Mental Health: Bible Verses on Anxiety and Fear

Anxiety and fear are closely related. Both describe a feeling of dread or worry that something bad is going to happen. Anxiety can be short-term, based on an upcoming event or stressful situation, or long-term, based on trauma or mental illness. Sometimes the cause of the anxiety is unclear--the feeling simply comes and won't leave. It can lead to physical symptoms like sweating, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, upset stomach, and panic attacks.

I know these symptoms well because I have struggled with anxiety my whole life. I've been told this was a personal failing that meant I did not trust God enough. Now I know it is the most common mental health problem in America, with a variety of physical and environmental factors. It is not a sin, and God does not want to punish me for it. He wants to help me through it. That change of perspective has made all the difference. I cannot change the fact that I face this struggle, but I can change how I face it. I can maintain a balanced routine, practice self-care, go to therapy, take medication, build healthy relationships, focus on positive truths, and yes, trust in God. When I feel anxious or afraid, these familiar Scriptures help to calm me. I hope they help you too.

Matthew 10:29-31 KJV "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

Matthew 11:28-30 "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."

Luke 10:38-42 "As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.”

Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

John 14:1-6, 27 "'Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also. You know where I go, and you know the way.' Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me...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.'"

John 17:20 "Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word."

Psalm 3:6 "I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who have set themselves against me on every side."

Psalm 11:1 "In Yahweh, I take refuge. How can you say to my soul, 'Flee as a bird to your mountain'?"

Psalm 16:8-11 "I have set Yahweh always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also dwell in safety. For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption. You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more."

Psalm 27:1 KJV "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 34:4 "I sought Yahweh, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears."

Psalm 46:1-2 "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;"

Psalm 56:9-11 "Then my enemies shall turn back in the day that I call. I know this: that God is for me. In God, I will praise his word. In Yahweh, I will praise his word. I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Psalm 61:1-4 "Hear my cry, God. Listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth, I will call to you when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will dwell in your tent forever. I will take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah."

Psalm 112:7 "He will not be afraid of evil news. His heart is steadfast, trusting in Yahweh."

Psalm 119:50,52 "This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me...I remember your ordinances of old, Yahweh, and have comforted myself."

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 12:25 "Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad."

Proverbs 31:21, 25 "She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet...Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come."

Isaiah 35:3-4 KJV "Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you."

Isaiah 40:27-31 "Why do you say, Jacob, and speak, Israel, 'My way is hidden from Yahweh,

and the justice due me is disregarded by my God?' Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might. Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall; but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint."

Isaiah 41:10, 13 "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...For I, Yahweh your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Don’t be afraid.

I will help you.'"

Isaiah 43:1-3a "But now Yahweh who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel, says:

'Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you. For I am Yahweh your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.'"

Isaiah 51:12-15 "I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you, that you are afraid of man who shall die, and of the son of man who will be made as grass? Have you forgotten Yahweh your Maker, who stretched out the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth? Do you live in fear continually all day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he prepares to destroy? Where is the fury of the oppressor? The captive exile will speedily be freed. He will not die and go down into the pit. His bread won’t fail. For I am Yahweh your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar. Yahweh of Armies is his name."

Romans 12:2 "Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God."

Galatians 6:2 "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Philippians 4:6-8, 19 "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. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things...My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control."

Hebrews 4:9-10 "There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his."

Hebrews 7:25 "Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them."

Hebrews 10:14 "For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified."

Hebrews 13:6 "So that with good courage we say, "The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?'"

James 1:17 KJV "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

1 Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you."

2 Peter 1:2-4a "Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue, by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises..."

1 John 4:2-4 "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit who doesn’t confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world."

The whole chapters of Matthew 6, 1 Kings 19, Psalm 23, Psalm 37, Psalm 91, Psalm 107, Psalm 139, John 14-17, and Romans 8 are also helpful.

*Unless otherwise noted, I use the World English Bible, because it is a free, public domain translation. Verses marked KJV are taken from the King James Version. Feel free to look up all the verses in your preferred translation! These lists are in no way comprehensive, and I am in no way an expert. These are simply passages I have found helpful in personal study. *

Nicole Jackson-Ozment