Devotional for Anxiety
Anxiety can cause a person to avoid taking a risk or going out on a limb. And that can stop a person from experiencing personal and spiritual growth. At times, anxiety can feel like it has a stronghold on your heart.
It can feel impossible to release the anxiety and the worry and to allow God to lead.
Sometimes anxiety is rooted in circumstances, lies we believe, or spiritual battles. Other times it’s tied to body chemistry (hormones, caffeine, lack of sleep, trauma responses, or a highly sensitive nervous system).
God is bigger than all of it. He can calm your heart instantly through His Word and Spirit, and He also works through doctors, counselors, medication, and lifestyle changes when needed. Support comes in all forms and seeking help is wisdom, not weakness.
Don’t carry this alone. Tell your spouse, ‘I’m really anxious today—can we pray together?’ Let them be part of God’s answer. God often uses the person right beside us to speak His peace.
If anxiety ever feels unbearable or you have thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out right now—call or text 988 (U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or tell someone close to you. You are never alone and your life matters deeply to God.
Jesus in Gethsemane was “sorrowful and troubled…overwhelmed with sorrow” and sweat drops of blood (a real medical phenomenon under extreme stress). Even the Son of God experienced intense anxiety—yet He brought it straight to the Father.
Today’s support comes to us in the form of God’s word!
Take the time to read the below bible scriptures and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your own Bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God’s words and feel closer to Him.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Matthew 6:25-30
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Proverbs 12:25
An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
Isaiah 41:10
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.
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Here's a quick prayer if you're struggling to find the words:
Father, my heart is racing and my mind won’t quiet down. I give this worry to You right now. Thank You that You care for me and You’re already in my tomorrow. Replace my fear with Your perfect peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
One action step for today:
Say out loud (even if you don’t feel it yet): ‘When I am afraid, I will trust in You’ (Psalm 56:3)
God Bless,
Melissa
