Bible Verses About Anxiety: Finding Peace in God’s Word

Jesse Wisnewski

Jesse Wisnewski

Professional Development

Anxiety is one of the most common struggles people face today. Whether it’s fear about the future, worry over finances, health concerns, or relational tensions, anxiety can weigh heavily on our hearts.

And Christians are not immune to this struggle. In fact, the Bible speaks often about worry, fear, and the peace God offers His people.

For believers, the question is not simply, “How do I stop feeling anxious?” but rather, “What does God say about my anxiety, and how can His Word guide me through it?”

In this article, we’ll explore what the Bible teaches about anxiety, share ten key Bible verses about anxiety, and offer practical encouragement for Christians seeking peace.

Before we begin, here’s a quick overview of what we’ll cover:

  1. What the Bible Teaches About Anxiety

  2. 10 Bible Verses About Anxiety

  3. Why God’s Promises Calm Our Fears

  4. Practical Help for the Anxious Christian

Now, let’s begin by grounding ourselves in what the Bible says about anxiety and why it matters for the Christian life.

What the Bible Teaches About Anxiety

The Bible does not ignore our struggles with worry or treat them lightly. Instead, it speaks directly to the anxious heart, offering both correction and comfort.

At its core, anxiety reveals where we place our trust. Jesus taught His disciples not to worry about what they would eat, drink, or wear, but to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:25–34). Anxiety exposes the ways we try to secure ourselves apart from God’s promises.

At the same time, God’s Word shows incredible compassion toward the anxious. The Psalms, in particular, are filled with prayers from saints who cried out in fear and distress. God doesn’t condemn His children for their struggles but invites them to cast their cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7).

The Scriptures emphasize that God is sovereign over all things, including our struggles with anxiety. The Westminster Confession reminds us that “God, from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass” (WCF 3.1).

That means our anxious moments are not outside His plan. Rather, they are opportunities to learn dependence upon Him and to rest in His fatherly care.

10 Bible Verses About Anxiety

Here are ten passages that speak directly to anxiety, each followed by a short reflection and application.

1. Philippians 4:6–7

“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.”

Paul does not merely say, “Don’t be anxious.” He provides the remedy: prayer. When we bring our worries to God with thanksgiving, He gives us supernatural peace.

This is not a psychological trick, but the very peace of God guarding us in Christ.

2. 1 Peter 5:7

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

God’s care is not abstract—it is personal. The sovereign Lord of the universe invites His people to place every concern into His hands.

Anxiety lessens as we remember we are not alone.

3. Psalm 94:19

“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”

The psalmist admits his heart is full of cares, yet he finds joy in God’s consolations.

This verse reminds us that comfort is not found in ignoring anxiety, but in bringing it before God and receiving His encouragement through His Word.

4. Isaiah 41:10

“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.”

God’s presence is the antidote to fear.

He not only commands His people not to fear but also provides the reason: His nearness, His strength, and His upholding power.

5. Matthew 11:28–30

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Christ offers true rest to weary souls. Unlike the burdens of the world, His yoke is easy because He carries it with us.

Anxious hearts find relief in Him.

6. Psalm 34:4

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”

The psalmist testifies from experience: God hears and delivers.

Prayer is not a mere ritual—it is a real encounter with the living God, who responds to His children.

7. Proverbs 12:25

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

This verse highlights the heaviness anxiety brings, but also the power of encouragement.

A timely word of truth—from Scripture or a fellow believer—can lift the burden of fear.

8. John 14:27

“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.”

The world offers temporary fixes for anxiety—distraction, entertainment, or shallow reassurances.

Jesus offers His own peace, rooted in His finished work on the cross and His ongoing reign as King.

9. Romans 8:38–39

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Anxiety often stems from fear of losing what we love.

Paul reminds us that nothing—not even our fears—can separate us from Christ’s love.

10. Lamentations 3:22–24

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’”

Jeremiah wrote these words in the midst of sorrow and destruction. Yet he anchors his hope in God’s unchanging mercy.

For the anxious Christian, God’s daily mercies provide strength to persevere.

Why God’s Promises Calm Our Fears

Why do these verses matter? Because anxiety often lies to us.

It tells us God is not in control, that our future is uncertain, and that we are alone.

Scripture counters these lies with truth:

  • God is sovereign: Nothing happens apart from His will (Romans 8:28).

  • God is faithful: His promises never fail (Numbers 23:19).

  • God is near: He will never leave or forsake His people (Hebrews 13:5).

Unlike the world’s coping strategies, God’s Word provides lasting peace.

His promises are not dependent on changing circumstances but on His unchanging character.

Practical Help for the Anxious Christian

While Bible verses offer encouragement, we also need practical steps to live them out.

Here are four ways to apply God’s truth when anxiety strikes:

1. Pray through the Psalms

Use the prayers of David and others as your own words when you don’t know what to say (Psalm 56, Psalm 61, Psalm 91).

2. Memorize Scripture

Commit verses about God’s care to memory so you can recall them when anxious thoughts arise (Psalm 119:11).

3. Seek Christian community

Don’t suffer in silence. This has been the biggest lesson I’ve learned in this area. 

Share your burdens with fellow believers who can pray, encourage, and remind you of the truth (Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 10:24–25).

4. Pursue biblical counseling

Sometimes anxiety requires more than private prayer. God provides wise counselors within the church to guide us with gospel-centered wisdom (Proverbs 11:14).

5. Commit to the means of grace

Regular worship, participation in the sacraments, and sitting under the preaching of the Word anchor us in Christ and remind us of His promises.

Final Thoughts

Anxiety is real, but so is God’s peace. The Bible does not dismiss our fears but directs us to the One who carries them for us.

Through the gospel, we learn that Christ bore our greatest burden—our sin—so we can rest secure in Him. No matter what anxieties press upon us, God’s Word assures us: He is near, He is sovereign, and He cares for us.

So the next time anxiety rises in your heart, turn to Scripture. Pray. Seek community. Remember Christ’s promises. And rest in the steadfast love of the Lord, which never ceases.

Jesse Wisnewski

Jesse Wisnewski is a marketing executive, and his work has been featured in Forbes, CNBC Make It, The Muse, Observer, and more. He holds a master's degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a marketing degree from Marshall University. He lives in Charleston, WV with his family.