Does the Bible say anything about anxiety?

TL;DR:

The Bible addresses anxiety, calling us to turn our anxious feelings to the One who knows us and cares for us. The Bible calls us to focus our thoughts, to trust in God’s promises to care for our worries, and to give our anxiety to Him.

what does the bible say?

The Bible speaks powerfully to the issue of anxiety, inviting us to release our burdens to the Lord, who promises to sustain us (Psalm 55:22). In the New Testament, Jesus encourages us not to worry about our needs, reminding us that our heavenly Father is intimately aware of what we require (Matthew 6:31–33). Philippians 4:6–7 beautifully captures the essence of prayer, assuring us that when we present our worries to God, His peace will guard our hearts and minds. Moreover, 1 Peter 5:6–7 urges us to humble ourselves and cast all our anxieties on Him, emphasizing His deep care for us. Recognizing that anxiety is a common human struggle, the Bible empowers us to transform our thoughts, lean into God's promises, and seek support for anxiety, all while resting in the assurance of His unwavering love and faithfulness.

from the old testament

Psalm 55:22 calls us to cast our burdens on the Lord because He will sustain us. We do not need to hold on to the burden of our anxieties. We can voice them to the Lord and leave them in His capable hands.

from the new testament

Matthew 6:31–33 records Jesus saying, "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." We need not be anxious because we can trust in the character of God. God knows our needs and is faithful to provide for them. It is because of His love, care, power, and mercy that we can trust God and therefore not worry.
Philippians 4:6–7 says, "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." Basically, the Bible tells us not to be anxious. But it does more than that. The reason we are instructed to not be anxious is that God knows we will be. If we were not going to struggle with anxiety, God would have no need to command against it. He also does not simply tell us not to be anxious; He gives us ways to assuage our worries.
When we are anxious, we can cast our worries on the Lord because He cares for us. First Peter 5:6–7 says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

implications for today

Often, we are made most anxious by our thoughts. This is one reason we are wise to heed the command to take our thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). When we are aware of what we are thinking and are able to evaluate those thoughts based on the truth of the Bible, we will not be defeated by our thoughts. Rather than ruminating on worry, we can give it to Christ and trust in His loving care. This act of surrender is not merely passive; it requires intentionality and a commitment to focus on God's promises. Scripture reassures us that God is aware of our struggles, and He desires to carry our burdens. When we lean into His strength, He equips and empowers us to hold onto what is true and reject the toxic thoughts that seek to consume us.

Ultimately, taking our thoughts captive means recognizing that we have the ability to choose where to focus our minds. We can replace anxious thoughts with reminders of God’s faithfulness and goodness, allowing His peace to fill our hearts. By doing so, we cultivate a mindset rooted in hope, rather than fear, enabling us to navigate life’s challenges with confidence in God's sovereignty and care.

understand

The Bible urges us to give our anxieties to God.
God knows our needs and will provide when we seek Him.
Prayer brings God's peace, guarding our hearts and minds.

reflect

In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to cast your anxieties on God, and how can you intentionally surrender those worries to Him?
How does understanding that God is aware of your needs impact your ability to trust Him during anxious moments?
Can you identify any specific thoughts or worries that tend to consume you, and how can you replace them with reminders of God’s faithfulness?

engage

Some people struggle with anxiety to the point of debilitation. For this type of anxiety, God has given us the intellect to discover other ways of coping. These people may find help for their anxiety through community—much like the body of Christ working together or believers serving to edify and care for one another. They may also find support through counseling. Both community support and counseling support can help people in evaluating their thoughts and altering their behavior to lessen anxiety. In this way, these supports serve as assistants to the truth of the Bible. Anxiety is also biologically experienced. Sometimes the chemicals in our brains malfunction and leave us in a state of panic or chronic worry. There is medication that can help restore our bodies to function the way they were meant to. These various resources are helpful adjuncts to learning to cast our anxieties on the Lord and receiving His peace.
How do the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 6:31–33 reshape your perspective on material concerns and anxiety in your daily life?
How does the command to take our thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) challenge or encourage you to evaluate your mental habits and anxieties?