Do you worry? I’ll admit that I have been a worrier at certain times of my life. There are so many circumstances that we can worry about that it’s easy to worry all day long. Thankfully there are many Bible verses about worry and anxiety that can give us a different perspective on the issue.
Perspective is really what is needed when it comes to worry. That is because a lot of our worry is illogical and over-dramatized. We worry about things we cannot control, that do not really relate to us and that will probably never happen.
Worse yet, worries are the gateway to fears. And fears, when they are released to their full force, will impact our actions. Actions fueled by worry and fear are often detrimental.
That is why it’s so important to get our worry in check. And the Bible offers great perspective on this topic. So here is one whole passage and 7 other Bible verses about worry that give me the reality check I need.
The best part is that we can apply them to any life situation we are going through.
My Go-To Bible Verses about Worry
My go-to passage is actually a series of Bible verses about worry. In the midst of perhaps his greatest sermon, Jesus challenges worriers with these words…
Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore, I say to you, do not worry 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, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
So why do you worry about clothing?…if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore, do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’…For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
The last line of this passage should sum up our mindset. Focus on today’s events and leave tomorrow for tomorrow. Jesus isn’t saying “Don’t plan.” He’s simply challenging us to monitor our emotions as they relate to our future plans. Agonizing over things we cannot control or events that may never happen will be counterproductive to living a joyful and fulfilling life in the moment.
There is incredible value in being mentally and emotionally present in the moment. When our minds are so focused on tomorrow we often miss opportunities in the present. The chance to make a connection, solve a problem or help someone in need pass us by because we are worrying about events down the road.
Related Content: 13 Encouraging Bible Verses for Men
Other Specific Bible Verses About Worry
Proverbs 12:25
“Anxiety weighs down the heart…”
Of all the Bible verses about worry, this one sums up the impact of it the best. Worry simply weighs down your heart. It’s a burden to carry.
If you’ve ever gone hiking and had to carry a heavy backpack, you know how burdensome it feels. You also know the feeling of relief when you reach the campsite and are able to set it down for the night. That’s what we should do with worry. Let it go and relief will come to your heart.
Matthew 10:19-20
“But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time, you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
Jesus spoke here to his disciples about times when they would be challenged and put on trial for their beliefs. But the passage speaks to something we all worry about – saying the wrong thing.
Jesus promised his followers that the Spirit would give them the right things to say at the right time. That’s very encouraging news. When we quiet our hearts and listen to the Spirit, the right words will come. It shouldn’t be something we worry about.
Luke 12:25
“Which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
This is one of the simplest and straightforward Bible verses about worry you can find. It simply states that worry can add nothing to your life, not even one hour. In reality, the opposite is probably true. Worry detracts from life. It leads to anxiety, which when full blown, can actually be a health issue.
John 14:27
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
There is no doubt about it. When we worry our hearts become troubled. This can lead to sleepless nights, distracted days and even worse – fears. Fear is a major outcome of worry.
John shares with us these words from Jesus who challenges us to not head in this direction. But how can we fight against this? Fortunately, there are other Bible verses about worry that tell us what to do with it and where to take it.
Related Content: 12 Short Bible Verses that Pack a Powerful Message
Where to Take Your Worry
So, what do you do if you have trouble letting go of your worry? These Bible verses about worry tell us what to do with it and where to take it.
Psalms 55:22
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Some of my worries have felt overwhelming. At times, I felt defeated, unable to endure or stand against them. That’s when I should have reminded myself of this verse.
The writer of Psalms tells us that when we cast our cares (worries) on the Lord, He will sustain us. He will lift us up and give us the strength to endure through the worry. It’s not something we can do ourselves. We need his support so that worry does not overcome us.
Philippians 4:6-7
“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.”
This is a great passage that shows us what comes when we decide to let go of our worry. Just like the last verse, it’s a call to cast our anxieties onto God. When we do, He provides us with an inner peace about the situation. It’s a freeing step that calms our emotions about the situation.
Related Content: Here Are the Top 9 Bible Verses for Teens to Know
I Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
It’s a final call from the Apostle Peter to cast worry on the Lord. The Bible is clear. We should not try to tackle it on our own. There is really only one who can deal with it properly. The best news is that the Lord wants to take if from you. He cares for you and doesn’t want to see our life affected by it. Learn to release it to Him and experience a worry-free life.
Questions for Discussion: What other Bible verses about worry mean a lot to you? How to you handle your worry? Does it ever seem to take over your life?
Thank you so much for that.
It truly helped me through this day.
God bless
Regards
Margaret.Temba
Thank yu for the awesome verses
You are welcome. At times in my life, worry has really affected me. Giving it over to God and allowing his peace to come over your life is the cure. Thanks for reading!