25 Calming Bible Verses About Worry and Anxiety
These 25 Bible verses about worry to calm anxiety are just a few of the ones I have claimed and prayed over specific situations that were worrying me. Friend, God is bigger than your fears, your stress, and your worries.
His plans for you are joy and peace, despite the struggles you are facing. Take strength in these calming Bible verses.
My Experience with Worry, Anxiety and Stress
In the last month of my unexpected pregnancy with my third child I majorly struggled with anxiety. I had already had a challenging pregnancy with gestational diabetes and my physicians were telling me if my baby didn’t change positions soon they may have to schedule a c-section which felt like a HUGE complication in many different ways.
There were suddenly so many unknowns with my husbands job, my health, our baby’s safety, my other children’s needs, people traveling to see us, etc. etc.
My worries were overflowing.
“What if Nate could only have a few days off work when it was time for our child to be born?”
“What if we tried to manually turn the baby and there were problems?”
“What if I couldn’t lift Barrett up and down from his crib after a c-section?”
I felt like my mind was running a thousand miles a minute with all the problems and trying to find solutions to every potential situation.
One night after the kids were in bed and when Nate was working late, I sat down and wrote out all the things that were causing me stress. Every. Single. One.
A full front and back page of pouring out my heart later, I began to line by line, pray over each stressor, claiming the promise of that I could “give all my cares and worries to God because He cares for me.” (I Peter 5:7)
I said things like “God, I can’t control the position my baby is in, but you know the plans you have for me. God, please let me deliver my baby safely. Keep my mind fixed on You-your promises, your goodness, your love-and replace my fear with peace.”
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At the end of an emotional prayer time I claimed this verse:
“If God hadn’t been there for me I never would have made it. The minute I said, “I’m slipping, I’m falling,” Your love, God, took hold and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, You called me down and cheered me up. -Psalm 94:17-19
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Over the years I have done this process countless times for countless worries. I have chosen prayer and Scripture over anxiety and stress.
God has not answered every prayer the way I wanted, but each answer has been good and it has led me closer and closer to Him.
Here are 25 Bible verses for anxiety and worry you can claim and pray through when you are filled with anxious thoughts.
25 Calming Bible Verses for Worry, Anxiety and Stress
I chose these 15 verses because they are each special to me. I landed on the amount of 15 because it is not overwhelming.There are, of course, more verses on peace, rest, and trusting God in the Bible!!
As you read and study the Bible I’m sure God will bring even more Bible verses on anxiety and fear to you as you read.
I’d recommend starting a note in your phone or a special notebook to write down these verses so you can go back and remind yourself of them when you need them.
Of these 15, I hope one will stand out to you and become your anchor in your anxiety. Memorize it, meditate on it, place it around your house where you can see it often.
I pray this list of Bible verses will be one tool that God uses to bring healing and peace to your heart, mind and soul. If you want to dive deeper into studying the promises of God check out my Claiming the Promises of God Bible study.
1. If God hadn’t been there for me I never would have made it. The minute I said, “I’m slipping, I’m falling,” Your love, God, took hold and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, You called me down and cheered me up.
-Psalm 94:17
Life is stressful and sometimes it feels like you are sinking deeper and deeper. God promises His love and care right in these kinds of moments.
2. Cease striving and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heavens I will be exalted in all the earth. -Psalm 46:10
Some translations use “Be still” instead of “Cease striving” in this passage. The idea is to calm yourself. Like a child in over its head in the waves can sometimes fight against the lifeguard who is only trying to help—you have to be still and allow God to carry you and help you.
3. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! -Isaiah 26:3
Refocus your mind on the Lord. It’s easy to let yourself get carried away in your worry. But stay calm. Repeat the promises of God out loud over yourselves found in these calming Scriptures.
4. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. -1 Peter 5:7
I completely understand that this is sometimes way easier to say than to do. I like to journal out my worries and then spend time praying and surrendering each one.
5. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7
Pray is like a guardian of our souls–filling us with peace when peace makes no sense. Talk to God all day long about your worries. Just tell him how you feel.
6. Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.
-John 14:1
Trust is the core of any relationship. Grow your trust in God just how you grow your trust in another person–by spending time with Him.
7. I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
-John 14:27
Peace is God’s gift to us. You won’t find it chasing after the things the world says will satisfy. Ask God to show you and fill you with His perfect peace.
8. Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30
This is probably my favorite of all these Bible verses about worry–God’s simple reassurance to be WITH us when our yoke feels heavy. When life is hard He makes it easier with His presence WITH US in the pain.
9. That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
-Matthew 6:25-27
If you are looking for evidence of God taking care of you–look no further than nature. God holds it all together perfectly and the birds and the flowers and He will always provide and care for you too.
10. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. -Psalm 37:7
It’s so hard to worry when it feels like evil is winning. But God is in charge of justice and He is working in ways we can’t always see or understand. Rest and trust Him.
11. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. -Jeremiah 29:11
This promise is so dear. It was spoken to the nation of Israel in the midst of their captivity, when the worst thing imaginable had happened….into that kind of trouble God spoke of His amazing, hopeful plan for their peace and good.
12. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. -Zephaniah 3:17
What a beautiful word picture of our Father God, singing a sweet lullaby over our lives. I think of the nights when my kids have bad dreams and crawl into my bed and I sing peace over them. That is what God wants to do for you to, my friend.
13. The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? -Psalm 27:1
God has always got you. Always. There is no need to fear when God is our fortress, a strong protection always around us.
14. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. -Revelation 1:17
It all begins and ends with Jesus. He holds all of life in His hands. I love these beautiful words spoken over John, the beloved disciple and that Jesus speaks over each of us too.
15. For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” Isaiah 41:13
God is holding you by your hand–close and safe. He is willing and able to help you with your worry and anxiety.
16. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” -Matthew 14:27
Jesus never minimized the storm the disciples were going through, rather He came to them walking on the storm. He encouraged them and used the storm to bring them to an experience with Him that led them to believe in and worship Him.
17. When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? -Psalm 56:4-3
These verses are the words I sung whenever I had a nightmare as a child. I love the reminder that WHEN not IF I am afraid, I will trust in God. Fear is an emotion given by God, but worry–to choose to keep ruminating on a fear– is a sinful cycle that can be broken by praise, prayer, and trust.
18. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. -Joshua 1:9
God’s presence with us in our scary situations, with us in our anxieties is what can give us courage.
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19. An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. -Proverbs 12:25
Your words are powerful. Speak kindly to others–you never know when you can be encouraging someone who is anxious. Also, learn to speak kindly to yourself–with the care and the love a good friend would provide.
20. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. -Psalm 91:4-6
Psalm 91 is a beautiful Psalm to pray over your life when you are scared or struggling with anxiety. Ask God to do exactly what He promises to do in this passage–to hold you close, to guard you with His faithfulness, to give you an absence of fear in spite of danger.
21. Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. -Proverbs 19:25
Can you worry forever about what people will think of you? Yes. But it’s a trap. Release your worry and need to people-please and focus on trusting and knowing the God who loves you so much He sent His son to die for you.
22. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid, The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song and has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. -Isaiah 12:2-3
As God’s children our salvation is secure and our birthright is JOY, not fear.
23. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. -Psalm 127:2
God gives rest to his loved ones. You are his loved one and you don’t need to keep anxiously straining, burning the candle at both ends, exhausting yourself–He gives rest.
24. But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. -1 Peter 3:14
God is always in control. It may seem like evil has the upper hand sometimes, but God is in complete control and completely loves you. Your eternity is secure, so you can live without worry, even when life is hard.
25. This is what the Lord says—he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. -Isaiah 44:2
God made you expertly and formed you for a purpose. He is will empower you. He has chosen you. Don’t be afraid.
Each of these verses is a promise from God. If you want to dive deeper into studying the promises of God check out my Claiming the Promises of God Bible study!
Each of these verses is an invitation to choose trust over worry, anxiety, and fear.*
*This is not to say that prayer will cure your depression or anxiety disorder or mental illness. If you are in a state of anxiety or depression please have a conversation with your health provider and establish a treatment plan to address your illness. I
DO think believe prayer and speaking life-giving Bible verses over yourself along with exercise, meditation, seeing a good therapist, spending time outdoors, etc can be a tool in your toolbox of managing mental illness.
If you know a friend who struggles with worry or stress I’d be honored if you shared this post with them!
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Hi! Thanks for sharing your go-to verses! I think it’s great that you have this process you’ve used many times.
There’s one confusing spot where you say you chose 15 verses because that number is not too overwhelming. Since you promise (and then deliver) 25 verses, I thought you might like to know about that small typo.
I found your blog because of your She Reads Truth review. Great work here, looks like! Very nice blog.