26 Bible Verses for Anxiety and Fear: Peace in Psalms

God’s Word contains comforting Bible verses when you’re scared or anxious.

According to the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), it’s estimated 31.1% of adults in the United States will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.

Regardless if we have a formal diagnosis or not, everyone has times of anxiety and struggles with fear.

All of us experience anxious times and encounter valid reasons to be afraid!

– Fear of bad news when we wait for test results from the doctor

– Financial strains and concerns

– Relationship issues

– Job-related stressors

The above list could go on; the reasons for our struggles are varied and individualized, and we can all testify to this struggle during hard times in stressful situations.

Failing to take our thoughts captive could result in a downward spiral and we can become captive to a stronghold.

I have good news for you today:

No child of God needs to succumb to a downward spiral and resign to defeat!

The Bible verses in this post will help you take your thoughts captive rather than allowing the enemy to take you captive!

If you find yourself in a stronghold to fear and/or anxiety this post on breaking free from spiritual strongholds includes key verses that focus on these specific struggles that you can pray over yourself and align your thoughts and beliefs accordingly.

Bible verses to replace anxious thoughts with God’s truth from the Book of Psalms

The Book of Psalms contains the full spectrum of human emotions, from the heights to the depths as the righteous cry out to the Lord in the thick of their emotions.

People often gravitate to the Psalms when they’re heavy-hearted, weary, and desperate – because we relate to them!

The verses below are a sampling of God’s promises to meet us with His unfailing love in tough times and difficult situations. when fear and anxiety rush in like a flood.

When we feel lost, broken, weary.

When we’re tempted to let our emotions drive us away from God and not to Him.

When we’re desperate to have our hearts tended to by the love of God as we allow His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us as we open His Word.

When we feel alone.

When the enemy tries to lure us into obsessive thinking to cause our fear and anxiety to escalate.

1. Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

This post on Psalm 23 has a free devotional to download.

Watch an in-depth study on Psalm 23 here.

2. Psalm 56:3

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

3. Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

4. Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the Earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, and the mountains quake with their surging.

5. Psalm 121:1-2

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord who made the heaven and the Earth.

6. Psalm 4:8

In peace I will lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

7. Psalm 16:8-9

I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

8. Psalm 34:4-5

I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

9. Psalm 121:5-8

The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

10. Psalm 55:22

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.

11. Psalm 94:19

When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolations delight my soul.

12. Psalm 91:14-16

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life,I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.

13. Psalm 55:22

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.

14. Psalm 115:11

You who fear Him, trust in the Lord – He is their help and shield.

15. Psalm 61:1-3

“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the Earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.”

Additional Bible verses that address anxiety and fear

The Old and New Testaments are full of comforting Bible verses and passages to help us when we’re struggling with fear and anxiety. Below is a sample of them:

16. 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.

Read this post for a deep dive into Joshua 1:9.

17. Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

18. Isaiah 26:3

You will keep them in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

19. Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

20. Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpassess all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

21. Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

22. Matthew 6:25-27, 34

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? Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

23. 2 Timothy 1:7

I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.

24. 1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you.

25. Hebrews 13:5

Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.

26. John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

We can pick up the Word of God as we grapple with fear and anxiety during difficult times assured that:

His Word can minister to your anxious heart and renew your mind – like nothing else can

We take our thoughts captive to Christ as we align our thoughts with His truth

The Holy Spirit will guide us in His Word as we lean into His guidance and He will reveal truth to us

Replace the fear of man with a healthy fear of the Lord

It’s a good thing we never need to succumb to anxiety or fear as being inevitable, part of our personality, or something we need to accept as a part of life. We can approach this topic with good courage knowing God’s plan for you and me never includes an area of spiritual captivity.

Never.

God promises victory in spiritual battle when we engage exactly as His Word instructs.

Grab your spiritual warfare toolkit now to help equip yourself to stand in the victory God’s Word assures You will have when you engage in battle exactly He tells us!

Lord God, you are our very present help in times of trouble; we know and believe you hear us as we call out to you. Help us recognize any lies we’ve believed and replace them with your truth. Our soul finds rest in you alone; overwhelm us with your peace, joy, and comfort. Help us rest in your steadfast love and may your grace abound as we turn to you to calm our thoughts and hearts. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.