Do you struggle with anxiety, stress, or fear? You’re in good company. Many wonder about the solution, “how to overcome anxiety, stress, or fear?” Firstly, we should probably define a few things.

Recently, we asked our community this question. On a scale of 1-10, do you struggle with anxiety, stress, or worry? The results were nearly all across the board.

• 1 – 0
• 2 – 1
• 3 – 3
• 4 – 3
• 5 – 2
• 6 – 1
• 7 – 1
• 8 – 0
• 9 – 0
• 10 – 0

What is your score? Please leave it in the comments below. What can we discover from these findings? Well, despite our limited pool of answers not falling into the more extreme numbers of 8-10, we can decipher that anxiety lives with all of us. Even if it’s small, anxiety is around.

Some common disorders and how to overcome anxiety

Not everyone who suffers from anxiety has a disorder. However, certainly, we know that some do. Here are some common anxiety disorders:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Panic Disorder / Panic Attacks
• Agoraphobia – avoiding places or situations
• Social Anxiety
• Depression
• Associated OCD and Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS

As you can tell, even just from this brief, non-comprehensive list, there are many ways anxiety fleshes itself out. This is something we should know how to fight as Christians.

Some crucial stats regarding anxiety to consider:

• The most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older
• Approximately 8% of children and teenagers experience an anxiety disorder, with most people developing symptoms before age 21.
• Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 13 globally suffers from anxiety.

Some quick takeaways from this. Anxiety is prevalent. The coming generations may experience more of it. Yet, less than half receive treatment. Let’s define some common attributes of what an anxiety disorder looks like:

• Constant unsubstantiated worry that interferes with daily life
• Avoiding social situation for fear of being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated
• Out of the blue panic attacks and preoccupation with fear of another one
• Irrational fear or avoidance of a person, place, or thing that poses no danger
• Recurring nightmares, flashbacks, or emotional numbing related to a traumatic event that occurred several month or year before

What’s not an Anxiety disorder? (everyday anxiety)

• Worry about paying bills, landing a job
• Being uncomfortable in social situations
• Nervousness before a big test, presentation, etc.
• Fear of a dangerous person, place, or thing
• Anxiety, sadness, or difficulty sleeping immediately after a traumatic event

We want to define an anxiety disorder because we don’t want to slap labels on people haphazardly. Some people genuinely need help for their disorder. Some people may need time (I.E., the presentation to be over). A key indicator from the above information would be that it’s more likely to be a disorder if the effects are felt randomly and consistently.

How to overcome anxiety

Now the good stuff. The Bible has a lot to say about anxiety, fear, and worry. We’ll give you a list below of some verses to keep in your back pocket when facing these emotions.

Firstly, here’s what we’re not saying. We’re not saying medication or therapy can’t be helpful. They certainly can be beneficial for people with anxiety disorders. Sometimes you need real-world treatment.

Secondly, here’s what we are saying. We believe in the power of the Word of God. We believe it can practically help you with real-world problems. So, when the Bible says not to fear because God is with you, that’s an action sequence. If we believe God is truly with us, it should diminish our fear.

Importantly, if you have an anxiety disorder, this is a really complicated thing to overcome because your fears come randomly and consistently. It’s not a belief problem; it’s something else. Nevertheless, the Bible still has something to say to people with disorders. Your disorder doesn’t own you. God does. You can trust Him.

Here are some takeaways, and then following are some Bible verses to read:

• We can trust God even if we have an anxiety disorder.
  • We can trust His sovereignty and goodness to work through humanity to develop man-made remedies such as medication and therapy.
  • Those man-made remedies may not alone be the answer, but they can be.
• If we don’t have a disorder but struggle with anxiety, we can still trust God.
  • God’s Word is the final authority, not our circumstances.
  • As believers, we can trust that everything happens for our good and God’s glory.
  • God made you exactly how you should be. Your struggles with anxiety should point you to the glorious savior.

Bible verses on anxiety and fear

• 1 John 4:18
• Isaiah 35:4
• Isaiah 40:31
• Joshua 1:9
• Luke 12:22
• Matthew 6:25-34
• Psalm 34:4
• Psalm 94:19
• Romans 8:38-39
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Jeremiah 17:7-8
• Philippians 4:6-7
• Luke 12:24-34
• Matthew 11:28-30
• John 14:27
• Psalm 23
• 2 Thessalonians 3:16
• Psalm 55:22
• Proverbs 12:25
• 1 Peter 5:6-8