Anxiety in the Bible: How to Handle Your Anxiety Well

When you scroll through your newsfeed on social media, listen to the radio for the top stories, and pick up on what’s trending in the public discourse, does your heart feel settled? For many of us, the world feels unsafe and we feel uncertain of the future. If someone is in control, it certainly isn’t us, and that can be unsettling. One possible outcome is a feeling of anxiety that you carry with you.

Anxiety is a common human experience, and we all experience it for a variety of reasons. Some of us get anxious when we consider the big things happening in our world, but others get anxious because of a loved one’s health concerns, financial issues, handling social engagements, or making friends. The Bible addresses anxiety in various passages, offering guidance, comfort, and hope for us all.

Exploring What Scripture Says About Anxiety

The Bible says a lot about anxiety and expresses this from several perspectives and through different means such as stories, poems, and teachings in letters. For one thing, Scripture addresses our day-to-day experiences in the world, and that includes realities such as anxiety. Fear and anxiety are a normal part of life in our world, and the Bible acknowledges that anxiety is a natural response to challenging circumstances (Psalm 55:4-5, Proverbs 12:25).

While anxiety and fear are natural responses to the dangers and uncertainties that this world presents us, God urges us to respond with trust and faith in His goodness. Not only are we to trust in His goodness, but also in His sovereign wisdom and love even when we’re going through uncertain times (Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 23:4; 37:3-11; Romans 8:28). God is present, He cares and comforts us (Psalm 46:1; Isaiah 41:10; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11).

The Lord also promises us that we can experience peace even in situations when anxiety seems to be overwhelming us, and we are in less-than-perfect circumstances. The Lord’s peace transcends our circumstances and our understanding if we allow ourselves to trust Him (John 14:27; Philippians 4:7; Romans 15:13).

Believers are called to cast their anxieties onto God because He cares for them (1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 6:25-34), by bringing these concerns before the Lord in prayer and seeking His guidance and peace. Believers are to not only seek the Lord’s peace and rest (Matthew 11:28-30) but they are encouraged to practice gratitude and to give thanks even in trying circumstances (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:18).

While anxiety is an everyday reality, it isn’t something that the believer must face alone; the Lord is present and He cares, and His people can also comfort those going through a tough time. Trouble will come, but we can overcome it. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV). Anxiety doesn’t have the last word.

Anxiety in the Bible: Some Important Bible Verses for Anxiety

One of the ways to deal with anxiety is to make use of the Scripture verses that talk about anxiety in the Bible. These verses not only help you to see and understand how anxiety is a normal part of human life, but they also encourage us to deal with it in ways that promote well-being and not worsen the issue. Reflecting on these verses is a key way to begin bringing anxiety under control.

Some of the key Bible verses to remember in connection with anxiety include the following:

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus – Philippians 4:5-7, NIV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. – 1 Peter 5:6-9, NIV

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging – Psalm 46:1-3, NIV

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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light – Matthew 11:28-30, NIV

These verses communicate the Lord’s heart for His people. He desires to be present for us, for us to have rest and peace in Him, and not be swayed by our circumstances. The question is whether we will trust Him and commit ourselves and our circumstances to Him.

How Anxiety Can Affect the Journey of Faith

Anxiety can present significant challenges to a person’s journey of faith. When you feel anxious, it can be difficult to pray and focus on the Lord, which can be frustrating and discouraging. Engaging with Scripture can also be difficult when you’re anxious, resulting in feeling shame or guilt. Additionally, anxiety may lead you to avoid community, which only increases the sense of disconnection and isolation.

Not only that, but anxiety can also cause emotional and physical exhaustion. Anxiety affects your body, mind, and spirit, making it challenging to engage in the very activities that can help soothe anxiety. Spiritually, you can find anxiety distorting your perspective on yourself, God, or your circumstances. Not only may you wind up holding unhelpful and inaccurate beliefs, but these may, if they’re about God, lead to further uncertainty and fear.

Having said the above, feeling anxious doesn’t mean it’s over and there’s nothing you can do. Anxiety can prompt you to seek the Lord even more earnestly, and it can also prompt you to explore your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and motivations, leading to greater self-awareness. Going through a struggle like anxiety can also help you become more empathetic to others who have similar or other struggles.

Learning to Cope with Anxiety as a Believer

Anxiety is a physiological response we have to danger or threats of danger, whether real or perceived. Our bodies and minds react to these things, leading to symptoms of anxiety like a racing heart, sweaty palms, feeling restless or agitated, and thoughts that don’t quite seem to settle. We need every tool available to us to address anxiety and bring it under control.

There are several ways to apply Scripture and verses about anxiety in the Bible to our lives to handle anxiety more effectively. These include cultivating trust in the Lord by growing in our knowledge of His character. Pray and bring your anxieties before Him, seeking His peace and guidance. Take God at His word and leave your cares in His hands.

Take time to seek comfort in the Lord’s presence, knowing that He cares for you deeply and doesn’t want you to be fearful or anxious. Reflect carefully on Scripture, focusing on God’s many promises of peace and comfort. It’s also important to recognize that Scripture also contains many different kinds of prayer, including prayers of lament. Life gets hard, and we have many ways of praying and approaching God in our hardships.

You also don’t have to face anxiety and fear alone. Seek support in community with other believers. Share your anxieties with others and be willing to receive support from those whom God has comforted when they went through their own trials; we are meant to bear one another’s burdens (2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Galatians 6:2; Romans 12:15).

Studying passages on anxiety in the Bible can help you with challenging the distortions that your fear and anxiety can whisper to you. You can also address anxiety through practices like journaling and writing down your thoughts, feelings, and prayers to help you process and release anxiety. Getting rest, doing things you enjoy, and engaging in regular physical activity all help to reduce stress and feelings of anxiety.

In addition to these, consider seeking guidance from a Christian counselor in Keller, Texas. They can help you with understanding where your anxiety comes from, and also with identifying the unhealthy and unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that come with anxiety. These can be replaced with healthy ones. Anxiety may be so severe that it affects your ability to function. It’s important to seek professional help from Keller Christian Counseling in Texas to bring anxiety under control.

If you are ready to seek the help of a Christian therapist in Keller, contact our office today at Keller Christian Counseling in Texas to get started.