Using the Psalms to Help You Overcome Anxiety

Anxiety affects millions of Christians each day. Brought on by worry and stress anxiety causes many of us to feel overwhelmed. Finding ways to overcome anxiety without medication can be stressful in itself. Christian counselors can help you overcome anxiety using Scripture. Many verses address anxiety in the Bible.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a common health issue that

comes from a feeling of fear or dread. It can cause many physical symptoms and even lead a person to believe they are having heart problems. Anxiety is most commonly a stress reaction. Learning to identify stressors can greatly reduce the amount of anxiety you experience.

God gives us the wisdom to overcome anxiety in the Bible. He does this by teaching us how to change our way of thinking. Christian counselors often use secular-based treatment with scripture to battle anxiety

Can listening to or reading Scripture help you overcome anxiety?

Many Christians who battle anxiety have stated that listening to scripture helps calm them during an anxiety attack. While some have no preference as to what they listen to, others have said that Psalm 91 is one of the best chapters of the Bible to overcome anxiety. There are many scriptures about anxiety in the Bible. While you may not find the word anxiety you can refer to any Scripture that talks about overcoming fear.

What is Psalm 91 about?

When you are struggling to overcome an anxiety attack you become panicked about your health. This panic only enhances the symptoms of anxiety. Your heart continues to race faster, you feel lightheaded and weak, and you can’t seem to focus. The best thing you can do is to calm your mind and begin to take some deep breaths. Easier said than done in most cases. Psalm 91 is a great scripture to recite when you find yourself facing anxiety.

Psalm 91 helps you focus on God’s protection and promises regarding any type of attack by the enemy. God does not want us to live in a state of panic. That was not His intention when He created the Garden of Eden. God knew we would be facing things that would cause anxiety, so He gave us scripture to help us focus on Him.

Trust in the fear: Learning to trust that God will hear your prayer and be near you is vital to keeping a calm mind during anxiety. Retraining our focus during times of anxiety will reduce the time we spend panicking in anxiety. God wants us to trust in Him and His goodness. That is the basis of faith.

One who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will lodge in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” – Psalm 91:1-2, NASB

Knowing He will rescue you: During an anxiety attack, you may find yourself wishing you weren’t alone. You feel desperate to have someone with you “just in case something happens.” This is another way the enemy will deceive you during anxiety.

The adversary wants you to believe that you are in the middle of a crisis. Don’t allow the enemy to lead you further into the darkness of his lies. Trust that God is going to rescue you every time.

For it is He who rescues you from the net of the trapper And the deadly plague. He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may take refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and wall. – Psalm 91:3-4, NASB

Resting in no fear: The biggest thought to overcome related to anxiety is fear. God does not want us consumed by fear. Jesus tells us in 2 Timothy that we are to have a sound mind. Fear is the number one lie that the enemy uses to cause us to doubt what God’s word says. It is his favorite tactic to cause us anxiety. There are many scriptures about overcoming fear and anxiety in the Bible because God does not want us to focus on what the world wants us to fear continually.

You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day; Of the plague that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that devastates at noon. – Psalm 91: 5-6

Strength in the Lord: You wouldn’t think that strength would have any part to play against anxiety. But finding the mental strength to battle the thoughts of fear can be overwhelming when you are in the middle of an anxiety attack.

Being able to change your thoughts and feelings of fear to those that are positive and strong is a process. You have to be intentional about recognizing the thoughts that cause the fear and how to apply the positive ones.

A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not approach you. You will only look on with your eyes And see the retaliation against the wicked. – Psalm 91: 7-8, NASB

He’s your defender: It may sound strange to talk about a defender in the middle of an anxiety attack. As mentioned earlier, fear is an attack by the enemy. God is the only defender we need when it comes to fighting the adversary. No matter what trick or lie the enemy may try to plant in your mind, God is bigger and will defend you.

There is nothing too big or small for God to handle. Many times in His word He reassures us that He is our defender. This thought can help you begin to take calming breaths when you are struggling with anxiety.

For you have made the LORD, my refuge, The Most High, your dwelling place. No evil will happen to you, Nor will any plague come near your tent. – Psalm 91:9-10, NASB

Protector: When it comes to protecting, parents are top-notch. We don’t want to see our children hurting or suffering. God is the same way when it comes to protecting us. He knows we will face those times when we are scared and need protection.

That is why He promised to be the one who protects us from the darts of the enemy. He gives us a place of refuge when the enemy relentlessly attacks our minds. When the enemy sends distracting thoughts to cause fear, God sends angels to protect us in those times of need.

For He will give His angels orders concerning you, To protect you in all your ways. On their hands they will lift you up, So that you do not strike your foot against a stone. You will walk upon the lion and cobra, You will trample the young lion and the serpent. – Psalm 91:11-13, NASB

Finding security in His name: Overcoming those thoughts that linger and bring fear can be a battle. It can leave you tired and ready to rest. Not only does anxiety make you emotionally and mentally fatigued, but it can also cause you to be physically drained.

It’s okay to need rest. The important part is that you recognize you need rest and find a way to take time to regroup your thoughts. Resting in God’s peace and security is one way to alleviate the battle of thinking when you are trying to take a nap. God will keep you secure in peace when you rest in Him.

Because he has loved Me, I will save him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. – Psalm 91:14, NASB

Reassurance: One of the best ways to combat anxiety is to be reassured that everything will be okay. Anxiety is based on fear. This could be a fear of failing to meet a deadline or a fear of becoming deathly ill. Whatever the underlying cause fear is the culprit causing anxiety. Psalm 91 reassures us that God is always near and is always going to watch over us in our times of need.

“He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. “I will satisfy him with a long life, And show him My salvation.” – Psalm 91:15-16, NASB

Do you feel that you need help learning to overcome anxiety that has been affecting your life? Contact a qualified Christian counselor to seek help. They can create a treatment plan to help you manage the stress that is causing anxiety as well as guide you through Scripture about anxiety in the Bible.