Worry in the Bible: Examples and Scripture Verses about Anxiety

Worry is a common human emotion triggered by life circumstances. It can drain your energy, rob you of your peace, and keep you from enjoying your daily blessings. There are many Scripture verses about anxiety and worry in the Bible. For example, in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus gives two reasons why we need to get out of the habit of worrying.

The first reason is a practical one. Most of the things you worry about may never happen, and no amount of worrying can change the things that will. Jesus asks, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matt. 6:27, ESV). “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matt. 6:34, ESV).

The second reason is a theological one. When you worry you are disregarding the nature of God and are implying that He is unable to take care of your needs. Instead of putting your trust in Him, you are putting it in your own ability to figure things out and take charge and be in control.

Verses about Anxiety

Worry is not good for you. Worrying about tomorrow robs you of today, and can even make you physically sick.

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. – Proverbs 12:25, ESV

…casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7, ESV

Worrying does not accomplish anything. Worry is a waste of energy that distracts you from God, and that throughout your life can add up to hours and hours of wasted time you’ll never be able to recoup. Worry won’t help solve your problems or bring about a solution. Instead of allowing yourself to be overwhelmed by worries about the future, turn to the Lord for support in the present.

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. – Matthew 6:28-29, ESV

Worry stems from misplaced trust. When you worry, you are demonstrating a lack of trust in God’s sovereign and providential care. You forget what He is capable of and think you must take care of everything yourself. God wants you to bring your needs and concerns to Him in prayer rather than worry about them.

He is in control. You are not. No worry is too big or too small for God’s attention. He wants you to recognize and admit your weakness so He can be strong on your behalf (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; James 4:10). Consider the following verses about anxiety

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? – Matthew 6:30, ESV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7, ESV

Worrying turns your focus in the wrong direction. Keep your eyes focused on God, and put your trust in Him. He is your rock and your refuge. He knows your needs and will never leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8). Here are some more verses about anxiety.

The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. – Psalm 18:20, ESV

In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? – Psalm 56:4, ESV

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? – Matthew 6:25-26, ESV

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:31-33, ESV

People in the Bible who worried

Jehoshaphat

Jehoshaphat was a king of Judah who loved and obeyed God. When he got word that two neighboring countries, fortified with extra military help, planned a surprise attack on his land, he started to worry because he was not prepared. Judah’s army was small, and he knew they would not be able to overcome the enemy unless God helped them.

Instead of panicking, he called a prayer meeting, humbled himself in front of the people, and prayed hard, asking the Lord what to do. He reminisced about all that God had done in the past and the promises He had made to His people. He prayed “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.” (2 Chronicles 20:6, ESV).

While the people were gathered at the Temple praying, God sent them a word through a prophet telling them not to be afraid and assuring them that He would win this battle for them without them having to fight at all. When they heard this, they all fell down and worshipped the Lord. The next morning they marched out to the battlefield led by a choir singing praises. When they got there, they discovered that God had caused their enemies to turn against each other, and the battle was over.

King David

David, a giant slayer and one of Israel’s most illustrious kings, was given to anxious thoughts. He writes about his worries in the Book of Psalms and describes his symptoms, which include a faint heart, sleepless nights, tears, numbness, and fear. And yet even when he worried, he still sang praises to God (Psalm 18).

Martha

Martha was a friend of Jesus who lived in Bethany with her sister Mary and brother Lazarus. Luke 10 talks about the day Jesus and his disciples were passing by on their way to Jerusalem, and Martha opened her home to them. Martha was focused on being a good hostess and preparing the meal, while her sister Mary sat at Jesus’ feet to listen to Him.

Martha was frustrated that Mary wasn’t pitching in “…and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’” (Luke 10:40-42, ESV).

Christian counseling for worry and anxiety

Christian counseling involves a combination of biblical principles drawn from Bible verses on anxiety and clinical intervention. If you struggle with worry and/or anxiety and are having trouble handling the process on your own, please give us a call today. We would be happy to answer your questions and/or set up an appointment to discuss how we can help you manage the challenges you are facing and walk you through the healing process.