When worry and fear are ruling your day, pray over these scripture verses that combat anxiety and let God’s peace settle your heart.
Anxiety is a sneaky enemy that’s hard to fight. It gets its power from fears and worries about things that haven’t yet happened (and may never happen). Or it’s rooted in circumstances and people’s reactions that we cannot control.
As a mom, we can experience anxiety in heftier doses because we are not just worried about ourselves, but our children. I can twist myself into knots when they are sick.
I’ve tried a lot of different things to overcome my anxiety. I’ve tried ignoring it, going to sleep early and hoping tomorrow will be better.
At one time, I tried medication, but disliked my dependence on it to feel better. I’ve tried exercise and meditation, which works, but sometimes too slowly for the relief I crave.
What worked for my anxiety…
And then one day, my children got sick. And my anxiety began to rise. So, I squeezed my hands together and begged God to help me, to strengthen me, to enable me to do what needed to be done. I needed him to lift the anxiety off my heart, so I could be there for my children who needed their mommy, not her issues.
And… it worked. I felt a lightening, as though God was lifting that heavy weight off me. I took care of my children. And every time I felt the anxiety trying to wrap its tentacles around me, I prayed again. And again. I used scripture to combat my anxiety, repeating it in my head like a mantra.
I believe that God does things for a reason, I also believe that what works for one person may not work for another.
But in the case of prayer, I believe that we can all benefit. Anxiety, worry, and fear come from a lack of control and knowing. Why not bring our concerns to the one who already knows and has all the power?
I hope these scripture verses will help combat your anxiety, calm your mind and heart, and allow God His rightful place in charge of your present and future.
Scripture Verses that Combat Anxiety
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Focus on your love of God and He will give you peace from the fear and worries that consume you.
2 Timothy 1:7
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power,love and self-discipline.
The Holy Spirit lives within us. Be strong and confident, knowing that where we may fall short, God carries us the rest of the way.
Isaiah 35:4
Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
We don’t have to save ourselves. It’s not all up to us. God will not let us languish in fear, but will instead come down with mighty power and restore us.
Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Hope is hard when anxiety is riding us. But our hope is a sign of our faith, and our faith is how we let God into our lives and pain and fear, to lift us up.
John 14:1
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
Belief in God, Jesus, and the Spirit within us means giving our fears over to their power and strength when our own feel tapped out.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Wherever. You. Go. No matter how big or small your anxieties are, God will meet you there.
Matthew 6:25-27
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Worry leads us nowhere. But faith in God will provide all we need. Place your trust in Him and remember that He will take care of you.
Psalm 34:4
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
When fear feels insurmountable and you can’t push past the anxiety holding your heart, remember that God is right there with you. You need only ask and He will lift you up from the depths of your hurt.
Psalm 94:19
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
God’s peace will soothe your fearful spirit. Even though it feels impossible in the midst of anxiety, He will calm your racing heart and mind, offering you sanctuary from your fears.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Anxiety and worry are rooted in our need to know and control what is beyond our knowledge and power. Lean on God, who has all knowledge and all power, and He will guide you in the right direction.
Anxiety can steal so much of our joy and our lives. I hope that by praying these verses, it will take your mind away from your fears and worries, and put it directly on God and His loving power. Trade your problems for His peace.
What verses do you use to combat anxiety and restore your peace? I’d love to hear in the comments below!
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I affirm these tools to combat fear. I have found great benefit from praying Scriptures. Thank you for your honesty. It allows the rest of us to learn from your experience. I would add Psalm 16:8 about setting God before us so that we will not be shaken.
Thank you, Gretchen. And what a perfect verse to add!