Bible verses about anxiety
The verses people turn to most for anxiety are Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 6:34, Isaiah 41:10 and John 14:27. They say the same thing in different ways: bring your worry to God, he cares for you, and his peace can hold you even before anything changes. All twelve are below in full.
Last updated November 7, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.Philippians 4:6-7
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.
In the World English Bible
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition 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 thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Paul wrote this from prison. Bring everything to God with thanks, and his peace stands guard over your heart and mind.
2.1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
In the World English Bible
casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
Short enough to remember at 3 a.m. You can hand the weight over because God cares about you.
3.Matthew 6:34
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.
In the World English Bible
Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.
Jesus closes his teaching on worry by shrinking the job down to today.
4.Isaiah 41:10
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.
In the World English Bible
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
Spoken to people who were scattered and scared. God promises his presence and his help, not an easy road.
5.John 14:27
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.
In the World English Bible
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
Jesus said this the night before the cross, to friends who were about to be afraid.
6.Psalm 94:19
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
In the World English Bible
In the multitude of my thoughts within me, your comforts delight my soul.
An honest line about racing thoughts, and the comfort that met them.
7.Psalm 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
In the World English Bible
Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
Written by someone who had been betrayed by a friend. Hand the burden to the Lord, and he will hold you up.
8.Matthew 11:28-30
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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
In the World English Bible
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily 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.”
An open invitation to anyone who is tired and loaded down.
9.Psalm 56:3
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
In the World English Bible
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
Not a promise that fear won't come. A decision about what to do when it does.
10.Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
In the World English Bible
You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.
Peace for the mind that keeps returning to God, again and again.
11.Proverbs 12:25
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
In the World English Bible
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.
Worry weighs a person down, and a kind word lifts them. Worth sending to a friend.
12.Psalm 46:1-2
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;
In the World English Bible
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;
A help that is present in trouble, even when the ground itself seems to move.
7-day plan
When you're anxious
Seven short readings for anxious days. Each one gives you a few verses, a quiet thought, and a prayer you can borrow when your own words run out.
See the planQuestions
What is the best Bible verse for anxiety?
Philippians 4:6-7 is the one most people start with. It tells you what to do with worry (pray about everything, with thanks) and what God does in return (his peace guards your heart and mind). If you want something shorter to hold onto, 1 Peter 5:7 fits in one breath.
Is it a sin to feel anxious?
Scripture doesn't treat anxious feelings as something to be ashamed of. The Psalms are full of people bringing fear and distress to God, and Jesus himself was deeply troubled the night before the cross (Mark 14:33-34). The verses on this page are invitations to bring worry to God, not rebukes for having it.
Does the Bible say not to see a doctor for anxiety?
No. Nothing in these verses says to avoid doctors, counselors or medication. Luke, who wrote a Gospel, was a physician (Colossians 4:14). Many Christians pray and get care at the same time. If you're in crisis in the US, call or text 988.
Which Bible translation is used here?
Each verse is printed in the King James Version and the World English Bible. Both are in the public domain, so the text appears word for word.
Is there a reading plan for anxiety?
Yes. When you're anxious is a seven-day plan with a passage, a short reflection, a question and a prayer each day. It's part of a paid plan.
Keep reading
Made by Lamplight, a small Sarvixo product. Notes on each verse are ours; the verses are printed exactly as published.