There was a time in my life that I was not a mother. It was a simpler time. Wink-wink. There was not as much laundry. It didn’t matter if my husband and I ate whatever was in the fridge and watched movies for the next 4 hours. But what strikes me most is that there was not as much worry in my heart. My heart is so much more sensitive to pain and death. When my babies are running around in our safe little haven, it seems as if the world will never touch them. Yet other times thoughts invade my heart and my children become delicate and helpless, and my perceived ability to protect them is shaken.
In these moments I’ve learned to turn to the Psalms. The Psalms are beautifully written in their poetic structure, but they are also filled to the brim with Psalms for anxiety that are comforting when anxiety strikes.
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What does God say About Anxiety?
God says a lot about anxiety, it’s interesting that he knows us so well to pack his Word with beautiful truths to impact our souls. Proverbs 12:25 (ESV) tells us that,
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”
As Christians, we have our Savior, Jesus Christ, who our full anxiety can be cast upon. He cares for us in deeper ways than we can possibly understand. He died for us! As a mother, I desire my children to show me their burdens. That they trust me enough to cast their worries on me. How much more does our heavenly father, who cares for us perfectly, want us to bask in his love as we turn to him?
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
The Psalms are primarily written by King David, who had many reasons for anxiety! Yet each Psalm that he wrote, seems to point us back to God as the ultimate comforter in times of worry or distress.
We all wish there was a magic formula for giving our anxiety to God, but there is not. One thing we do know is that we continually need to be giving over our anxiety to God through prayer and petition.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Why give our anxiety to God? The answer is simple, he cares for us and has the power to transform our minds and heart. Cast your anxiety on him because not only does he care, but he can take it away.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
There is still no magical formula for turning our anxieties over to God. For some of us, the process may be easy. And for others casting our anxieties over to God is a lifelong process. Just remember that Jesus gives peace unlike that of the world. His peace is perfect and good. The world is tainted by sin. He can give you beautiful and perfect peace (John 14:27). There are many Psalms for anxiety that can help direct your mind and thoughts to Him. Ask him today to take away your anxiety and watch him work.
One of the most common Bible verses that are used when referencing anxiety is Proverbs 12:25,
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)
Anxiety can wear you down, it can literally weigh you down! And what cheers it back up? A kind word. Think about that with me. What is a kind word? Is it someone speaking to you kindly? Maybe, but I tend to believe that we need to seek out our kind words.
It means surrounding ourselves with Bible believers, reading out Bible, listening to a podcast or sermon, and practicing what is good, honorable, and lovely (Philippians 4:8).
There are Psalm scripture memorization cards that go with each of the verses we will talk about. You can download the entire pack by clicking the picture.
Psalms for Anxiety
The Psalms are like the bacterial ointment that is in my medicine kit. When I put that bacterial ointment on a cut or ‘owie’ it immediately goes to work to disinfect the wound, but it stays on the cut and soaks in over time. In a comparable way, Psalms tend to stay with us. They are poetic in nature and their rhythmic nature bounces in our heads over time.
Using these Psalms for anxiety is a balm.
They are healing for a reason! Let them soak in and heal over time. Use the subsequent memorization cards to bring a little bit of beauty to your memorization. These Psalms for worry are a tool in our spiritual tool kit. When that worry wave washes over you, combat it with these simple bible verses for the worried mom.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
Psalms 116
Psalms 116 takes us on a journey of worshiping a God that hears! The first verse declares that he has heard our cry.
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
Psalms 116: 1 (ESV)
He hears our cry for mercy; he hears our anxious thoughts. What’s, even more, is that Matthew 6:25-27 tells us that he cares for us, he will clothe us, and that our anxious thoughts are not going to add anything to our lives.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Matthew 6:25-27
Psalm 23
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Have you ever found that some scripture when used frequently, loses its impact on your heart? I have found myself at that place many times. Psalm 23 is one of those passages that I have found myself callous toward. Not because I don’t believe it’s true; it’s simply a passage I’ve heard my entire life, and for a while, the weight of its truth didn’t hold quite that punch.
Yet God’s Word is living.
Motherhood will bring some dark days. Our children or our spouse becomes ill. The finances don’t always look rosy. Death is a part of our world. You may not be able to walk out of your dark times yet but know that God is walking beside you in it. He is your comfort during the times we are stuck in the darkness.
Psalm 56
I like to trust in my own strength. Trouble is, I’m honestly not that strong. I just like to think that I am. Relate at all mommas? It’s time to put our truth in God. He is our rock during tough times. Our strength when our worries overtake our hearts. Listen to this Psalms for anxiety in Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3
Simple words, yet difficult to put into practice. Or is it? Why is it so easy to trust in our own strength, yet we fight at putting our strength in our God that is infinitely stronger than ourselves? Our sinful nature is strong. yet the blood of Jesus Christ is stronger. Turn your affections toward him, because he deserves our submissive heart. Someday, I want to get to the point in my walk with Jesus that I can declare Psalm 112:7,
They have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Psalm 112:7
Psalm 121
Are you noticing a theme here in these Psalms for anxiety? It’s strikingly obvious to me; we as mommas are not in control. We love that control, don’t we? But it’s useless. Our help comes from God. Relinquish that control, and let God be in control. That is where he belongs. Where you belong is submitting to his awe-inspiring strength and help.
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
Psalm 27
We have a God that hears, walks beside us, is trustworthy, and provides help; we have no reason to be afraid. Psalm 27 packs a punch, let’s dive a little bit deeper into this text.
What Does Psalm 27 Say?
Psalm 27 is a light beam of truth; it not only packs a punch. It starts off with the phrase, “You are my light and my salvation.” Do we really believe that? Are you convinced that God is the light beam that directs your path every day? Are you washed in the blood of the salvation of Jesus Christ?
If you are, then you can declare the next part, “whom shall I fear?”
No one, because God walks before you, he knows you better than you know yourself, and he is the one that goes to battle for you during the dark days of motherhood. God will hold your infant closer than you can ever hold him or her. He will protect your family and give you strength on the days when the hurts of this world come.
“God, You are my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? You are the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked come against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear!”
Psalm 27:1-3
How do you Overcome Anxiety in the Bible?
Let’s get practical. It’s not as easy to overcome fear by just believing the truth. Our hearts still stumble, and our emotions and hormones are still ever-present. God has those emotions and hormones for us for a reason. But basking in them, letting them sink in and take rest, will not aid you.
How do we overcome anxiety in practical ways?
- Read Our Bibles
- God’s Word is here for a reason. It is meant to teach and train us in our walk with God. Memorize its truths, because when the worry sets in, God’s truth is our light to combat our untruth.
- Memorize Scripture
- Have you noticed the lovely Psalm Scripture Memorization cards that have been accompanying this post? Use them to memorize these scriptures. Print them and write these scriptures down. Memorize God’s words as worry is vanquished.
- Pray
- 1 Peter 3:12 reminds us that God hears our prayers. Lift your worries to him.
- Worship
- One of the most powerful ways to bring our focus and affection back to God is to worship. Worship matters and we can find rest and rejuvenation by declaring in song the theology and doctrine that are trustworthy.
There is no simple answer to anxiety. Anxiety can rear its ugly head and clench our hearts with unrelenting fear. However, prayer can help. When we go to our heavenly father with our anxiety and fears. We ask for his help and his power, God can do amazing things. God’s ear is open to your prayer (1 Peter 3:12), he will hear you. He can do great things.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Romans 8:26 ESV
How do I Give my Anxiety to God?
It’s not always easy to give our worries to God, our sinful nature often wants to hold on to emotions. But we saw from these Psalms that God is our strength, he can be trusted, and he is there for you when your worries are overwhelming.
You can practically give your anxieties to God by reading your bible, memorizing scripture, and praying. Use the above Psalms for worry to rest in God’s truth.
Does memorizing scripture with the Psalms for worry cards seem too overwhelming? You can also hang scripture around your home. Grab the Psalms in a wall art format below and hang them around your home in prominent places to remind you of God’s truth.
- Hang in your bathroom to meditate on scripture in the mornings and evenings.
- Hang them in your entryway to remind you of God’s truth as you enter and exit.
- Frame the most memorable verse for you and place it on your nightstand. When you need to let go at night use it as a reminder to trust in God.
These Psalms for anxiety can be a balm for your soul on days that anxiety strikes. Read these scriptures and remember God’s sovereign plan for your life.
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I love your choices of Psalms. We are often told to find Bible verses that resonate with situations we are going through, whether fear, worry, grief, seeking repentance, etc. In the process of wanting to trust in the Lord at all times, I ended up mastering Psalms 91. I can pray it anywhere anytime. It makes me trust in the Lord and not in my own strength. Thanks for expressing our human nature and authenticating the fact that we need to trust in the Lord.
What a great Psalms to master. We certainly need to trust in the Lord!
These psalms are great reminders to trust God and give him our worries. Love the cards, too!
Thank you Collene!
I love the Psalms you have shared here. As a Mom also, I share your fears and concerns. God is so good to us. And He loves our children even more than we do. Thank you for this incredibly beautiful and encouraging post. I am praying for many moms to come across this during this season of uncertainty. ❤
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