If you were to open my mother’s Bible, the first thing you would notice would be the handwritten notes and Bible verses for mental health that kept her secure in God.
Dig a little further and you would come across underlined verses, cut-out sections from the church newsletter, and notes from sermons. I’ve just realized I do much the same in writing this blog. Mum had her favorite verses that kept her secure in God.
I recently asked some of the Turning the Page email community what their favorite verses were for their mental health. Here is what they shared.
Bible Verses to Help Your Mental Wellness
1. 2 Timothy 1:7
“God has not given you a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind.”
2. Psalm 46:10
“Be. Still. And know. That I AM. God.”
3. 1 Chronicles 28:9-10
“Be strong and do the work.”
4. Psalm 23:3
“He restores my soul.”
5. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God.”
6. Psalm 118:24
“This is the day that the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad.”
7. Psalm 23:1
“He makes me lie down in green pastures.”
8. Philippians 4:6
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.”
9. John 14:14
“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
10. Isaiah 38:20
“The Lord will save me, and we will sing to stringed instruments all the days of our lives, at the house of the Lord.”
11. 2 Chronicles 20:1
“It came to pass…”
Contributor Note: This reminds me that no situation, however horrid, will last forever. On the flip side—it also reminds me that no earthly situation, however wonderful, will last forever, so enjoy the moment.
12. Luke 18:13
“Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
13. Deuteronomy 7:22
“The Lord your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to make a quick end of them, otherwise, the wild animals would become too numerous for you.”
14. Isaiah 40:8
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.”
Big thanks to those of you who contributed to this list of Bible verses.
Some Final Notes on Scripture and Wellness
As we reflect on these passages, a few beautiful themes stand out:
- Easy to remember: Many of these verses are short, making them perfect to hold onto during stressful moments.
- Varied translations: People use different versions of the text to find the phrasing that speaks deepest to them.
- Hidden depth: Some verses don’t have an obvious mental health focus at first glance, but as you mull them over, the flavor comes out.
- The power of poetry: Notice how many of these verses are poetic. A large portion of scripture speaks directly to our emotions through poetry.
- Timeless comfort: Psalm 23 remains a foundational anchor, mentioned twice by our community.
So, let us dig a little deeper into the Bible and let it transform our thinking.
Need Help Integrating the Bible into Your Mental Wellness?
Download the free ebook: Four Spiritual Exercises from the Bible to Improve Your Mental Health
Quotes to consider
- “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” — Charles Spurgeon
- “Christians don’t simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water…” — Eugene H. Peterson
- “The question is: Why have these poems and prayers endured? Why, thousands of years later, do we still have them? And the answer you’ll return to again and again is: They speak to our human experience.” — Rob Bell
Questions to Answer
- What verses of scripture help you with your mental health?
- Why do you think poetry speaks so deeply to the human soul?
- What habits do you have to keep verses of scripture alive in your thinking?
Further Reading
Barry Pearman
Image cc: Aaron Burden
Consider reading
7 thoughts on “14 Comforting Bible Verses for Mental Health and Anxiety”
I spoke on my personal to find Eiréné (God’s gift of wholeness/peace) in the message this past Sunday, & members have been telling me since that they’re searching for it, too. This article will help. Can’t wait to share it with them!
Thanks Valerie.
Thank you! I’m currently writing on having a peaceful heart in the midst of a noisy world. I use some of these verses as well. And what a precious thing to have from your mum. Abundant blessings to you! Kandace
I always find strength and comfort in the verse that says ‘it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me and the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who died and gave his life for me. Paraphrase from I think Galatians? Bible to hand right now.
Yes, it is so affirming isn’t it. Thanks for sharing it
For many years I have used this verse when fighting intrusive thoughts:
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
When I need to get straight to the hub of it I quote Jesus’ words from Matthew 4:10:
“Get thee hence, Satan”.
Thanks David. So good to have a sure foundation of Bible verses to stand on when needed