Bible verses about anxiety: 14 passages for when your mind will not rest
The Bible does not treat anxiety as a lack of faith. It invites you to bring every worry to God in prayer (Philippians 4:6-7), to take one day at a time (Matthew 6:34), and to cast your cares on the One who cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). These passages are gathered here in the Berean Standard Bible, with the King James wording one tap away.
When worry keeps you up at night
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:6-7 (BSB)
Paul wrote this from prison. The promise is not that the problem vanishes, but that a peace beyond understanding will stand guard over your heart while you wait.
King James Version
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.1 Peter 5:7 (BSB)
Casting is an active word: you throw the weight off. The reason given is simple: he cares for you.
King James Version
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.When anxiety overwhelms me, Your consolation delights my soul.Psalm 94:19 (BSB)
The psalmist does not pretend the anxious thoughts are few. Comfort meets them in the middle of the crowd.
King James Version
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.Psalm 4:8 (BSB)
A verse many people pray at bedtime. Safety here rests on God, not on everything being settled.
King James Version
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.When you are afraid of what tomorrow holds
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.Matthew 6:34 (BSB)
Jesus closes his teaching on worry by shrinking the horizon. Tomorrow has its own trouble; today only has to carry today.
King James Version
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.Isaiah 41:10 (BSB)
Four promises in one verse: I am with you, I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will uphold you.
King James Version
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”Joshua 1:9 (BSB)
Spoken to a leader stepping into an unknown land. Courage is commanded because God goes too.
King James Version
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.John 14:27 (BSB)
Jesus says this the night before the cross. His peace is a gift, not an achievement.
King James Version
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.When you feel it in your body
Anxiety is not only a thought. It is a tight chest, a racing heart, a mind that will not switch off. Scripture speaks to the whole person.
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.Matthew 11:28-29 (BSB)
An invitation to the tired and weighed down. Rest is found in coming, not in fixing yourself first.
King James Version
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.Psalm 55:22 (BSB)
The word translated burden can mean what has been given to you. You are allowed to hand it back.
King James Version
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas,Psalm 46:1-2 (BSB)
Written for moments when it feels like the ground itself is giving way.
King James Version
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;When you need to remember who holds you
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 8:38-39 (BSB)
A list of everything that might frighten you, and the one thing none of it can do.
King James Version
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.2 Timothy 1:7 (BSB)
Fear is not the spirit you were given. Power, love and self-control are (a sound mind, in the King James wording).
King James Version
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.Isaiah 26:3 (BSB)
Peace follows where the mind rests. Trust is less a feeling than a place you keep returning to.
King James Version
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.How to pray these verses
- Name it. Tell God exactly what you are anxious about, in plain words. Philippians 4:6 says in everything, which includes the small, embarrassing worries.
- Pick one verse. Do not try to hold all fourteen. Choose the one that meets you today and read it slowly, three times.
- Give thanks for one thing. Paul pairs prayer with thanksgiving. One true thing you are grateful for is enough.
- Hand it over. Say out loud that you are leaving it with God for tonight. If it comes back, do it again.
If anxiety is stopping you from sleeping, eating or getting through the day, please talk to a doctor or counsellor as well. Prayer and professional care work together. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 in the US, or your local emergency number.
Questions people ask
Is anxiety a sin according to the Bible?
No. The Bible speaks of faithful people who were deeply troubled, including David in the Psalms and Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38). When Scripture says do not be anxious, it is an invitation to bring the worry to God, not a verdict on you for feeling it.
What is the best Bible verse for anxiety?
Philippians 4:6-7 is the passage most people turn to, because it gives both a practice (pray about everything, with thanksgiving) and a promise (the peace of God will guard your heart and mind). 1 Peter 5:7 is a close second for its simplicity.
What does the Bible say about overthinking?
Matthew 6:34 tells us not to borrow trouble from tomorrow, and 2 Corinthians 10:5 speaks of taking every thought captive. Isaiah 26:3 promises peace to the mind that stays on God.
Which Bible translation is used on this page?
Each verse is shown in the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), a modern public-domain translation, with the King James Version (KJV) under each passage.
Read next
- Bible verses about fear: 16 passages for when you are afraidBible verses about fear with the BSB and KJV text and a short note on each: Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 56:3-4, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 John 4:18 and more.
- Bible verses about peace: 16 passages for a restless heartBible verses about peace of mind, peace with God and peace with others, in the BSB and KJV with a note on each: Isaiah 26:3, John 14:27, Romans 5:1 and more.
- Bible verses about stress: 17 passages for when you are stretched too thinBible verses about stress and pressure, in the BSB and KJV with a short note on each: Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 46:10, Luke 10:41-42, Exodus 18:17-18 and more.
- How to pray when you are anxious: a gentle, step-by-step guideHow to pray when anxiety takes over: a five-minute prayer, breath prayers, words for when you have none, help for sleepless nights, and when to get more help.