God doesn’t just tell us not to worry; He tells us exactly why not! So, now you’re expecting me to list some Bible verses about worry, am I right? But what if I told you that the best verses about worry aren’t about worry at all? What if I told you that the best remedy for fear involves zeroing in on what will protect you from the thing you’re afraid of? That’s what I discovered when I was feeling the need for protection and looked for help in the Bible in the midst of worry.
I was trying to teach my kids to go to the Word of God when they were afraid, but I needed to just as much. We all need something trustworthy in which to place our confidence—something bigger than ourselves to exchange our fears for. So here are 31 Bible verses about worry that give us reasons not to fear. Did you notice that 31 makes one for each day of even the longest month? Fear and worry are not so polite as to wait until the first day of the month to come upon us, so just jump into the list at number one, and then keep going as needed!
Why do we not need to fear, fret, worry, stress out, or be anxious? Here’s precisely why.
31 Bible Verses About Worry
1. Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes.”- Deuteronomy 1:29–30 NIV
God will fight for you, Deuteronomy 1:29–30. How cool is that?
2. Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you. -Deuteronomy 3:22 NIV
God Himself will fight for you, Deuteronomy 3:22. Wait, He’s not just sending an angel or something? God Himself? Okay, we should be all right, then.
3. When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” - Deuteronomy 20:1–4 NIV
God will be with you, Deuteronomy 20:1–4. Right there. With you. In the middle of the battle against fear and whatever it is you’re afraid of or worried about. You’re not alone. Ever.
4. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. -Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
God goes with you; He won’t leave you, Deuteronomy 31:6. If you’re going somewhere, He’ll be there. He’s not leaving your side. The Holy Spirit is always with us.
5. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. -Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
God goes before you; He won’t forsake you, Deuteronomy 31:8. Actually, before you even get where you’re going, He’ll be there ahead of you. He’s preparing the way for you as you trust Him.
6. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” -2 Kings 6:16 NIV
God’s side is stronger than the other side, 2 Kings 6:16. So if you’re on His side, you’re in good shape. If you’re not on His side yet, you can get on His side right this moment, for the simple asking, in humble surrender. Just tell Him you want to be, and ask Him what’s next.
7. I called out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. -Psalm 3:4–6 NIV
God will sustain you, Psalm 3:4–6. Even when the fight seems to have impossibly unfair odds. Even while you’re sleeping and not able to do anything about it.
8. 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. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. -Psalm 34:4-8 NIV
God is a refuge who answers, Psalm 34:4–8. Not only is it a blessing to take refuge in God, but He answers us when we call to Him. Taste and see how good that is!
9. But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. -Psalm 55:16-18 NIV
God will rescue and ransom you, Psalm 55:16–18. That’s how much He loves you. He didn’t even stop short of sending His Son as a ransom for you. Surely He’s worth trusting with everything here on Earth, since He has secured eternity for you.
10. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? -Psalm 56:3–4 NIV
God is greater than people, Psalm 56:3-4. So we don’t need to fear people, when we’re trusting in God.
11. When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. -Psalm 118:5-8 NIV
God is your helper who sets you free, Psalm 118:5-8. You can’t find a better helper than God. If God is for us, setting us free from anxiety, worry and fear, there’s no one and nothing we need to be afraid of.
12. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. -Isaiah 12:2 NIV
God is your song, Isaiah 12:2. Wouldn’t you rather be singing than fretting? Isn’t it a beautiful thing when a trusting song comes out of your mouth instead of a worried complaint
13. 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. -Isaiah 41:10 NIV
God will hold you up, Isaiah 41:10. Do you know how strong God’s hands are? If He’s holding you up, you’re set.
14. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. -Isaiah 41:13 NIV
God will hold your hand, Isaiah 41:13. Place your hand in His big, capable hand and keep it there.
14. But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” -Isaiah 43:1 NIV
God is your redeemer, Isaiah 43:1. God has bought us for Himself, with the blood of Jesus Christ. We’re His, if we accept that offer. We don’t need to fear the enemy of our souls, because we don’t belong to him anymore. We’re redeemed!
16. You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.” You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life. -Lamentations 3:57-58 NIV
God will take up your case, Lamentations 3:57–58. Could there be any more impressive advocate than the Creator of the universe? He’s eager to take up your case as soon as you ask!
17. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” -Zephaniah 3:16-17 NIV
God is mighty and delights in you, Zephaniah 3:16-17. What an amazing combination, a powerful warrior who takes great interest and delight in you. Sounds like the makings for a great movie, doesn’t it? Only it’s real life! He really does rejoice over you. Try focusing on that for a few minutes! It sure changes my outlook on life.
18. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” -Matthew 8:25-27 NIV
God has authority over everything, Matthew 8:25-27. What would it matter if God cared a lot about us, but couldn’t do anything about it? Thankfully, He actually can do anything! He can calmly tell a storm to stop, and it just will. So I want to trust His timing on the storms in my life.
19. Immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” -Matthew 14:27 NIV
Jesus is. (Period.) Matthew 14:27. Just the fact that Jesus is real, that He is with us, is enough to silence fears. If we get to know His voice, it becomes a comfort just to listen to Him speak.
20. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:40–41 NIV
Think of who Jesus is, Mark 4:40–41. What a good question the disciples asked, wondering who Jesus was. Who is this? Think about what you know about Jesus. Is He adequate for your problems? Is He up for the challenge you are facing? Is it too big for Him? This is the Creator and Lord of all, and the One who willingly went to the cross for you, then defeated death on your behalf. He can handle anything.
21. “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5:36 NIV
Take Jesus at His word, Mark 5:36. Why not be afraid and worried? Because Jesus said we don’t need to be. Do we believe Him?
22. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” -Luke 2:10 NIV
God has joy in store for you, Luke 2:9-11. God has good news of great joy. For all the people. Yes, that means you. Would you rather focus on fear or joy?
23. 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. -John 14:27 NIV
God is offering you deep peace, John 14:27. Jesus tells us to take charge of our hearts and not let them be troubled, but rather to set our minds on His peace that He offers us as a gift.
24. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” -Romans 8:15 NIV
Just go to your Heavenly Father, Romans 8:15. When little kids are afraid, they run to a trusted parent for security. That’s what God is inviting us to do through these words of the Apostle Paul, to run to Him with everything we’re tempted to worry about or be afraid of, tell Him all about it, and trust Him to take care of us.
25. He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. -2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV
The battle is God’s, not yours, 2 Chronicles 20:15. So why are you sweating it? He’s got this. Ask Him to take it over. Give Him permission to be in charge of your problem that’s causing you worry or fear. Why not your whole life, while you’re at it?
26. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’ ” -2 Chronicles 20:17 NIV
God will deliver you, 2 Chronicles 20:17. He asked His people just to take up their positions, stand firm, and see what He would do for them!
27. 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. -Psalm 23:4 NIV
God will comfort and protect you, Psalm 23:4. Like a shepherd caring for his sheep, God’s there to care and look out for us.
28. 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. -Psalm 46:1-3 NIV
God is your strength, Psalm 46:1-3. Even though really bad and scary things may happen, God will strengthen you to be able to face them with Him. And unlike ours, His strength doesn’t run out!
29. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 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.” -Isaiah 35:3-4 NIV
God will come to save you, Isaiah 35:3-4. This is real encouragement. We’re talking about the God who made the whole universe, including you. He’s coming to save you. You can put your life in His hands.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. -1 Peter 5:7 NIV
God cares about what’s weighing on you, 1 Peter 5:7. You don’t have to carry it just because it’s yours. If it’s heavy, it’s something you can hand over. He’s not annoyed by it. He cares about it because He cares about you.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - Philippians 4:6 NIV
Bring it to God in prayer, Philippians 4:6. Instead of spiraling, try talking. Say the thing you keep replaying. Ask for help. Thank Him for what’s still good. Prayer doesn’t make everything instantly easy, but it pulls you out of isolation and into connection.
When we realize our God is able to protect us—even miraculously—we can leave fear and worry behind.
So, what did you think about the facts in these Bible verses for anxiety and worry? Do you see how the simple truths in these Scriptures can help us fight worry, fear, and anxious thoughts and choose instead to trust in God’s protection? Feeding our spirits with Scripture shifts our focus off the darkness of fear and onto resting in God’s all-powerful care and promised help. When we realize our God is able to protect us—even miraculously—we can leave fear and worry behind. But we need to practice this process afresh every day.
How to Use These Verses
There’s enough Scripture here to get you through every day of the month, no matter when you start it. One idea is to copy and paste each verse into a reminder app in your phone. How about setting these reminders to show up during a time when you typically experience worry, fear, or anxiety? I’ve worried in the past about big things that happened to me, like moving across an ocean, my daughter facing cancer at age 15, and my mother being widowed too young. I’ve been beset with fears about little things—even about writing this post! Ironic, I know. But what saves me each time is remembering that God is my strength (see #13 above) and He will hold me up (#19). I purposefully place my trust in Him as each challenge comes along. And what does God do with my willingness to trust Him? He often turns the whole occasion into a joyfest (#29) like the wonder of getting to organize and share these beautiful Scriptures with you. God is my song! (#17.)
You Can Experience the Peace of God
So, here’s to using Bible verses for anxiety and worry to make our daily fears submit to the truth of our loving Father who is for us in every way and is more than enough to protect us and provide for us in every situation. Let’s be intentional about rehearsing in our minds what is true about our God, our mighty warrior, our refuge, our light, and our protector. This is how to leave worry and fear in the dust.