If you’re reading this post then you may have struggled with anxiety, or you might have a loved one who struggles with it. And I get it, I’ve been there. Anxiety can feel like a snare that we feel trapped. I’ve even felt like I was a “bad” Christian for my struggles with anxiety. Anxiety can take many forms and we see it mentioned in the Bible.
But anxiety in the Bible, and in our modern lives, is not the end of the story. Throughout the Bible and from our own life experiences, we come to see that God actually takes our anxieties and turns it into peace.
What does God say about anxiety? Anxiety has a variety of definitions, but typically it is identified with fear, worry, nervousness, or unease about the future or your present. Anxiety is not abnormal for most people. However, God says that we do not have to suffer from anxiety. Christians are not always susceptible to anxiety, but we do have a better way of fighting it. We can look to God’s words in Scripture, which say that we do not have to carry anxiety. Instead, we can have His peace and presence with us. God says that, truthfully, we can cast all of our cares, worries, and fears on Him. In return, God gives us the opposite of anxiety. He gives us joy, peace, and safety.
God did not create man to struggle with anxiety. He has given us hope for our future and eternal love, not fear. We can feel safe and comforted when we continually turn to Him. In this post, we will explore how God overcomes our anxiety. We will also come to understand that God did not create us to be anxious, revealing that our anxiety can be healed.
Meditate on Scripture
It is encouraged to meditate on Scripture as our tool and weapon to overcome anxiety. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” So, we know that we can use Scripture to help us correct our anxiety and to train our minds for peace.
To meditate on these verses:
- Read them over to yourself
- Memorize and speak them
- Write them down repeatedly
- Listen to them on Bible audio
- Recite them to yourself throughout your day
Verses That Reveal How God Overcomes Our Anxiety
God is all-powerful, so He can help us overcome anxiety. From these Scriptures, we see steps and instructions to give God our anxiety, and we also find that He is the giver of our peace.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
As Christ-followers, we are specifically encouraged by the apostles to cast our anxiety on God. The things we are anxious and worrying about, are things He actually cares about too. Jesus constantly talks about the Father’s care for us. In this verse, the word “cast” means to literally place upon or to throw upon. Therefore, we are to throw all of our worries and anxieties on God. He is more than capable to handle it.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Instead of anxiety, Jesus gave us peace. But oftentimes, at the root of anxiety lies fear. However, Jesus says that we do not need to be troubled because Jesus gives us peace that cannot be taken away. He gives us a heavenly peace, even in our most fearful times.
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
We could make the argument that anxiety starts in our hearts. Anxiety comes from a preexisting belief, that is typically not true. So it makes sense why Paul tells us to let the peace of Christ to rule our hearts. When we meditate on Christ to be the center of our hearts, anxiety will have less room to consume us.
Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved
Again, we see that we must cast our burden on the Lord. But something is even more crucial is involved in this verse, and meditating on it will help us to overcome anxiety; “He will sustain you.” Meditating on the truth that Christ will sustain us means that we are safe and secure, and that we have absolutely nothing to be anxious about with Him on our side.
Psalm 112:7
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
When we put our trust in God, we will not have fear of what is to come. As you meditate, meditate on the faithfulness of God. Meditate on how He has always sustained you and how He has always seen you through. This meditation will help you to trust in God, which then, in turn, will help you to not be anxious for anything.
We Were Not Created to Be Anxious
Matthew 6:33,34
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Jesus, here, is stating that there does not need to be anxiety in our lives. Every day has enough anxiety to come, but it is not ours to have. What we do have, when we seek the Kingdom of God and not our own future, is all things added unto us that we need. Therefore, we do not need to worry.
Philippians 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
We also see here that we should not be anxious. But that can be easier said than done. Paul gives us the antidote though. We are not anxious when we pray. Prayer is powerful.
We pray with grateful hearts for what we do have and we state our requests. We do this in faith that God will supply our needs. Then God will replace our anxiety with peace, even when we don’t know how, our hearts will still be guarded by the Holy Spirit. Meditate on this verse.
Luke 12:25,28
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?… But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
Jesus is clear. Worrying and anxiety will not help any situation. Meditate on the fact that the Father cares for wildlife, and therefore, all the more will He care for you.
Verses to Meditate on For God’s Peace to Replace Anxiety
Meditate on these verses to replace your anxiety with peace, with trust and faith that God will deliver you from anxiety. Refer to our post, Meditations & Scripture for Christians on Peace for a deeper concentration of meditations on peace.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.
Romans 8:6
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 16:20
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Isaiah 32:18
My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.