7 Scriptures that Can Ease Your Anxiety

Have you ever met someone who says they have never experienced anxiety? Neither have I. It’s safe to say that anxiety is a widespread problem. In my article, The Body-Mind-Soul Connection on Patheos, I looked at new research into the link between faith and physical and mental health. It begs this question: how do we tap into our godly resource when we feel anxious, stressed or upset but don’t know where to begin? In today’s post, I am sharing 7 scriptures that can ease your anxiety and comfort your soul. In a future post, I’ll share 7 passages from the Old Testament.

Let me clarify one point. I don’t mean that reading scripture is a cure-all for serious mental illness. But I am saying that reading certain Bible verses can calm mild anxiety. And it also may be beneficial when used with behavioral counseling and medication for more difficult problems. So, put aside your skepticism and doubts, play some soothing music and join me as we consider these verses.

For God So Loved the World…

One of the most iconic verses in the Bible is this one: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

This beautiful verse says quite a bit in a few words. Christ blessed us with it when a Pharisee named Nicodemus visited him one night. Nicodemus had questions, and his conversation with the Lord went straight to the heart of Christianity, as recorded in John 3:16.

Christ told Nicodemus that God wants us to know he loves us enough to have sent Jesus to earth to die for us. And Jesus loves us enough that he endured a terrible death for us.

We don’t deserve that kind of love, and we cannot earn it. It’s called grace, and it’s ours if we choose to accept it. Now, close your eyes, think past your anxieties and try to let God’s love sink into your heart. Focus on the greatest love you have ever felt and know that God loves you more.

I Can Do All This Through Him….

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

Another popular verse is this one from Philippians, which the apostle Paul wrote in the form of a letter to Christians in the Greek city of Philippi. But he wrote it to us as well.

In modern times, people sometimes drop the ending, which is the most important part of the verse, and put the remaining words on a bumper sticker or t-shirt. I can do all this is not only arrogant, but it also puts a heavy burden on us. Do you really want to live by that motto? I don’t.

As he wrote the letter, Paul may have thought about the suffering he experienced as a Christian apostle in a hostile world. He may have remembered being shipwrecked, stoned, beaten and whipped. Yet, God gave him the strength he needed in order to persevere.

Paul suffered a great deal, but God was with him every step of the way. Why didn’t God simply make Paul’s problems go away? I don’t know, but he never left him just as he never leaves us.

Don’t Be Anxious….

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 minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

Many of us are chronic worriers. I’m well acquainted with anxiety, as I’m a world-class worrier. It’s in my genes. Yet I know that if we accept that God made this marvelous universe in which we live, surely we also should accept that he can help us with our problems.

No, I don’t believe God created everything in six 24-hour days, but I do give him credit for creating the universe and everything in it. With that kind of power, anything is possible.

When we’re anxious or stressed, we can talk to him because he’s always just a prayer away. We can thank him for the good things in our lives… ask for help and guidance with the bad…. Read scriptures that can ease our anxiety…. Then, pour out our needs and accept the peace he offers.

Don’t Worry About Tomorrow….

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (Matthew 6:34).

This verse is one of those scriptures that can ease your anxiety if you let it, but there’s more to consider. The passage goes on to say, Look at the birds in the air. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds. You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it…. Seek first what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met.

Think about these verses, and if you’re able, take a walk and enjoy the birds and fresh air.

Come to Me, All You Who Are Weary….

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 soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 28:30).

This is another of those scriptures that can ease your anxiety if you let it. Each of us has felt burdened at some point in our lives, and the solution is incredibly inviting. Lay down your burden and accept the peace and rest that Christ offers.

When he uttered those words, Christ was talking to people who were saddled by heavy physical labor compounded by the religious burdens placed on them by the Pharisees. These religious leaders had never met a rule they didn’t like, and they vigorously enforced each and every one of them. They even reprimanded Christ for “working” on the Sabbath when he healed a man’s hand.

And God Will Wipe Every Tear….

And God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (Revelation 21:4).

Problems, sadness and grief are inevitable. But God promises us that once he enacts his final judgment on the world, we will be free of all physical and emotional pain. Every wrong will be made right and all sin will be gone.

I have never been an ardent reader of Revelation because it is quite difficult to understand. But this verse gives me comfort. Once the old order passes away, we will enjoy a heavenly existence.

Peace I Leave with You….

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be trouble and do not be afraid (John 14:27).

When Christ says peace, he isn’t talking about the absence of problems. He’s talking about the stillness and calm we will feel in our hearts. Peace on earth doesn’t mean we will be free of worry. It means God helps us get through our worries. That alone should bring us comfort.

Can you think of any scriptures that can ease your anxiety? The Bible is filled with them. All you have to do is look.