15 Bible Verses for Overthinking and Anxiety
I sit by the lake and cast stones like we’re casting cares. I try to conjure up a few long-ago memorized Bible verses for overthinking because I need an anchor on this clear blue afternoon.
In vivid detail, I remember a day when I sat by this lake four short months ago.
The shoreline was clothed in unrecognizable white, and there was no definitive border between the place where the land ended and the water began.
Men sat bundled in blue and brown shanties across the white expanse. They entertained themselves by jigging child-sized fishing poles and hoping for sunken bobbers. Coleman lanterns warmed chilled hands, and their voices echoed across the ivory.
I sat on this same beach and looked out across the silver lake.
I took a hard look at the fears that were gnawing at my soul.
It was a season of worrying about health issues, facing anxiety about the future, and stressing about what might be and what might never be.
Bible Verses for Overthinking and Anxiety
As I reflect upon it all in the warmth of a May afternoon, I see that there are two choices: Fill my mind with worries and cares or fill my mind with truth.
I can dig deep and cling to God’s powerful Bible verses for overthinking and anxiety, or I can stay in the shallows and let my worries consume me.
The choice is mine.
Most of us tend to worry about whatever problem is most pressing at any given moment.
Regardless of the magnitude of the worry, the only way to cast it out is to replace it with truth.
Pondering this, I begin listing them: Bible verses for overthinking. It’s time to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.
If this resonates with you, join me as we explore 15 Bible verses for overthinking. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you align your thoughts with God’s thoughts.
Bible Verses for Overthinking
1. Isaiah 26:3 ESV
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
This powerful verse reminds us that perfect peace is possible. Perfect peace is available when we return our wandering thoughts to the Lord and trust him.
Are your thoughts racing all over the place? Take those thoughts captive.
Return them to the Centering Point of Christ. He is with you. You can trust him. Let every worry prompt you to look to him all over again, and you will use anxiety and worry for the glory of God.
2. Psalm 112:7
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
These words remind us that trust in the Lord casts out the fear of bad news. Trust steadies the heart. When you fear the worst, ask the Lord to help you renew your trust in him, and claim these truths.
Your worst-case scenario could become reality. Friend, even if it does, trust in God to carry you through. Trust in him to use it for your good and his glory. Relinquish your worried desire for control into his hands, and trust his purposes in your life.
3. Psalm 103:1-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
These words remind us that God forgives, heals, redeems, and renews us. Instead of trembling in fear, what might happen if you blessed his name? Instead of worshiping your fear by dwelling on it, what if you lifted your heart in worship to the King?
4. Proverbs 1:33
But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.
This verse reminds us that when we fear the future, the Lord offers security as we lean into the truth of his Word. Exchange dread for ease by listening to God’s promises for security.
5. Psalm 61:2
Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
This powerful verse reminds us there is safety in the Rock that is higher than us. Cry to God in your anxious moments, and he will draw near and offer shelter in the fortress of his presence.
6. Philippians 4:6-7
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 minds in Christ Jesus.
When we tell God what we need, he gives us peace.
Do you need God’s peace amid anxiety today? Turn to him and talk to him.
Find a reason to thank him and then present your requests to him. He will fill you with peace while guarding your heart and mind in Christ.
7. Matthew 19:26
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’
When we feel anxious, worried, or fearful, we can remind ourselves that nothing is impossible with God. No miracle is too great. No obstacle is too overpowering. God is able to work powerfully in our lives. He calls us to trust in him.
8. Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nothing can ever take God’s love away from his children. No matter what you are facing, remind yourself that God’s love goes with you. Relax into his love. He wants to fill you with peace.
9. Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
This verse reminds us that God’s love will never leave his children. As you face fear and anxiety, lean into God’s loving presence. He is with you, and his presence changes the atmosphere surrounding you.
10. Deuteronomy 3:22
Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.
Do you need someone to take your side in a situation that feels hopeless? God wants to fight for you and defend you.
11. John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
The morning before our first child was born, I was filled with fear and anxiety. I texted a friend and asked her to send me some Bible verses to help with anxiety. She sent John 14:27.
These words carried me through the tumultuous day and have since been a reminder that God wants me to walk in his peace. In even the most challenging situations, he promises this peace and assurance.
More Bible Verses for Overthinking and Anxiety
12. Isaiah 40:31
They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
God will give us all the strength we need to fulfill his plans for our lives. As we look to him and wait upon him, he fills us with strength and enables us to live for him.
13. Romans 8:15
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
We are not called to walk in fear. Just as a child feels safe with his loving father, we are safe with God.
When fear arises within you, cry out to him. He is a good Father and wants to carry you and deliver you.
14. 1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
I appreciate the image of casting our anxieties on God. When we forcefully throw our worries, cares, and fears onto him, he lifts them because he cares for us.
15. Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Last year, our kids memorized this verse as back-to-school anxiety started to creep in. We repeated it often throughout the first few weeks of school, reminding ourselves that God was with us. Because God goes ahead of us into the future, we don’t need to fear tomorrow.
Read here for 15 Bible verses for overthinking and anxiety. #anxiety #prayer #truth #faith Share on X~~~
The sun is sinking behind the rolling hills to the west when I finally close my Bible and stand to leave.
I walk to the car slowly, and I pray that the Lord will continue to lead me to the rock that is higher than I. I thank him for the gift of these Bible verses for anxiety and stress, and something inside me seems to lift, to lighten.
This invitation waits for you as well. If you are feeling anxious or fearful, cling to the words of Truth and allow these words to cast out fear and center your focus on the only One who has promised to stay with you no matter what.
If these Bible verses for overthinking blessed you, I invite you to explore our family devotionals and free library of eBooks and devotionals below! Be blessed as you surrender your thoughts to the Lord!
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
A Free Devotional to Help You Connect With God
God is a good Father, and he wants us to experience his healing, deliverance, and replenishment. Most of us have learned that we cannot heal, deliver, or refresh ourselves; we need God to do this work within us. I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment. Find it for free here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here! 
