Scriptures about Worry to Help You Find Peace in God

What is worry? Our English word “worry” comes from an old word that means “to strangle,” and worry certainly does strangle people physically mentally, and spiritually. There are many Scriptures about worry.

In the Bible, the term translated “be careful” or “be anxious” comes from a root meaning “to be torn apart.” Worry comes when the thoughts in our minds and feelings in our hearts pull in different directions and tear us apart.

The mind thinks about problems and this feeds additional feelings into the heart and there is a vicious cycle set up that tears the person apart. With the mind we know we should not fret; but with the heart, we cannot help ourselves.

But what if these problems are more than the late bills? More than a missed appointment. More than a flat tire. What if it’s more? More on top of more!! What if it’s a sickbed? The death of a loved one? An affair? There are many Scriptures about worry. Consider how God comforts His people with the book of Joshua and his story.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

God had buried His workman, but His work had to go on. Israel had just finished mourning for Moses and now God speaks to Joshua concerning his responsibilities as the new leader of the nation. What a tall order, right? Can you imagine following in Moses’ steps to fill his shoes? All this time Joshua no doubt missed and mourned his friend. His confidant. His mentor.

What a commission! God had singled out Joshua to be Moses’ successor as far back as Exodus 17. Moses was told to remind Joshua, and to write it in his book, that the battle was already won! God instructed Moses to ordain Joshua. Moses gave a final blessing and encouragement to his friend in Deuteronomy. It must have encouraged Joshua greatly to know that God called him, for he had a tremendous task ahead of him amid his sorrow.

But notice that God encouraged Joshua. As God was with Moses, so he would be with Joshua. He said, “I will not leave you or forsake you.” in verse five. We can apply this to ourselves. Men change, times change, but God never changes. He is always with his people. Notice that courage is demanded in the Christian life but this courage is supplied by God in his word.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Moses authored the book of law and this book was now given to Joshua. He was to read the book, meditate on it day and night, and obey its commands. If Joshua was able to conquer Canaan having only the first five books of the Bible, how much more should we be encouraged now that we have a complete Bible? As for Joshua, meditation on the word is the secret of success for God’s people in an ever-changing, ever-demanding world.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. – Psalm 1:1-3

The Psalms are full of Scriptures about worry. The man that God blesses and encourages is the man who delights in the Word of God. Love for and obedience to the Bible brings blessings to our lives. The man whom God blesses is the one who reads the Word daily. He studies it, memorizes it, and meditates on it during the day and night. His mind is controlled by the Word of God.

Because of this, he is led by the Spirit and walks in the Spirit. Meditation is to the soul what digestion is to the body. It means understanding the word, applying it in our lives, and making it a part of the inner man. When conflict or trial or anxiety arises, the inner will too!

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” – Hebrews 13:6

In Hebrews, their enemies were saying, if you stay true to Christ, you will lose everything – your friends, your material goods. But the writer of Hebrews points out that a believer loses nothing! The Christian puts his faith and trust in Christ, fixing his eyes and heart on true spiritual worship of God, and remembering that the Lord is our helper.

We may lose everything in this world, but spiritual blessings cannot be lost. We may lose a loved one, but the promises of God are sure. We may struggle mentally, but God can’t change so neither do His promises. No matter our lot in life, rest assured from these Scriptures about worry that He is ever our helper, unchanged, and unchanging.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:6

The God of Israel challenged His people to be strong and very courageous, but He also commanded them not to fear their enemy, for He would be with them. No matter how terrifying our circumstances or how powerful our fight may feel, we can trust in the Lord with all our hearts.

Moses reassured them that the Lord would be with them always, to lead, comfort, support, and help them, no matter where they went or what they did. He is the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

We too can rest in Him as we read these Scriptures about worry. Even when the old generation had died off and Moses was moving off the scene in these transitional chapters of the Bible, he gave his final word to the people he had led for forty years, commanding, warning, and encouraging them with these words. Be strong, courageous, and do not fear.

“Come, my fellow believers, and let us day by day set ourselves at His feet and meditate on this word of His, with an I fixed on Him alone. Let us sit ourselves in quiet trust before Him, waiting to hear His holy voice- the still small voice that is mightier than the storm that rends the rocks- breathing its quickening spirit within us, as He speaks, “Abide in me.” The soul that truly hears Jesus Himself speak the word, receives with the word the power to accept and to hold the blessing He offers.” – Andrew Murray

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 1:3

After seeking God and meditating on these Scriptures about worry, please consider consulting a therapist. By merging a deep knowledge of counseling with Biblical guidance and faith-based support, our Christian counselors help individuals, premarital couples, marriages, and families find real, lasting solutions. If you or a loved one needs help, we welcome you to connect with us today through our Christian counselor directory or online contact form.