from the magnitude of our problems to the faithfulness of our God.
These verses aren’t magic formulas that instantly eliminate anxiety, but they are truths to anchor yourself to when worry threatens to pull you under.
Bible Verses on Worry
1. Matthew 6:25-27 – Do Not Worry About Your Life
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
New International Version (NIV)
2. Philippians 4:6-7 – Do Not Be Anxious About Anything
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let 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.
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. Psalm 55:22 – Cast Your Cares on the Lord
Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. Proverbs 12:25 – Anxiety Weighs Down the Heart
Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. Isaiah 41:10 – Do Not Fear, for I Am with You
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. Psalm 94:19 – When Anxiety Was Great Within Me
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Luke 12:25-26 – Who of You by Worrying Can Add a Single Hour?
And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest?
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Matthew 6:34 – Do Not Worry About Tomorrow
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
The Message (MSG)
10. Psalm 37:8 – Refrain from Anger and Turn from Wrath
Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm.
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 46:1-2 – God Is Our Refuge and Strength
God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble. And so, we won’t be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. John 14:27 – Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled
I leave you peace. My peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be troubled. And do not be afraid.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
15. Luke 12:22-23 – Do Not Worry About Your Life
Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.
New King James Version (NKJV)
16. Psalm 23:4 – Even Though I Walk Through the Darkest Valley
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
New International Version (NIV)
17. Romans 8:28 – God Works for the Good
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
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. 2 Timothy 1:7 – God Has Not Given Us a Spirit of Fear
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
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. Jeremiah 17:7-8 – Blessed Is the One Who Trusts in the Lord
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
22. Proverbs 3:24 – When You Lie Down, You Will Not Be Afraid
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
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. Psalm 121:1-2 – I Lift Up My Eyes to the Mountains
I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from GOD, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.
The Message (MSG)
25. Isaiah 43:1-2 – Do Not Fear, for I Have Redeemed You
But now, thus says the Lord, Who created you, O Jacob, And He Who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you.
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 trouble; 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. Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to Me, All Who Are Weary
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
New International Version (NIV)
30. Psalm 139:23-24 – Search Me, God, and Know My Heart
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
English Standard Version (ESV)
31. Lamentations 3:22-23 – His Compassions Never Fail
Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
New King James Version (NKJV)
32. Psalm 27:1 – The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation
The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
New Living Translation (NLT)
33. Romans 12:12 – Be Joyful in Hope, Patient in Affliction
Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
34. Psalm 118:6 – The Lord Is with Me; I Will Not Be Afraid
The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
35. Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be Strong and Courageous
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
King James Version (KJV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Worry
Worry is fundamentally a trust issue. It’s what happens when we forget who God is and how He’s proven His faithfulness. The Bible doesn’t minimize legitimate concerns or tell us to be irresponsible, but it does invite us to distinguish between wise planning and anxious fretting. God repeatedly tells His people not to worry, not because worry is a sin to feel guilty about, but because it’s a burden we were never meant to carry alone.
What strikes me about Scripture’s approach to worry is how practical it is. We’re told to pray specifically about our concerns, to focus on today rather than catastrophizing about tomorrow, and to actively cast our cares on God instead of white-knuckling our way through anxiety. The antidote to worry isn’t denial but dependence, choosing to trust God’s character when we can’t control our circumstances.
The most liberating truth about worry is that God doesn’t shame us for it. Jesus acknowledged that worry is a natural human tendency, which is why He addressed it so directly. He invites anxious people to come to Him for rest, to remember His past faithfulness, and to fix their eyes on His sustaining presence. When worry threatens to overwhelm, we can choose to redirect our focus from what could go wrong to the God who remains faithful through everything.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, my mind is consumed with worry right now. I’m anxious about things I can’t control and exhausted from trying to figure everything out on my own. I know You tell me not to worry, but sometimes it feels impossible to turn off these racing thoughts. Help me to bring my concerns to You instead of carrying them alone.
Teach me to trust You with the things that keep me awake at night. Remind me of all the times You’ve provided, protected, and sustained me before. Help me to focus on today rather than borrowing trouble from tomorrow. When worst-case scenarios flood my mind, anchor me to the truth that You are sovereign and good.
Replace my anxiety with Your peace that surpasses understanding. Help me to cast my cares on You, believing that You truly care about what concerns me. Give me wisdom to do what I can and faith to leave the rest in Your capable hands. Let my trust in You grow stronger than my tendency to worry.
Thank You that You never tire of my concerns and that Your faithfulness is new every morning.
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.