The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure.” They add, “Anxiety is not the same as fear, but they are often used interchangeably. Anxiety is considered a future-oriented, long-acting response broadly focused on a diffuse threat, whereas fear is an appropriate, present-oriented, and short-lived response to a clearly identifiable and specific threat.” Recent data also suggests that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the U.S. and affect over 40 million adults or 19.1% of the population. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most common anxiety disorder in the U.S., with 6.8 million adults affected.
The summer release, Inside Out 2, focused much of its plotline on the emotion-character of Anxiety, how it impacts the next generation, and gave us some beautiful spiritual lessons to consider. But anxiety is not a new emotion. Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with stories of those who felt anxious, including the prophet Daniel, Martha, the sister of Mary, the disciples, and more. With so many adults and teens being impacted by tension, worry, and anxious thoughts throughout history, it’s no wonder the Bible has a lot to say about this emotion. If we search God’s Word, we find powerful, spiritual wisdom regarding what we can do when we experience anxiety, what God can do about it, and truths to cling to in our times of anxiousness. Here are eight Bible verses about anxiety. Read them, internalize them, and even use them as part of your prayers when you feel worried.
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1. Isaiah 35:4
God's got you, and He's also got whatever you are worried and anxious about. Even diagnosed anxiety is in the trusted hands of our Father, who faithfully walks with us as we take steps to heal.
“Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” - Isaiah 35:4
In this passage of scripture, God’s people were suffering under tyrannical oppression, and the prophet Isaiah reminded them to trust God to rescue them. In the same way, in our times of anxiety—no matter how big or small—we can trust that God is mighty to save.
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2. Jeremiah 17:8
Those who trust in God can live secure, without fear.
“He [or she] is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” - Jeremiah 17:8
This is a biblical description of those who are so rooted in God, that even when fears come true, they are thriving and unafraid.
Click to read 6 Smart Moves and 8 Key Prayers to Improve Mental Health.
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3. Matthew 6:25-31
God will take care of your needs, as he takes care of all created things.
“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? And which of you, by being anxious can add a single hour to his or her span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin. Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ – Matthew 6: 25-31
Jesus reminds us that we have nothing to worry about – not about our food, our material needs, or our desires - because God cares for all of his creation and will absolutely care for us. Jesus wisely reminds us that anxiety does nothing helpful- worrying about something won’t fix it. Instead, we can rest in God.
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4. Matthew 6:34
There are enough things to be concerned; don’t let your imagination make you worried about things that haven’t even happened or might never happen.
“Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.- Matthew 6:34
Jesus, continuing from above (see number three) in one of his most famous sermons, reminds his followers that there is enough to worry about in real life without adding imaginary or unnecessary anxieties.
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5. 1 Corinthians 7:32
When your heart is anxious or divided because of a big decision, you can rest.
“I want you to be free from anxieties.” - 1Corinthians 7:32
This passage is about marriage and singleness. The church leader, Paul, explains to the church that married men and women are worried about their spouses, so they can’t always pursue one thing alone, God, without anxiety. This verse can apply to any major life decision. God wants us free from anxiety so that we can live for him fully.
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6. Philippians 4:6
When you feel anxious, pray about it and practice gratitude.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be make known to God.” - Philippians 4:6
In this passage, we are empowered not to worry about anything. Rather, when we feel afraid or anxious, we are invited to pray about it, practice gratitude, in in this way, focus our hearts on God, rather than our fears.
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7. Philippians 2:28
Friendship helps us feel less anxious.
“I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.” - Philippians 2:28
In this passage, the apostle Paul was excited for the Philippian church to spend time with his protegee, Timothy. For a number of reasons, Paul believed that the visit would encourage their joy and release his own anxiety. In the same way, when we are surrounded by trusted friends and a Christian community, our joy can be restored as we encourage each other to trust God with our anxiety.
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8. Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on you, because they trust you.” Isaiah 26:3
Though anxiety seeks to rob us of peace, scripture reminds us that God will keep those in perfect peace—total and complete peace—whose minds are steadily focused on him.
God himself is non-anxious, the very source of peace. So we can trust him to calm our anxious thoughts. When you or your loved ones are dealing with anxiety, look to God and God’s word for encouragement, hope, and perspective.
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Originally published Friday, 12 July 2024.