10 Helpful Scriptures for When You Struggle with Anxiety

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 4:6-7).

Anxiousness does not have to be our lot in life. The Apostle Paul tells us that we don’t have to be anxious, or have anxiety, about anything. Instead, we are admonished to lift everything up to the Lord in prayer, with thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving takes our focus off ourselves and what we’re going through, and on the Lord’s grace, mercy, and favor. The Apostle Paul reminds us that God desires to hear our prayers. God wants us to come to Him about everything hardship we’re facing. And God wants us to petition Him, to bring our requests to Him. Paul tells us that when we do so, God will give us a peace that will guard our hearts and minds. And that’s exactly what an anxious person needs – a peaceful heart and mind.

Design Credit: Rachel Dawson

Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you, (1 Peter 5:7).

When we stand on Philippians 4:6-7, we’re actually casting our cares upon the Lord. The Greek word which is translated “casting” means “to throw upon (literally or figuratively).” God wants us to throw our cares upon Him. He wants us to lift the heaven burden off our shoulders and throw them to Him. Why?  Because God cares about us. God loves us and doesn’t want us burdened down by the cares we’re carrying.

Design Credit: Rachel Dawson

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose, (Romans 8:28).

I believe one of the biggest causes of anxiety is the unknown. I become anxious when I don’t know, and can’t figure out, how something is going to work out. I imagine all sorts of scenarios, trying to determine how a particular situation will play out.

However, Romans 8:28 reassures me that regardless the situation, God is working it together for my good. Although this verse says God will work it together for my good, it doesn’t say it will feel good. So, we may experience pain and heartbreak, but we know God will work the pain and heartbreak together for our good.

Design Credit: Rachel Dawson

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own, (Matthew 6:33-34).

As I mentioned previously, I tend to get most anxious about the unknown. I sometimes foresee a tomorrow, something bad, that never actually happens. Living this way steals the joy from today.

God is calling us to increase our focus. We need to stop focusing on something that MAY never happen to something that will happen: God’s Kingdom. His kingdom is certain. His kingdom is sure. Tomorrow on this earth isn’t. We don’t have to worry about tomorrow because God is already in tomorrow making provision for us. Stay focused on the kingdom of God and let Him worry about our tomorrows.

Photo Credit: Thinkstock/AntonioGuillem

But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things,” (Luke 10:41). 

Most of you already know the story of Jesus visiting the home of His good friends, Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. While Mary was content to sit at Jesus’ feet and enjoy His presence, Martha busied herself with serving. When Martha complained to Jesus about Mary, He told her, “...but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her,” (Luke 10:42). Choosing the “good part,” sitting at Jesus’s feet is peaceful and gives us a sense of calm. We need to be intentional about spending quality time with the Lord.

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost, (Romans 15:13).

We sometimes feel anxious when we feel hopeless. Christian women have hope through Jesus Christ. Remembering this truth and standing upon it will help us combat anxiety. God doesn’t want us to feel hopeless about tomorrow. He wants us to look to Him because He holds all our tomorrows.

Design Credit: Rachel Dawson

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind, (2 Timothy 1:7).

Fear is real. It’s a fact of life. Fear originates with the enemy, and he uses it to render us unfruitful in the Kingdom of God. However, we don’t have to succumb to fear. Indeed, we can walk in power, love, and sound mind. These are the things that originate from God and are weapons to help us overcome fear and anxiety.

Design Credit: Rachel Dawson

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong, (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Struggling with anxiety doesn’t mean you’re weak, or that you’re lacking anything. Struggling with anxiety means you’re human. The Apostle Paul encourages us in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 by telling us to glory in our infirmities because when we’re weak, we’re actually strong. Struggles compel us to lean upon the Lord, and when we do so, we find a strength we never knew we had.

Photo Credit: Rachel Dawson

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me, (Psalm 23:4).

As we established earlier, anxiety sometimes arises because of the unknown. I liken the unknown to the “shadow of death.”  When I feel anxious, it’s usually because I’ve brainstormed all the what-if scenarios and only see the worst-case scenario occurring. The worst-case scenario can feel like the shadow of death. Psalm 23:4 reminds us that we can walk through anything because the Lord is on our side. He is our hope, our protector, and our comforter.

Design Credit: Rachel Dawson

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love, (1 John 4:8).

God is love, and He loves you. He’s promised to never leave us, nor forsake us. He protects, comforts, and helps us in all our distresses because He loves us. Knowing the width and depth of His love helps us overcome anxiety. Despite what you face in life, don’t doubt God’s love for you.

My beautiful sisters-in-Christ, you do not have to succumb to anxiety. Jesus tells us in John 14:1 not to let our hearts be troubled. He beckons to us through His word, offering peace, hope, and comfort when we’re feeling anxious.

We’ve included 10 verses here to help you, but you aren’t limited to only 10. In His love, grace, and mercy toward us, God gave us 66 books full of peace, hope, and comfort. Search the Bible for scriptures, write them on index cards, carry them with you, and memorize them to help you combat anxiety.

And remember, God didn’t give anxiety to you. He gave you power, love, and a sound mind. Walk in them.

Check out this free resource from iBelieve: A 15-Day Scripture Writing Guide for Worry and Anxiety

Aretha Grant serves her local church as a bible teacher and elder. She loves writing and is the author of Overcomer: 25 Keys to Walking Victoriously. Aretha resides in Hagerstown, MD with her husband and two youngest children. You can read Aretha’s blog at www.arethagrant.com.

Design Credit: Rachel Dawson