What Does the Bible Say About Stress and Anxiety?
We all face stress in life. Stress comes in the form of full schedules, unexpected crises, and everyday issues in our workplaces. What does the Bible say about stress and anxiety?
Today, we’ll explore 10 Bible verses for stress and anxiety.
We’ll also discuss three biblical ways to cope with stress.
Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you cope with stress.
What Does the Bible Say About Stress and Anxiety?
Let’s begin by turning to God’s Word.
What Does the Bible Say About Stress and Anxiety?
1. Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. ESV
God is in control of all things, and nothing will touch us without getting through him first. We can trust that when God permits trouble in our lives, he will also help us to walk through it in his power.
This truth can help us turn to God when we feel stressed and anxious.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 stress and anxiety, lean into God’s loving presence. He is with you, and his presence changes the atmosphere surrounding you.
5. 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.
6. 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.
What Does the Bible Say About Stress and Anxiety? 8 More Verses
7. Psalm 118:5-6
Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
If your stress is due to a conflict or concern involving another person, let these words bring you peace. God is with you. Aim to honor him in all you do and trust that he is pleased.
When troubles come, you can trust that God has permitted them and can use them for good.
8. Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
God loves us so much that he invites us to cast our cares onto him. It’s easy to overlook the invitation here: The Creator of the universe wants to lift your heaviest burdens from your shoulders and help you live in a way that is lighter and less anxious.
God can handle even your heaviest burden. Ask him to help you relinquish it into his hands. He wants to help you and lighten the load you are carrying.
9. Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
Perhaps your stress stems from self-doubt and a general sense of discouragement.
Maybe the atmosphere around you is negative and defeating.
This Proverb reminds us that a good word brings joy. If work stress is dragging you down, aim to deliberately encourage someone at work every day with your words. Be the change you’d like to see in your sphere of influence.
10. 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.
Jesus invites us to draw near to him when we feel weary and burdened, and he will give us rest.
11. Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Maybe you’re experiencing stress because you feel like others are out to get you.
Never forget that if God is for you, the threats of others cannot derail God’s plans for your life. One of the primary ways the enemy attacks us is by sending fearful, anxious, and hopeless thoughts.
12. 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.
Are you stressed at work because you often look ahead and feel overwhelmed?
This verse reminds us to focus on today. Instead of looking ahead and letting worries about the future get the best of you, remind yourself to stay present. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
13. James 1:12
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
God wants to use the challenges you are facing to help you become more mature. He is building your character.
Keep your eyes on him and don’t let discouragement take over. Your story isn’t fully written just yet.
14. 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.
What does the Bible say about stress? #stress #trust #peace Share on XI now invite you to join me as I share my own battle with stress. Let’s talk about biblical coping strategies to help us deal with stress.
What Does the Bible Say About Stress?
I sit with the dawn and let my thoughts gather. The grey morning light lifts her sleepy head, and the thin air is embroidered with a crimson cardinal’s song. My mind is scattered, and I feel like I’ve been stretched too thin.
I’m thinking about packing lunches, painting walls, mid-morning Zoom calls, and new rain boots for the little one. I could use a few Biblical coping strategies for stress today.
I don’t want to be stretched and stressed.
I’m tired of snapping at my kids and rushing through moments I should have cherished.
“I need a stress detox,” I whisper to no one in particular.
Throughout the past months, I’ve had dozens of conversations with women who are stretched and stressed, just like me. We’ve been crying far too easily. We’ve been escaping into Netflix, Doritos, social media, or whatever will numb the realities of our lives.
Space to Breathe
We’re tired on a soul level.
We all need a stress detox.
But how do we detox from the stress of our lives when we can’t exactly opt-out of nonnegotiable roles like parenthood and bringing in the money needed to pay the bills?
As my thoughts and worries accumulate beneath twirling ribbons of morning light, I pull out an old-fashioned notebook and barely sharpened pencil. I begin listing ideas to help pull me from the whirlwind of stress that has become my new normal.
My list includes ideas such as, “Drink tea while the little one naps, break up with my to-do list, stop eating my feelings, and begin the day with a few minutes of silence.”
Throughout the next few weeks, I intentionally slow down. Every time I feel my chest tightening with stress and worry, I take a deep breath, return to my list, and employ a strategy to help me reclaim peace.
Some of my strategies are too far-fetched for this very full season of life with three little ones. However, some of the strategies work.
Gradually, over the course of a few weeks, something miraculous happens. I realize I’m snapping less at the kids, enjoying our moments more, and living in a way that’s more attuned to what God is doing around me. It feels like I’ve just undergone some kind of stress detox.
3 Biblical Coping Strategies for Stress:
Here are a few highlights from my journey of pursuing life with less stress and deeper peace:
1. If you want less stress in life, slow your pace.
I’ve written about this dozens of times, so forgive me for beating a dead horse.
Perhaps I keep writing about it because I keep needing to remind myself. Just when I think I’ve learned to live without hurry, I go and have a baby, or a global pandemic sends my kids home from school, or I realize I’ve overbooked our schedule again.
Meanwhile, time and time again, the truth is the same: Hurry ruins my days. It stresses me out. I yell at my family and grumble under my breath. I feel like I can’t get a grip.
I’m breaking up with hurry again. For the millionth time.
I’m breaking up with hurry again. For the millionth time. #hurry #SlowingDown #LiveSlow Share on X2. Relish the gifts in your life, and you will push out the stress.
You can’t be stressed out while you’re sincerely soaking in the goodness of God’s gifts around you.
I’m learning to relish God’s gifts, especially the simple ones.
I’ve been embracing cool autumn mornings, snuggles with wiggly bodies, and meals shared around the kitchen table. I’m enjoying good food, meaningful conversation, and long walks in the chilling air.
The more I give thanks, the less the stress weighs on my shoulders.
3. Steward the calling but leave the outcomes to God.
In this season of my life, God has called me to love my family, pour into others, write words, and serve in myriads of quiet and humble ways.
Unfortunately, I tend to turn my calling into a to-do list. I tend to set high standards and stress out over completing every item on my list perfectly. I want the outcomes to fall in pleasant places, and I stress out over it.
I’m learning to change my approach. I’ve been learning to give my best effort and leave the results in God’s hands. These responsibilities are mine to steward, but they are not mine to control.
What does the Bible say about stress and anxiety? Find out here! #stress #anxiety Share on XIf this post has helped you reflect on stress and anxiety? I invite you to explore our devotional books and eBooks below!
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!
What Does the Bible Say About Stress and Anxiety?
A Free Devotional With Dozens of Biblical Coping Strategies for Stress:
I’m excited to release a new devotional for you today. The 7-Day Stress Detox is your one-week guide to overcome the stress that has you in a stranglehold. The premise is simple: Each morning for the next seven days, I’ll invite you to take a few minutes to read the daily reading. At the end of each reading, you will find a “Stress Detox Activity.” The activity will take less than five minutes, and it will help you exchange stress for peace and start your day. Today’s post is an excerpt from the first reading in the devotional.
Click here to get your free copy using promo code STRESS. You’ll notice the retail price for this guide is $7.00 – one dollar for each day of your journey. Your financial contribution will help me pay the fees to keep my blog running, but I am also offering this online guide for free because I want it to bless you! I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
