Introduction
How do we deal with anxiety and worry today? Anxiety is an all-too-common struggle in our modern world, affecting millions of people across all walks of life.
For Christians, anxiety can feel like a battle between faith and fear, but the Bible offers profound comfort and guidance.
God’s Word addresses anxiety directly, providing spiritual tools to help us navigate these challenging feelings. In this post, let us explore several Biblical ways to deal with anxiety, drawing on scripture and timeless Christian principles.
How does God view anxiety?
Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down.
God understands the impact of anxiety in our lives and I strongly believe that He desires for us to do well in all things. That means His will is not for us to be anxious about anything. It would appear that we can choose not to be anxious.
And what I love about God is that He does not just say dont be anxious but goes ahead to give us the tools to be able to do so. As a pastor Jon Courson used to say His commandments are His enablements. As we follow His word, he gives us the grace and strength to do as he leads. Haleluyah!
How to deal with anxiety and worry
What can’t the Lord do? Is there anything too hard for Him? Is He not able to lighten your load? give you peace? He is able to do much more than we could ask or imagine.
He even answers our deepest longings in the way that blows my mind away. So as we come to God let us believe that He is able.
The word of God offers several ways for us to deal with worry, anxiety and all the things that affect our peace of mind and mental health. Here I list some of them.
1. Prayer: Communicating with God
Prayer is how we communicate with God. Phillipians 4:6-7 says Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Other versions use ‘anxious’ for nothing in place of careful.
1 Peter 5:7 (ASV) says casting all your anxiety upon Him because he careth for you. Prayer is the means through which we cast our cares upon Him. Why? Because He cares for us. God is close to the broken hearted (Psalms 34:18-20). He is with you always and will never leave you.
What happens when we pray?
As we cast our cares on Him, and focus on his great power and goodness, our minds are kept in peace. Could it be that we are in agony and crushed in our spirits because we have not prayed? We have not invited Him who is able to do more than we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) Have we simply relied on our own understanding?
Prayer shows that we trust in Jesus and his power to keep in peace or answer our prayers. For if we did not trust Him then we would not pray. You can pray yourself into better health mentally.
Many times in my life, I have noticed that whenever I lean on my best plans and wisdom without consulting God, my success is severely impacted. and the result is anxiety and worry about what happens. Wouldn’t it be better if we waited on the Lord for direction in prayer before we move forward, that way success is guaranteed.
James 4:2-3 You have not because you ask not. Could it be you and I lack peace because we have not asked for it? Choosing life and abundance, means praying, asking from the Father of Lights who gives us everything that we need.
Prayer also allows you to shift your focus from the mountain you’re facing to the God of Heaven. The beautiful hymn puts it so beautifully, Turn your eyes upon Jesus… And the things of earth will grow strangely dim. With this new perspective, our worries will fade away!
Be aware that the enemy seeks to make you doubt the word of God and in doing so he disarms you in your battle. Because when you doubt you cannot pray then you become lukewarm in your faith and even give up your salvation.
2. Worship as a Weapon Against Anxiety
Worship shifts our focus from our problems to God’s greatness. Whether through singing, listening to worship music, or simply praising God in your own words, worship can break the cycle of anxious thoughts.
Paul and Silas worshiped in prison despite their dire circumstances, and God’s peace filled that place (Acts 16:25-26).
Worship Ideas to Deal With Anxiety and Worry:
- Create a Worship Playlist: Include songs that remind you of God’s power and peace. My must have songs are hymns, yes the old classic hymns for they are biblically sound and just beautiful. I also make sure to include songs based on scripture. It could be a song whose chorus is a verse verbatim that way as I sing, I am declaring the promises of God’s word. It is not the song that uplifts me, it is the Word of God.
- Sing or Hum: Engage with the music actively to help shift your focus. Like David, be undignified. Expressing myself in dance as I sing unto the Lord is one of the ways I calm down my anxious mind
- Praise God Aloud: Declare God’s goodness, even in the midst of anxiety.
Remember this verse: But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of His people Psalms 22:3 (ASV).
As you pray and spend time in His presence, God gives you His peace Where the Lord is there is life and peace.
3. Trusting in God’s Plan and Timing
Trusting in God’s plan can be challenging when faced with uncertainty, but Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Anxiety often arises when we focus on what we don’t know, but God knows the future, and He is not only in control but dependable to keep His word, for He is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19).
Building Trust in God’s Plan:
- Reflect on Past Faithfulness: Remember times when God has provided for you in the past. Go through your journal or diary and see the prayers that Jesus has answered and believe that He will answer the ones you are praying for now.
- Pray for Trust: Ask God to help you trust His plan, especially when it’s hard.
- Lean on Scripture: Use verses that reinforce God’s faithfulness, like Jeremiah 29:11.
7 Bible verses to deal with anxiety and worry
- Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
- Psalms 55:22
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
- Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
- Isaiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You
- James 5:3
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
- Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble
- Psalms 18:6
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God, He heard my voice out of His temple and my cry came before Him, even into His ears.
Conclusion
Anxiety doesn’t have to control your life. By leaning into God’s Word, seeking His presence in prayer, and trusting in His perfect plan, you can find peace even in the midst of anxiety.
As we have seen in the verses above the Bible offers not just comfort but also practical guidance on how to handle anxiety the Christian way.
Remember, you are not alone—God is with you every step of the way.
So dear friend, if you’re struggling with worry or anxiety, take time to pray, pour your heart out to God. Meditate on scripture, or reach out to a fellow believer for support.
Above all, I pray that God strengthens you and give you peace. Please share your favorite Bible verses or ways you’ve found comfort in God during anxious times in the comments below.
Let’s walk this journey of faith and peace together.
Other posts for you to read
1. How do I trust God when times are hard?
Shalom
