10 Tension-Easing Bible Verses for Stress at Work
The creek writes its story in splashes of emerald and sandstone brown. I sit beside its clear waters with a heavy heart. The year is 2003, and I’ve just started my teaching career. Much to my frustration, the demands of the job are quickly shattering my dreamy ideals. I pull out my Bible as I sit in the forest, opening it with hopes of finding a few Bible verses for stress at work.
Regardless of where we work, most of us face workplace stress.
When these times come, God’s Truth can lift our heads and help us press forward.
The verses I’m sharing today carried me through my first year of teaching. They helped me keep my eyes on Jesus and encouraged me.
My prayer is that they will help you in the same ways.
Bible Verses for Stress at Work
Today, we’ll look at ten Bible verses for stress at work. Then, we’ll explore five practical steps to help alleviate stress.
I invite you to soak in the following verses. Write them in a journal or sit with them and let the truth wash over you. God wants to renew your spirit and help you find peace.
10 Bible Verses for Stress at Work
1. Psalm 118:5-6 ESV
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.
Every difficulty in your path must pass through God’s protective arms first.
When troubles come, you can trust that God has permitted them and can use them for good.
2. 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.
I tend to ruminate over my problems and call it praying. Instead of perseverating over our problems and calling it prayer, God wants us to actually pray.
Talk to him about what’s going on. Ask for his help. Meanwhile, look for reasons to give thanks in your circumstances. Giving thanks will help shift your focus.
3. 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.
4. 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.
Jesus promises peace to those who follow him.
This can be a frustrating promise when we cannot seem to find his peace.
Every year, I pray about picking a word for the year. Often, God leads me to a Bible verse that helps me apply the word to my life.
Last year, my word was peace.
I held onto the words of John 14:27 as God called me to step into many new endeavors—assignments that shook my sense of peace.
God wants to give you peace, too. If you are not walking in his peace, ask him to lead you to his peace.
He might nudge you to repeat a Bible verse when you feel shaken. He might show you a way to relieve stress or cultivate deeper peace. Follow wherever you sense he leads you.
5. Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
Has it been a while since someone spoke a kind word to you at work?
Perhaps your stress stems from self-doubt and a general sense of discouragement.
Maybe the atmosphere 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 workplace.
6. 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. We will talk about practical ways to experience his rest and peace at the end of this post.
7. 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 at work 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.
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.
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.
9. 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.
My most challenging year of work was also one of the greatest years for personal growth in my life.
God wants to use the challenges you are facing at work 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.
10. Exodus 14:14
The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.
Do you feel the need to defend yourself as you face stress at work?
Talk to God about the situation. Remember that he will fight for you. There is a time to speak out, and there is also a time to remain silent and trust that God is working on your behalf.
Apply These Bible Verses for Stress at Work to Your Life
Let’s take a moment to apply these Bible verses for stress at work to our lives.
How do we rise above stress and burnout as we aim to walk in God’s peace?
Here are a few practical ways:
1. Connect with God before going to work.
Before going to work, spend time with God. You might spend a few minutes sitting on your couch with a Bible and cup of coffee. You might talk to God while you exercise or turn off the music and connect with him while you drive to work.
There’s no right way to stay connected to God.
He wants to be your source of strength and peace all day long.
Overcome stress at work by talking to him before you get to work. Tell him what’s on your mind. Ask him for strength.
Use this time to journal, read your Bible, worship in song, or simply rest as you imagine Jesus holding you. Ask him to give you strength for what lies ahead of you.
2. Periodically pause throughout your workday to connect with God.
During my toughest teaching years, I used part of my lunch break to walk through a park behind the school and talk to God.
Walking among the conifers helped calm my limbic system. Talking to God helped me stay centered. God also used this time to fill my heart with his love and compassion for my students. It was a time to recharge and regroup.
3. Overcome stress at work by living well outside of work.
When work is stressful, it’s more essential than ever to cultivate refreshing activities outside of work.
Living well outside of work might look like taking the time to go to the gym, setting aside time for long baths, taking walks in the woods, working in your garden, spending time with friends, or reading books that help you escape the stress of work.
Ask God to show you how to de-stress at home. He will guide you.
4. Speak these words to yourself, “It’s just a job.”
Whether you invested eight years of education into acquiring your doctorate or are working as a cashier at the local grocery store, remind yourself that this job is not your entire life.
Cultivate a life outside of work and keep work in its rightful place.
Your job is a part of your life, but it’s not your entire life.
Sometimes, jobs are stressful. If your job continues to make you miserable for the next 10 months, you can change jobs. Ask God to lead you.
Your job is important. It’s a place of influence, and God has called you to make an impact for him in your workplace. It’s also just a job. Don’t let it define you or ruin you.
Your job is important. It’s a place of influence, and God has called you to make an impact for him in your workplace. It’s also just a job. Don’t let it define you or ruin you. #stress Share on X5. Ask God to fill you with love for the people at work.
This simple step can drastically change the way you view workplace stress.
Is your boss grumpy and demanding? Do your students, patients, or clients disrespect you or push your buttons? Is there a particular coworker who triggers you every day?
It’s easy to focus on these issues, allowing ourselves to be swept into the current negativity and defeat.
Instead, every night before bed—or every morning before work—ask God to fill you with love for the people with whom you interact at work. You might even write their names on a list and pray for one person from the list each day.
Ask God to show you what he wants you to know about each person. He might gently show you that those who give you the most trouble are hurting deeply. He might lead you to unexpected ways of loving and caring for these people.
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Many years have passed since I sat by the creek and prayed for God to help me overcome the stress at work. Looking back, I can count dozens of ways God used my teaching job to transform me and develop my character. It wasn’t always easy. But it was worth it.
God wants to help you manage stress at work and use it to shape your heart as well. Lean into him. He is waiting.
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