Silt-covered stones sleep on the creek bottom as if they’re entirely oblivious to the current threatening to wash them away. I’ve come to the woods because my heart is heavy, and I need space to sort through my worries. Pulling out my Bible and journal, I begin searching for Scriptures to battle anxiety and stress. I list each of my current worries in my journal and search my Bible for truth to speak into eachsituation. As I process my concerns and copy the words of truth into my journal, I notice a shift in my soul.

My circumstances have not changed, but my heart has moved toward peace. When stress, anxiety, and worry overwhelm us, God’s Word is grounding. We can speak His Word to calm our fears and quiet our anxious minds. Throughout the past two decades, speaking Scripture in the face of my worries and fears has
drastically changed how I fight these battles. Maybe you’ve been feeling anxious or wrestling with worry as well. If so, here are 10 powerful Scriptures to battle anxiety and fear.

10 Scriptures to Battle Anxiety

1. Trust His sufficiency.

Our loving heavenly Father invites us to cast our anxieties on him.  No burden is too heavy for God to lift, and no care is too great for God to handle. God is a good Father, and he cares deeply for his children.  If you are carrying a heavy burden—a burden that is causing stress and anxiety—cast it on God today. You might need to cast it many more times in the future, but you can trust that God is always waiting to lift it from you.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5: 6-7 (ESV)

2. Trust His promises.

God promises never to leave his children.  The next time anxiety feels consuming, remind yourself that God is with you.  Ask him to help you press into his loving presence as you exchange anxiety for peace.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

3. Trust God’s Word.

Several years ago, our children memorized this verse before the first week of school.  Everyone was feeling nervous and unsettled.  Every time nervous and anxious thoughts emerged, we spoke these words.  The school year still felt uncertain, but the children found peace as they looked to God for support.  This has been an anchoring verse for our family for years.

“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 (ESV)

4. Trust in His peace.

Years ago, when I was worried about a difficult situation at work, an older friend looked at me and said, “Worrying leads us to believe we are doing something helpful; praying actually does something.” In other words, instead of worrying, we can turn to God in prayer.  As Philippians 4:7 reminds us, when we bring our requests to God, he responds by giving us peace.

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” Matthew 6:27 (ESV)

5. Trust His wisdom.

When life doesn’t make sense, this powerful promise reminds us that God can use any situation for good.  I’ve learned to pray, “God, I don’t understand why you are allowing this, but I trust that you can and will use this for good.”

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

6. Trust His character.

This short verse is a powerful truth to memorize and speak in uncertain times. God promises to give peace to those who trust in him.  At times, it can be difficult to trust God with our circumstances.  During these times, we can pray, “Father, I’m having trouble trusting you.  Please help me to grow in trust.” This prayer aligns with God’s desire for us, and he will answer.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

7. Trust His timing.

I have a terrible habit of ruminating over my worries and calling it prayer. It’s important to note that thinking about our difficult circumstances is not the same as praying for them.  When the troubles of life bring anxiety, God wants us to cry out to him in prayer.  He is waiting to deliver us.  

God’s timing and his ways aren’t often the same as ours, but we can trust that his deliverance will come in his perfect timing.

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17 (ESV)

8. Trust His strength.

We are told to put on the full armor of God and stand against the attacks of the enemy (see Ephesians 6:10-18); meanwhile, we can also trust that God is working in the situations that feel far beyond our control. Our role is to do our best to steward the assignments God places in front of us and trust him with the results. These words were spoken to the Israelites, and they are true for us.

“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:14 (ESV)

9. Trust His care.

Most of us know that God loves us, but we have a difficult time grasping just how much he enjoys us.  According to this verse, God delights in us so much that he sings over us. The next time you feel overwhelmed by anxiety, imagine God holding you in his arms, quieting you with his love (like a tender father), and singing over you.

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)

10. Trust His Embrace.

When anxiety feels like a heavy burden, Jesus invites us to draw near to him.  He wants to lift our burdens and give us rest. Have you turned to Jesus in your anxiety?  He is waiting with open arms.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (ESV)

Let’s Apply These Scriptures to Our Lives

The enemy often attacks on the frontlines of our minds.  He sends anxious thoughts and hopes these thoughts will paralyze us with fear or lead us to turn away from God in worry. He knows that when our eyes are fixed on our worries, we cannot look to Jesus at the same time.

Instead of focusing on fear and worry, I’ve learned to recognize these feelings as prompts that remind me to look to Jesus.  I look to Jesus by imagining him on his heavenly throne, speaking his Word, worshiping, and talking to him.  

I encourage you to speak these Bible verses when anxiety and worry rise up within you.  In doing so, you will take the weapons meant to destroy you and turn them against the enemy. Jesus wants to help you, and his Word is living and active.  Let him fill you with his strength for the battle today.  He is waiting.

Let’s pray: Lord God, thank you for your unconditional love for me.  Please help me remember to turn to you and stand on your Word when I feel anxious and worried.  You are my source of peace and hope, but I easily become engulfed by the cares of life.  Please help me keep my eyes on you so that I might walk in your peace.

5 More Scriptures To Battle Anxiety

• Philippians 4:6-7 ESV “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.”
• John 14:27 ESV “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.“
• Psalm 55:22 ESV “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.“
• Hebrews 13:6 ESV “So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
• Isaiah 35:4 ESV “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.“