Signs of Anxiety and Bible Verses to Help

Anxiety rates have greatly increased and are at the highest they’ve been in the 21^st century. The rates were high even before the pandemic and increased by 25% just in the first year of the pandemic.

Now that the pandemic is waning, many people have grown accustomed to a persistent, low level of anxiety in everyday life. But this can take a toll on your long-term physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

If you are struggling with any level of anxiety, we understand it can significantly impact your daily life.  The following can help you identify the common signs of anxiety in your life and understand how to manage them using biblical principles.

Common Signs of Anxiety

If you have anxiety, you may experience any of these symptoms:

• Constant feelings of self-doubt
• Disrupted breathing
• Chest discomfort or tightness
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up
• Easily fatigued
• Frequent headaches or stomachaches
• Extreme nervousness
• Extreme worry
• Feelings of panic
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Heightened self-consciousness
• Hot or cold flashes
• Racing heart rate
• Muscle tension or pain

When you face stress, these symptoms can occur on their own or in combination with one another. If signs of anxiety are causing regular disruptions in your everyday life, it may be helpful to speak with a Christian counselor, who can help you get to the root cause(s) of your anxiety and help alleviate the symptoms.

The Roots of Anxiety

Anxiety can be rooted in past traumatic events that you have never processed. Whether they are minor or serious traumas, they can trigger your fears in stressful situations. A counselor can help you dig up the roots of anxiety, so they no longer have a hold on your thoughts, emotions, or actions.

In addition to talk therapy, they can help you use methods like biblical meditation, surrendering in prayer, and reminding you about your identity in Christ. Many people are set free from anxiety through talk therapy alone. Other people need prescription medication to help deal with their anxiety. When you meet with a qualified counselor, you will discuss which methods are best for you.

What The Bible Says About Anxiety

The Bible lists anxiety as a common problem throughout human history. Fear and lack of control are often the underlying reasons for anxiety. Behind fear, there is often doubt and a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty over our lives. Our anxieties, fears, and doubts create barriers to a deeper faith in God. But He promises to help us overcome them in His strength rather than our own.

You were never meant to be permanently in bondage to your anxiety. Instead, God requires you to trust Him as your savior, defender, redeemer, and refuge. He wants you to learn more about who He is from the Bible so you can replace your doubts, fears, and anxiety with greater faith in Him.

Let’s look at several Bible verses on anxiety to calm your anxiety, destroy your doubts, and allay your fears.

Bible Verses on Anxiety

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! – Psalm 139:23

God wants you to turn your anxious thoughts over to Him. If you trust Him to search you, know you, and test you for anxiety, He will reveal the sources so He can calm you. In anxious moments, pray this scripture and open yourself to God’s loving examination so He can grant you perfect peace.

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. – Proverbs 12:25

Anxious thoughts and feelings are heavy. They weigh us down and keep us stuck in toxic thought cycles. But caring words from the Bible, a Christian counselor, and godly friends can help you feel uplifted. Seek out the truth in God’s Word the minute you feel anxious and reach out for encouragement from friends and your counselor when you need a boost.

When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. – Psalm 94:19

Anxieties tend to build upon each other, multiplying out of control in your thoughts and feelings. This can happen very quickly as your thoughts spiral downward. However, God wants to comfort us when our anxieties are wildly spinning. Like a loving parent with an anxious child, God will draw you close in His comforting embrace. He will delight your soul with lasting comfort, unlike the temporary comfort the world offers.

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7

You can use this verse as a mental picture to help you overcome anxiety. Each time an anxious thought tempts you, envision yourself throwing your worries far out onto a lake, where Jesus will take them from you. He is waiting and ready to relieve you from the pressures you face because He loves you so much and can handle everything you throw at Him.

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. – Philippians 4:6-7

This passage of scripture is packed with practical help for handling anxiety. When you feel worried, that’s a prompt to pray, no matter what is worrying you. Ask God for the exact things you need, then follow up by thanking Him for being faithful to you in the past.

Memorize this sequence, then put it into action at the top of the anxiety spiral. When you do this, your anxious thoughts will stop, and you’ll experience the peace of God which surpasses all understanding and places a guard on your heart and mind.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. – Isaiah 26:3

You may feel as though your mind travels in many different directions when you are feeling anxious. However, you can train your mind to focus on God’s unchanging character instead. This will build up your trust in Him, and you’ll be open to experiencing His perfect peace. Repeat this verse to yourself when you need to focus your mind on the truth rather than on what makes you feel anxious.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. – Colossians 3:15

Is anxiety on the throne of your heart, or is Jesus sitting there? He wants to have full reign over your heart so he can infuse you with His perfect peace that passes all understanding. Each time signs of anxiety rise in your heart and mind, tell Jesus that you want him to take over the throne of your heart. As you invite him in repeatedly, you’ll start feeling more peaceful.

Christian Counseling for Signs of Anxiety

Anxiety problems are complex by nature. They can be triggered by many things. Anxiety is deeply embedded in your thoughts and feelings, all the way back to childhood. It resists being removed because the patterns are so ingrained.

The good news is that you can reprogram the way your mind and body respond to anxiety triggers. You can reroute neural pathways in your brain so that you are no longer held captive to the same triggers. You can also learn ways to calm your body when stressed so you can eradicate signs of anxiety from your daily life.

It’s possible to conquer anxiety with God’s help and concentrated effort in therapy. You can go through the process of conquering anxiety faster with the help of a Christian counselor. These Bible verses and tips can help you in anxious moments, but sessions with a counselor can help you process past traumas, discover anxiety triggers, and learn healthy coping techniques to decrease and eliminate debilitating anxiety.

Please give us a call if you are looking for more help in overcoming the signs of anxiety in your life. We are ready to help you!