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9 August 2025
Bible Verses About Anxiety
The Bible addresses anxiety with both compassion and authority, offering peace through trust in God. Philippians 4:6-7 calls believers to bring every worry to Him in prayer, promising His peace will guard hearts and minds. Jesus, in Matthew 6, teaches not to be anxious about tomorrow but to rest in the Father’s care, knowing He provides for His children. Anxiety is met with God’s presence, promises, and provision.
Anxiety is not new to the human story. Scripture shows that even the most faithful believers wrestled with fear, uncertainty, and worry. David fled from enemies. Elijah sat under a broom tree, despairing of life. The disciples panicked in a storm. Anxiety is part of living in a fallen world—but the Bible does not leave us without hope.
Philippians 4:6-7 gives one of the clearest instructions: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This is not a command to suppress emotions; it is an invitation to exchange them for God’s peace.
In this article, we’ll explore what the Bible says about anxiety, examples of those who faced it, how God responds to our fear, and practical ways to rest in His promises.
Understanding Anxiety in the Bible
The New Testament word most often translated “anxiety” comes from the Greek merimnaó, meaning “to be divided” or “distracted.” It captures the way worry pulls our attention in different directions, making it hard to focus on God’s truth.
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus teaches that life is more than food and the body more than clothing, and He uses the birds of the air and lilies of the field as reminders of God’s attentive care. His words are both pastoral and practical: worry cannot add a single hour to your life, so focus on seeking God’s kingdom first.
The Old Testament offers similar wisdom. Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you.” The Hebrew verb here means to “throw off” or “release completely,” showing that anxiety is something to place entirely into God’s hands.
Biblical Examples of Anxiety and God’s Care
David – Many Psalms reveal David’s anxious thoughts. In Psalm 56:3, he admits, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” His fears drove him toward God, not away.
Elijah – After the victory over the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18), Elijah ran in fear from Queen Jezebel. Alone and discouraged, he prayed for death. God met him not with rebuke but with rest, food, and a gentle whisper.
Hannah – In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah’s deep anguish over her inability to conceive brought her to tears before the Lord. She poured out her soul in prayer, and God answered her cry.
Jesus in Gethsemane – In Luke 22:44, Jesus was “in agony” as He prayed before His crucifixion. His example shows that anxiety should lead us to earnest prayer and surrender to the Father’s will.
How God Responds to Our Anxiety
God’s answer to anxiety is consistent throughout Scripture: His presence, His peace, and His promises.
His Presence – Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you… I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you.” God does not remove every trial, but He promises to walk with us through them.
His Peace – John 14:27 records Jesus’ words: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you… Let not your hearts be troubled.” This peace is supernatural—it is not tied to circumstances but to Christ Himself.
His Promises – 1 Peter 5:7 assures us we can “cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” God’s promises are not platitudes; they are guarantees backed by His character.
Practical Steps for Overcoming Anxiety Biblically
1. Recognise the Source
Anxiety often begins when we focus on what we cannot control. The Bible calls us to examine our thoughts and test them against God’s truth (2 Corinthians 10:5).
2. Release Your Burdens to God
Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7 command us to cast our cares onto the Lord. This is an intentional act of surrender, not a passive hope that things will “just work out.”
3. Replace Worry with God’s Word
Meditation on Scripture redirects our thoughts. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.” Replace anxious thoughts with verses that affirm God’s power and care.
4. Pray with Thanksgiving
Philippians 4:6 connects prayer and gratitude as the antidote to anxiety. Thanking God—even in uncertainty—shifts our focus from fear to faith.
5. Surround Yourself with Godly Encouragement
Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us to encourage one another. Fellowship with other believers strengthens faith and combats isolation.
Devotional Reflection
Anxiety divides our attention between God’s truth and our fears. The call of Scripture is to close that gap—bringing every worry to Him in prayer, meditating on His promises, and resting in His sovereignty. God’s peace does not always change our circumstances, but it changes us in the midst of them.
Short Prayer for Anxiety
Lord, when my heart is heavy and my mind is restless, remind me of Your nearness. Help me to lay my worries before You and trust that You are in control. Guard my thoughts with Your peace. Amen.
Author
Shafraz Jeal
Shafraz Jeal is a Christian writer, evangelist, and ministry leader with a passion for seeing lives transformed by the gospel. Formerly a Muslim, Shafraz encountered Jesus Christ in 2016, a turning point that reshaped every part of his life. Since then, he has served in church leadership, led evangelism initiatives, and ministered in deliverance and healing. Shafraz combines biblical depth with a heart for practical discipleship, equipping believers to live boldly for Christ and inviting seekers to discover the truth of the gospel.
Key Bible Verses
Key Bible Verses About Anxiety
Philippians 4:6-7 – Pray about everything; receive God’s peace.
Matthew 6:25-34 – Do not be anxious about tomorrow.
1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxieties on God.
Psalm 55:22 – God will sustain you.
Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not; God is with you.
John 14:27 – Jesus gives peace unlike the world.
Luke 22:44 – Jesus prayed in deep anguish.
Psalm 56:3 – Trust God when afraid.
Isaiah 26:3 – Perfect peace for those who trust God.
Proverbs 12:25 – Anxiety weighs the heart; a good word cheers it.