12 Bible verses for anxiety and worry (KJV)
Anxiety is not new. The Psalms are full of people who could not sleep, who felt overwhelmed, who wondered where God was. Scripture does not pretend these feelings away; it gives words to bring them to God.
Here are twelve verses for worried days, quoted in the King James Version. Read them slowly. Choose one, and keep it with you.
When you are afraid
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalm 56:3
One of the shortest prayers in the Bible. It does not say “I will never be afraid”, only where fear can go.
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.
Isaiah 41:10
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
When your mind will not rest
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6
“Careful” here means “full of care”, anxious. Paul does not stop at the command; he turns the worry into a request.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 26:3
When you carry too much
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
When you lie awake
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
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.
John 14:27
When the future feels uncertain
And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Keep one verse in sight
Reading a list helps for a moment. Keeping one verse in front of you helps all day. Write it on a card, learn it by heart, or put it where you look most: your phone. A verse widget on the Lock Screen means the words are there every time you reach for your iPhone, without opening anything.
If anxiety is weighing on you for weeks, or keeps you from living your life, please also talk to someone you trust and to a doctor. Prayer and care go together.