Bible verses about stress can help you maintain perfect peace during tough times: Here are the top Bible verses: Psalm 18:29, Ephesians 5:19-20, Proverbs 17:22, Ecclesiastes 4:12, Psalm 103:5, James 1:19 and Psalm 46:10.
In this article, we will explore more about each scripture. Why is this important?
In a recent poll, I asked Take Back Your Temple members to identify the biggest challenge they faced in daily life.
By a wide margin, the resounding answer was "stress." It's clear that many of us are navigating times of stress and anxiety, Seven Bible verses about stress can help you maintain perfect peace during tough times: Psalm 18:29, Ephesians 5:19-20, Proverbs 17:22, Ecclesiastes 4:12, Psalm 103:5, James 1:19 and Psalm 46:10.
However, the Bible offers a treasure trove of wisdom and comfort to face these challenges. Let's explore 7 powerful scriptures for the path to true peace and strength during life's storms:
1. Psalm 18:29: Get Empowered with God's Ever-present Help
Psalm 18:29 - "For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall."
Stress can overwhelm you when you believe that you are all alone. However as a Believer in Jesus, you are never alone. The Lord is with you!
Reminding yourself of this first powerful verse when you have an anxious heart is a game-changer.
David wrote this scripture after God delivered him from King Saul, who tried to kill him for years. Talk about stress!
David was in a crisis in life – literally.
And yet, David went to the Rock who was higher than He was.
When your heart is overwhelmed, do the same thing!
Take a prayer walk outside, looking high to the sky, the sun, the trees, the birds, all of God's wonderful creation.
Your concerns of life will shrink when you compare it to the size of our God!
2. Ephesians 5:19-20: Satisfy Spiritual Hunger
Ephesians 5:19-20 - "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,"
Wow! While these scripture quotations are jam-packed with wisdom, I want to focus on the statement: “singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
Doesn't humming make you more joyful in life? When I am peaceful and content, I hum naturally.
Turns out that science confirms that humming brings real benefits to your body.
Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to relax and can even lower your blood pressure naturally.
Hum some hymns to the Lord several times each day and you'll calm yourself down naturally.
3. Proverbs 17:22: Use Laughter as Medicine
Proverbs 17:22 - "A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones."
In his landmark book, 'Anatomy of an Illness,' author Norman Cousins wrote that laughter was a medicine that help him recover from a life-threatening illness.
Cousins said,
I made the joyous discovery that ten minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep,"
Imagine that!
To implement this Biblically-based prescription, go to YouTube and find some Christian comedy videos to give yourself a good laugh daily.
Personally, I like Christian comedians:
- Chonda Pierce
- Michael Jr
- Tim Hawkins
- Anita Renfro
- The Skit Guys.
Cultivate joy in life and you'll create an atmosphere of healing.
4. Ecclesiastes 4:12: Get Christian Support
Ecclesiastes 4:12 - "Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
The old saying, “There is strength in numbers” has a Biblical basis. One of the worst things you can do during tough times is to isolate yourself.
However, choose your company wisely.
Scripture affirms Godly counsel's value in life advice:
"A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.
- Proverbs 1:4-6
At the same time, it warns of the danger of corrupt counsel:
"Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:33
Assess your company.
If the people with whom you spend the most time are the source of your stress, then consider changing those associations for your health's sake.
Unfortunately, your associates may be family members in some cases!
When that is true in your situation, you need much prayer and God's counsel on how best to handle them in a way that honors Him!
5. Psalm 103:5 - Satisfy Physical Hunger Wisely
Psalm 103:5 - "Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s."
Ah, another Bible verse from King David! The man knew how to seek after God's heart.
In this scripture, David is praising the Lord for satisfying His mouth with good things to renew His youth.
I believe the good things David is referring to are good foods and good words.
Both have an impact on how well we manage stress.
Regarding good foods, I believe God's instruction to mankind about what to eat in Genesis 1:29 is His first and best.
When we eat a diet rich in plant-based foods, we give our bodies the nutrients they need for metabolism, boost the immune system to fight disease, strengthen our nervous system, and provide the raw materials for healthy tissue repair.
Some of the best foods to soothe the body in difficult times include:
- Oatmeal
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Avocado
- Garlic
- Berries (Blueberry, Strawberry, Raspberries, Cherries, etc)
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Dark chocolate (recommend 70% cacao or higher)
- Nuts such as walnuts, almonds and cashews (watch serving sizes as these are high in calories)
- Chamomile tea or decaffeinated green or black tea
Not only do you want to satisfy your mouth with foods that heal your body during stressful times, but you want to fill your mouth with good words!
Consider these 2 questions in your relationships:
- Is wisdom and kindness on your tongue when you speak (see Proverbs 31:26)?
- Do your words bring grace to the hearers (see Ephesians 4:29)?
The Bible says that you can eat well from the fruit of your mouth! Make sure that the words you feed yourself and others are good ones.
The best word to feed upon is God's word!
6. James 1:19 - Speak Wisely
James 1:19 - "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;"
This is one of the most practical scriptures for healthy human relationships in the Bible!
And yet, it can be the most difficult. How often do we turn this wisdom around?
We are slow to hear, quick to speak and quick to get angry!
Failure to practice this advice increases our load in stressful situations.
I can relate because I've had to struggle to keep my mouth closed when someone else is talking, all the while praying this scripture for the Christ Jesus' help silently!
So whenever you are in conflict with someone else, take time to discern what they are saying to you.
When in doubt, ask!
Clarify: "I heard you say__________. Is that what you meant?"
Sometimes just the act of clarifying what the person said can ease tensions.
Another tip is to wait 2 seconds after a person has finished speaking. Just count "One thousand one, one thousand two."
This allows you to receive what they said without immediate reaction and give space for the Holy Spirit to guard your mouth!
As the late author Stephen Covey once said, "Seek to understand, then to be understood."
7. Psalm 46:10 - Magnify God Above your Situation
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
I think "busyness" is the enemy's most subtle trick.
He wants us busy, distracted with noise, and so wrapped up in our circumstances that we forget about God.
He wants us to have a spirit of fear about stillness and silence. So we pack our schedules full in order to avoid them.
However, Romans 1:18-32 gives a horrifying picture of people who try to live apart from Christ Jesus. Verse 28 gets to the danger of the matter:
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;"
To sustain a sound mind, you must retain the knowledge of God in your daily thoughts.
Be still. Listen for His still, small voice.
Some people are so busy working for the Lord that they forget to walk with the Lord!
- Stop hurrying through your life.
- Be thoughtful and deliberate in your daily activities.
- Take time to thank the Lord even in the midst of stress.
- Communicate with Him in prayer.
- Meditate upon His goodness, His wonderful works, and reflect upon His priority in your life.
Retain His knowledge and be thankful that Christ Jesus is Lord and not you.
Your world is in His hands. He loves you and is a very present Help in times of trouble!
I hope these 7 scriptures have shown you some of the Bible's practical wisdom when you experience stress.
Put them into practice daily and watch your stress levels drop!