Worry is a common struggle that many people face in life. It can consume our thoughts, disrupt our peace, and damage our health. As believers, what does God say about worry? Should we be anxious about anything? Throughout Scripture, God makes it clear that He does not want us to worry or be afraid.
What is worry?
Worry is feeling uneasy or concerned about actual or potential problems. It usually involves anxiety, apprehension, fear, and overthinking situations. Worry often focuses on things that are uncertain or outside of our control.
Common worries include:
- Health problems
- Finances
- Relationships
- Job security
- World events
Worry can be helpful in small doses, motivating us to take action to address issues. But excessive, chronic worry is destructive and debilitating. It amplifies our fear and robs us of peace, joy, and trust in God.
What does the Bible say about worry?
The Bible contains many passages that instruct us not to worry and provide peace of mind to those who trust in God. Here is a sampling of key verses:
Matthew 6:25-34
“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? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
This famous passage reassures us that God will provide for our needs if we seek Him first. Worrying shows a lack of faith.
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.”
Rather than worrying, we should pray about everything and trust God to help us. This brings supernatural peace.
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
God cares deeply for us, so we can release our worries to Him.
Psalm 94:19
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
In times of high anxiety, God’s comfort can bring us great joy if we rely on Him.
Why does God tell us not to worry?
God gives us many instructions not to worry because He knows how much damage anxiety can cause in our lives. Specifically, worry:
- Reveals a lack of faith in God’s power, wisdom and goodness
- Distracts us from seeking God’s kingdom
- Harms our physical and mental health
- Disrupts our ability to hear God’s voice
- Steals our joy and peace
- Is useless and cannot add time to our lives
The Creator of the universe wants to set us free from all anxiety. He longs for us to trust Him completely and experience His perfect peace that surpasses understanding.
What does God promise those who don’t worry?
For those who bring their cares and worries to God in prayer, maintaining faith and gratitude, He promises many blessings, including:
- Provision of needs (food, clothing, shelter)
- Strength and peace of mind
- Freedom from fear
- Wisdom and clear direction
- Joy in trials
- God’s presence and comfort
- Eternal security and hope
Isaiah 26:3-4
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”
How can we stop worrying?
It’s challenging to simply “stop worrying” through sheer willpower. Thankfully, God gives us practical strategies to overcome anxiety by renewing our minds and fixing our thoughts on Him. Steps include:
- Pray – Talk honestly to God about the issues causing worry. Ask Him for wisdom, strength, and peace of mind.
- Give thanks – Focus on God’s blessings and express gratitude in all situations.
- Worship – Fix your eyes on God’s greatness, not your problems.
- Meditate on scripture – Fill your mind with Bible verses about God’s peace and sovereignty.
- Trust – Choose faith over fear. Rely on God’s goodness and ability to help you.
- Let go – Release outcomes to God instead of trying to control everything.
- Seek first God’s kingdom – Make pursuing God’s will above all your priority.
The more we implement these faith-building practices, the more God’s supernatural peace can guard our hearts and minds.
Bible verses to meditate on when worrying
In times of anxiety, reflecting on scriptures about God’s peace and power can help calm our thoughts. Here are some great verses to memorize and meditate on when worried or afraid:
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
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.”
Psalm 94:19
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
Matthew 6:34
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Prayers for overcoming worry
It’s helpful to regularly pray scripture-based prayers, affirming God’s presence and submitting our worries to Him. Examples include:
“Lord, I cast all my cares on you today. My anxious thoughts will not overwhelm me because your peace guards my mind. I choose to trust you completely.”
“Jesus, you know the burdens I carry today. I release them into your hands, along with all my fears. Thank you for your promise never to leave me.”
“Father God, forgive me when I try to control everything instead of trusting you. I surrender every concern to you now. Give me wisdom to take any action I should, then help me leave outcomes in your hands.”
“Lord, calm my thoughts when they race out of control. Remind me of your faithful care. Increase my gratitude and worship today. I fix my eyes on your unshakeable kingdom.”
Putting God’s words into practice
Merely reading Bible verses about worry will not necessarily stop our anxious thoughts. We need to actively apply God’s teachings by:
- Committing specific scriptures to memory for meditation when afraid
- Praying regularly about current worries and releasing them to God
- Making choices each day to trust God rather than giving in to fear
- Seeking God first through bible study, worship, serving others
- Expressing gratitude frequently even in trials
- Talking openly with Christian friends when needing support or wisdom
The more we lean on God’s strength and follow His wise instructions, the more He can free us from chronic anxiety. His peace truly does “transcend all understanding” and bring comfort in any storm.
Bible characters who struggled with worry
Several righteous people in the Bible battled seasons of intense fear or anxiety. We can learn from both their worries and God’s faithfulness to them:
Abraham
Abraham struggled with the uncertainty of God’s promise that he would father a nation, trying to fulfill it in his own timing and strength (Genesis 15:2-3). Yet eventually his faith grew, and God accomplished the impossible through him.
David
Many of David’s Psalms express overwhelming fear and ask God for protection. He worried about his life being pursued by Saul and other enemies. But repeatedly God delivered him, building his trust.
Elijah
After an epic triumph over the prophets of Baal, Elijah immediately turned fearful, fleeing Jezebel’s threats. Yet God comforted and strengthened him in his despair (1 Kings 19).
Martha
Martha’s anxiety over serving her guests perfectly caused her to become irritable with others. Jesus reminded her that her worry was unnecessary and she should instead have faith (Luke 10:41).
Paul
Paul experienced times of intense pressure that led him to despair even of life itself. But he wrote that relying on God’s faithfulness and strength always brought him through (2 Corinthians 1:8-10).
When we feel overwhelmed by anxiety, we can take comfort that even great heroes of faith faced worries. The key is bringing their honest prayers and struggles to their faithful God.
How worrying harms us
Chronic worrying not only hinders our faith–it also takes a significant toll on our health and well-being. Ongoing anxiety has been linked to:
| Physical effects | Mental/emotional impacts |
|---|---|
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God warns us away from worry because He designed our minds and bodies to thrive when we have peace and faith in Him. Choosing prayer over anxiety protects both our spiritual and physical health.
Quotes on worry from godly thinkers
Many pastors and authors have shared helpful insights about overcoming anxiety through trusting God. Here are a few inspirational quotes on worry:
Corrie ten Boom
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”
C.S. Lewis
“The only thing that matters is faith working through love.”
Max Lucado
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”
Charles Spurgeon
“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.”
Elisabeth Elliot
“Worry is the absolute worst use of my mind.”
Martin Luther
“Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength.”
These Kingdom thinkers remind us that God is sovereign. He wants us to rely on His strength for each moment rather than succumbing to anxiety.
Conclusion
Throughout the Bible, God repeatedly commands us not to worry. Anxious thoughts reveal a lack of faith in God’s wisdom, power and goodness. When we meditate on scripture, pray about everything, give thanks, and keep seeking God’s kingdom, we gain access to His supernatural peace. Worry and fear debilitate us, while trusting in the Lord renews our strength and hope. We all face seasons of anxiety, which makes it crucial to commit to applying God’s antidotes for worry in our lives.