Bible Verses to Calm Anxiety: And 6 Steps to Take

I sit beneath the hemlocks while my little boy throws rocks into the water. I’m thankful we have a place to slip away from the demands of our days.  Today, I’m desperate to overcome anxiety with God in this quiet moment by the water.  Pulling out my Bible, I make a list of Bible verses to calm anxiety.

The words bring me comfort and peace.

I’m sharing these Scriptures with you today because God’s Word is an anchor in the storms of life.  God wants to calm you with his love.

We’ll look at 15 Bible verses to calm anxiety.  Then, I’ll share six steps to help you overcome anxious thoughts.

Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you overcome anxiety.

Bible Verses to Calm Anxiety

Let’s dive into God’s Word as we explore these Bible verses to calm anxiety.

15 Bible Verses to Calm Anxiety

1. Proverbs 16:9 ESV

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

We can have peace because our success is not solely dependent upon our planning.  God determines our steps.

Rest in this if you feel anxious about the future.

2. Psalm 139:9-10

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Remind yourself that God goes before you.

He is already present at every destination awaiting you.  He will be with you, and he wants you to trust him to guide you.

3. Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

As a good shepherd guides and protects his sheep, God will guide and protect you.  Rest in this truth as you trust him.

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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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 to Calm Anxiety

10. 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.

This verse reminds us that 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.

11. 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!”

This powerful verse reminds us that 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Deuteronomy 3:22

You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.

This powerful verse reminds us that when we face life’s battles, God fights for us.  Do you need God to fight a battle for you today?  Ask him to surround you with his protective wings as he fights this battle.

15. Isaiah 26:3-4

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Trust that God will help you.  He will give you peace.

This is a good verse to memorize and speak in stressful moments.

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Let’s now shift gears as we aim to apply these Bible verses to calm anxiety to our stressful moments.  I invite you to return with me to the creek where I recently had an honest conversation with God about the anxiety I was experiencing.

Applications of These Bible Verses to Calm Anxiety

A question comes to mind as I sit in the silence of the forest: Where does my life feel out of control?

When I feel like I have a grip on my life, peace reigns.  However, when my house is a mess, my schedule is overbooked, my kids are disobeying me, and my career feels uncertain, anxiety creeps in.

Not long ago, a friend looked into my eyes and said, “Stacey, Jesus wants you to find your peace in him, not in a clean house, obedient kids, and a certain future.”

Sadly, when I find my peace in pleasant circumstances, I overlook the truth about unchanging peace.

Peace is a Person. 

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the church in Ephesus: “He himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14).

Overcoming Anxiety With God’s Help

Jesus offers us peace with God at the cross. He then offers us peace to overcome conflicts in our lives.  Jesus is big enough to settle our external conflicts with others as well as our internal conflicts as we wrestle with our own desires.

Are you anxious today?

Are you anxious because some area of your life feels out of control?

Today, God is inviting you to find your peace in Jesus, not in peaceful circumstances.

Remember That Peace Is a Person

Peace is a Person who promised to never leave us.

I can overcome anxiety with God by remembering where I find my peace.  I don’t find peace by keeping a grip on my life.  This peace is fleeting and prone to change with circumstances.

The surrendered life does not require a perfect house, obedient children, or organized commitments in order to walk with peace.  The surrendered life walks with the Person of Peace.  He reigns throughout even the most chaotic seasons.

I can overcome anxiety with God by remembering where I find my peace. I don't find peace by keeping a grip on my life. #Peace #GodsPeace #PeacewithGod #anxiousthoughts Share on X

Perhaps you need this reminder today, too.  Perhaps you need some encouragement to help you rise above anxiety.

How to Stop Anxious Thoughts and Overcome Anxiety With God

Here are a few suggestions for how to rise above anxiety in your life:

1. Begin by recognizing the anxiety.

Call it what it is.

Recognize your struggle and admit it to yourself.

Look for indicators.  Learn to pay attention to the tightness of your chest, the headache that settles behind your eyes, or the racing pulse.  Name the anxiety as soon as you notice the signs.

2. Ask one simple question to reveal the root.

Stop and ask where your life feels out of control.

Are you afraid of some upcoming event?

Are you afraid of what people will think of you?

Do you fear the future?

Are you finding your peace through a sense of control instead of Jesus’ presence with you?

Identify any areas of your life that feel out of control.

3. Assess which parts of your life you can control.

Do you need to make adjustments in your life?

Maybe you do need to cut back on commitments, more deliberately plan your weekly schedule, or find a schedule that will hold you accountable to clean your house regularly.  Ask God to show you any changes he wants you to make.

4. Assess where you do not have control.

Once you’ve made adjustments for the areas in which you do have control, identify the specific areas of your life over which you do not have control.

You don’t have control over the way your coworkers treat you.  You can’t control all of your child’s behaviors.  Your job situation might not be under your full control.

Mentally release the parts of your life to God.  Acknowledge your trust in him.  Ask for his wisdom.

5. Overcome anxiety with God by clinging to what is true.

After casting your cares on the Lord, submit yourself to his work in your life.  Cling to what is true.

Here are seven helpful truths for your anxious seasons: Truth for the Days When You Feel Anxious.

6. Worship while you lay down control.

It’s not easy to give up control of parts of our lives that matter deeply to us.

Worship God as you turn these areas of your life over to him.  Ask him to help you accept an imperfect home, imperfect finances, imperfect children, and an imperfect schedule.

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If these Bible verses to calm anxiety have blessed you, I welcome you to explore our devotional books and library of free eBooks below.  Be blessed as you bring your burdens to God and experience his peace!

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 Book to Help You Overcome Anxiety With God:

Lastly, I have a gift for you.

Are you tired of being paralyzed by fear, overcome with worry, and plagued by doubt?  Let God Set You Free will help you find victory over fear, worry, and doubt by leading you on a 14-day journey into God’s Truth.  For a limited time, get this online devotional for free right here with promo code FREE. I also offer a full library of devotional eBooks.  I invite you to explore the collection right here!