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In this post: Our everyday lives can be full of anxiety and worry. And in extraordinary times, it can be hard not to feel the stress intensely. Here are twenty calming Bible verses for worry, stress, and anxiety to help you focus. 

Life on this earth can be really, really hard. It can be easy to let worry, stress, and anxiety takes over our thoughts. But, there are so many calming Bible verses that we can cling to to help to soothe our weary souls and to fend off worry, stress, and anxiety. 

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is often a sudden feeling that can strike you out of nowhere.

Sometimes it feels like panic or fear, other times anxiety will be sharp pain in your chest and a lump in your throat.

Anxiety can happen when loud noises are heard, smells trigger an unusual reaction, or sights remind you of something negative from the past.

Sometimes, anxiety gives no reason at all.

How Can I Reduce Anxiety?

To reduce anxiety, you can ground yourself in the present moment by focusing on your own thoughts and feelings. This doesn’t have to be difficult – take a few deep breaths or remind yourself of what you love about your life.

How Can I Reduce Stress?

To decrease stress levels, try taking some time for self-care. This might mean:

  • eating breakfast before work
  • going outside at lunchtime to get some fresh air indoors
  • reading aloud from a book that makes you happy instead of watching television until bedtime

Anxiety can be overwhelming and it is easy to get lost in worries. The best way to keep your anxiety levels low, however, is by taking control of your thoughts and remembering Scripture when you start feeling anxious.

Using Bible Verses for Worry, Stress and Anxiety to Calm Yourself

It’s easy to get anxious and stressed. One of the best ways to relieve this is by repeating Bible verses because they bring relief even in moments with overwhelming anxiety levels. 

You can repeat them in your head, but saying them out loud or even under your breath can help you get your breathing and heart rate back to normal as well. 

What Does God Say About Stress and Anxiety?

The apostle Paul reminds us, even in the days of Jesus, “Our hope comes from God. May He fill you with joy and peace because of your trust in Him. May your hope grow stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit” – Romans 15:13 

Not only should you not be fearful, but you are to let your heart, body, mind, and soul be filled with joy. This verse is just one of many sprinkled throughout the Bible that are wonderful to have stored in your mind or written somewhere; always nearby when needed so long as it can provide a calming effect like first aid for yourself. I call my bible my First Aid Kit because time after time it has rescued me from stressful situations where I need help finding calmness most.

It is not easy to live this life with a spirit of fear, or timidness. It can be very tempting to lose yourself in that spiral and succumb to negativity but it’s important for you to ground yourself when the world feels like it’s creeping in on your joy. Combat those negative thoughts with the truth of God’s promises which are given freely without any religious obligations

Remember that He is here to guide you, and will never challenge you with something that you can’t face. God never gives us more than we can handle.

The bible talks about stress and worries many times. Over and over again, Jesus tells us not to be worried or anxious about our lives. What we will eat, or what we will wear, even what tomorrow will bring. 

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.”

We are to give our worries to Him because He walks through things with us. 

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

What Does the Bible Say About Peace? 

By giving our worries and concerns to Jesus, and believing in Him alone, Jesus says that we gain a peace – HIS peace – that surpasses all understanding. 

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.”

How to Use the Calming Bible Verses for Worry, Stress, and Anxiety and Customize Them for YOU

Below I’ve listed the calming bible verses for worry, stress, and anxiety. If you subscribe to our free email updates, you’ll also get these verses sent to your inbox as reminders over the next few days.

Here’s how you can keep these verses front and center in your day-to-day life:

  • Print the verses out and put them where you can see them every day. Especially when you first wake up and before you go to bed, to sort of bookend your day with God’s truth. Perhaps, tape them to your bathroom mirror, set them on your nightstand, or put them on the fridge.
  • Another way to use the reading plan below and customize it for you is to grab some cue cards, or cut up paper, and write the verses down, one at a time.
  • Also, read them out loud when you see them each day. 
  • And finally, memorize the verses you love most. 

By reading these calming bible verses for worry, stress, and anxiety, writing them, speaking them, and memorizing them, they will become more ingrained in your brain and will sink deep for easy recall when you again feel pressure or worry. 

20 Calming Bible Verses for Worry, Stress, and Anxiety

Okay, so as I mentioned, there are many bible verses that God inspired others to speak about anxiety and worry.

Here are my favorites, in standard books of the bible order.

01| Psalm 16:8

“I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

02| Psalm 23:4 

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

03| Psalm 46:10  

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,  I will be exalted in the earth!”

This is more of instruction than anything, from God. To be still. To be calm. Knowing that the same God who made the world made you and loves you should help to reduce your anxiety. A lot of anxiety comes in fast-paced bursts and makes your heart and mind race. Take a deep breath and just be still. Remember that it’s okay to slow down. Also be mindful that you are exactly how God made you, and He is always there to hold your hand while you’re learning to overcome your fears.

04| Psalm 55:22 

“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

05| Psalm 56:3

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

06| Psalm 121:1-2 

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”

07| Proverbs 3:5-6 

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

08| Proverbs 12:25

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

09| Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

10| Matthew 6:25-27 

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”

11| 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.”

12| 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.”

We have to choose to come to the Lord for help, but when we do, He greets us with arms wide open. God wants to give you rest. He asks you to come to Him in your times of anxiety and trust in Him to give you the rest your mind and body need. 

Take refuge in Christ and know that you have a place of peace even in the most nerve-wracking and overwhelming of times. After you’re firm in that belief, take advantage of that safe space. It will always be there and available to you as long as you call on Him.

13| Luke 12:25  

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his  span of life?”

14| 1 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.”

15| Romans 8:31 

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

16| Philippians 4:6-7 

“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, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

17| Colossians 3:15 

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

Close your eyes and think about peace, let it rule your heart. As you reflect on all Christ did for your sins, think how much peace He has to offer within that alone. Don’t let the stress of worldly things overwhelm you. At the end of the day, you’ve been saved and you will be okay! Let this be the message your mind and heart reflect upon all of the time, but especially in times that you’re feeling anxious.

18| 2 Thessalonians 3:16 

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

19| Hebrews 13:6 

“So we can confidently say,  “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

20| 1 Peter 5:7

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 

You may find that talking your anxieties out with God can help you through the situation. He wants nothing more than for you to feel at ease. He loves you infinitely and will always be a helping hand on your journey through your worries. He cares more than you even realize, and communicating your worries alone can ease your mind.

bible open in the woods

All of these calming verses for worry, stress, and anxiety are a steady reminder that the Lord is there for you even when you feel alone.

Your trust in Him is what will get you through difficult times, especially if things seem to be racing and it feels like nothing can stop them.

When everything around seems so frantic and chaotic, let Jesus Christ be your rock! He’s always calm no matter how hard life gets or where He finds himself; whether sitting on his throne up high with every angel near Him or deep down under our feet surrounded by dirt but never seeming discouraged – He’s still just as faithful now as ever before.

More Calming Bible Reading Plans for Worry, Stress and Anxiety

There are, of course, so many more books and devotions that will help you in your quest for calm and peace in the midst of stress and anxiety. Here are a few:

Bible-Based Books to Calm Anxiety

If you want to get into a good book to reduce your anxiety, check out these Bible-based books by Christian authors:

Having trouble sleeping?

Maybe it’s your physical environment that’s causing some sleep issues. If so, you may want to try our 10 Essential Oil Diffuser Blends for Sleep. Or grab our 5-day email guide for less stress and more sleep.

Want a more peaceful, Christ-filled home?

Check out my new book, Home Made Lovely. 

In it, I walk you through how to:

  • perform a house blessing to dedicate your home to God
  • be thankful for your current home and what you already have

I meet you right where you are on your home journey, helping you share the peace of Christ with family members and guests.

Home Made Lovely Book on table with coffee and tea

More Faith-Building and Bible Verses

If you’ve been saved, cast your anxieties to the side, the Lord will help you carry them every step along the way. What are your favorite verses to call on in times of anxiety?

Do you have any favorite calming bible verses for worry, stress, and anxiety? Please share them in the comments below!

shannon photo and sig oct 2022