8 Bible Verses for Overcoming Anxiety With God’s Help
I’ve dealt with anxiety for as long as I can remember. Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that God wants to help me exchange anxiety for peace. Today, we’ll look at seven Bible verses for overcoming anxiety. Then, I’ll share a story of applying these Scriptures to an everyday moment.
8 Bible Verses for Overcoming Anxiety
Let’s start by turning to God’s Word.
Bible Verses for Overcoming Anxiety With God
1. Isaiah 41:10, ESV
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.
This is one of my favorite Bible verses to calm anxiety. Isaiah’s words remind us of several powerful truths: God is with us; he is in control; he gives us strength; he helps us; he upholds us.
God has not left your side. No matter what form of fear or anxiety you are facing today, you can face it because God is with you.
2. Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
I’ve spent much of my life trying to muster up my own strength and courage. Sadly, this self-sufficient strength always runs out.
God invites us to turn to him for strength and courage instead of relying on ourselves. Because God is with us, we can overcome fear and walk in his strength and courage.
3. Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
At times, my fears emerge from concerns about what other people think of me. I worry that I might fail and disappoint someone. I worry that my mistakes will render me inadequate or incompetent.
Yet when I remind myself that I am trusting in and walking with God, the fear of disappointing others (or being rejected) loses its grip on me.
If you are afraid of disappointing someone or falling short, remind yourself that God is not calling you to be perfect. Give your best effort and trust God with the outcome.
4. Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
Several years ago, our family decided to start memorizing Bible verses together. Psalm 56:3 was our first memory verse. Our children can all readily repeat the words, “When I am afraid, I will trust you.”
We memorized this verse first because the kids were all facing various fears at the time: the fear of the dark, the fear of new school years, and the fear of the unknown.
Over the past years, I’ve overheard them repeating this verse countless times: in dark bedrooms, before going outside at night, before big tests at school, and more.
Hiding God’s Word in our hearts and speaking it during challenging times empowers us. I encourage you to commit this verse to memory and speak it when you feel afraid or anxious.
5. Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Most of us face stress and anxiety. When these moments come, God calls us to rise above anxiety by turning to him in prayer, with thanksgiving. Have you ever noticed that it’s impossible to worry about a situation while simultaneously giving thanks?
Instead of embracing anxious or fearful thoughts, turn to God in prayer. Find a reason to thank him and then tell him what’s on your mind. He wants to help you, deliver you from fear, and work in your life.
6. 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.
7. 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 morning before our first child was born, as the labor pains started, I sent a message to a friend and asked her to send me a Bible verse that might help me overcome fear. She responded with John 14:27. These words offered peace through the long, painful, and uncertain day.
Do you need peace today?
Take these words to heart. Jesus wants to cover you with his peace. Ask him to help you exchange fear and anxiety for peace, and he will respond.
8. 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.
Let’s Apply These Bible Verses for Overcoming Anxiety to Our Lives
I stand on a sand-sprinkled kitchen floor and stare down a list that’s growing longer every day. Springtime brings an expansive array of new endeavors, and if I’m not careful, my mind will spiral out of control with anxious thoughts. I’ll find myself sitting in a dark corner praying to overcome anxiety with God’s help.
Henry David Thoreau said, “It’s not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: what are we busy about?”
I think of Thoreau’s words, and I realize I need a plan. Anxious thoughts are creeping in, and if I don’t get a grip, who knows what will happen. I’m not sure I want to find out.
Sadly, when everything on my to-do list feels urgent, anxiety threatens to take over. When I fail to identify my top priorities, everything begins to feel like the top priority. I drive myself into the dark abyss of stress as I try to accomplish every item on my list.
Begin by Assessing Your Priorities
Considering these truths, I lay my to-do list on the table and take a step back. I make a list and organize my priorities based on when each task needs to be completed.
Tasks like cleaning windows go into a category that exists only as an option if I complete the time-sensitive tasks first. I gently remind myself no one will get hurt if the streaks stay on the glass.
Staring at the list, I see there are only three tasks I actually need to complete this week. I’m suddenly relieved and almost entirely de-stressed. Unburdening the anxious thoughts opens space in my soul to breathe deeply. (Do you need space to breathe deeply, laugh deeply, and love deeply? Join me here.)
I remind myself to slow down and enjoy my moments. Life is less of an emergency than I often make it out to be.
Four Questions to Overcome Anxiety With God’s Help:
I hope you’re not overwhelmed by anxious thoughts. I hope your to-do list doesn’t feel overwhelming. But if you do feel overwhelmed, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
1. When you face anxious thoughts, ask yourself if you are fearful about an outcome:
Ask, Will anyone really be hurt if I don’t accomplish everything on today’s to-do list?
Do you really need to hurry to put an extra load of laundry in the washing machine before you head out the door? What would happen if you didn’t file every report, wash every dish in the sink, or stain the deck today? Would anyone be hurt? Or would it be better to put off the task and step into your next commitment with less stress?
2. Overcome anxiety with God’s help by looking long-term:
When you feel overwhelmed by all you want to accomplish, ask yourself this question: In five years, will I remember whether I accomplished this task?
Some items on your priority list need to stay. You need to eat and tend to your body and the bodies of those who rely on you. God most likely isn’t calling you to opt-out of your job, and he isn’t inviting you to forfeit your role as a caretaker for your kids. But you could probably let a few things go. Ask God to help you align your priorities with his will. He will help you.
3. Examine your motives:
Ask, What is my motive for wanting to get this figured out, finished, or under control? Is it a desire to prove something to myself or someone else?
All too often, my stressed-out scramble is about performing. Friend, God is not calling you to a life of performance; he is calling you to a life of presence.
I put presence before performance when I consistently put tasks ahead of people. There is a time to clean the house, wash the dishes, and do the work of your job. There is also a time to set the tasks aside and pour into the people God places in your path. God will help you discern the difference.
4. Overcome anxiety with God’s help by asking if you are trying to please others:
Ask, Will anyone other than me notice if I fail to accomplish this goal that’s stressing me out?
Have you spread yourself thin in an attempt to please every person in your life? Are you hurried and stressed because you’re trying to keep your 25 closest friends happy?
God calls us to serve others. He calls us to die to ourselves and live to serve. But he is not asking you to be everything for everyone. He will show you where to cut back and where to press forward. Take the time to connect with his heart on these matters right here today.
A Final Thought to Help You Overcome Anxiety:
Finally, pause to look heavenward. God is not sitting on his throne stressing out over who is going to run your child to soccer practice, how you’re going to pull off the next deadline, or where your next meal is coming from. Align yourself with the truth that God will meet you in your place of need. God will equip you to do the work he calls you to do.
God will equip you to do the work he calls you to do. #calledbyGod #equipped #followingGod #destress Share on XIf these Bible verses for overcoming anxiety blessed you, I invite you to download a free chapter of my latest book below.
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