Monday, December 29, 2008

BIBLE VERSES FOR PANIC AND ANXIETY

I posted these May 1, 2007 and would like to post them again to keep them current and easy to find. These verses changed my thought-life, my prayer-life, my relationship with God, gave me courage, and helped me see that my panic, depression, and anxiety were not stronger than my God, even though I had previously thought so! The reason I began this blog was to share these verses with others who might need them. I used to read them daily and on anxious days I also read them just before bed. God's Word is alive and active and when spoken out loud--powerful. (Hebrews 4:12) After about 4 months, I prayed these verses out loud to God during a panic attack, and the panic left, and God's peace flooded in. It took about 20 minutes of praying these verses before the fear left. The next time I had an attack, it took about 10 minutes, and the next time it took all of one verse prayed out loud before the fear left! I could scarcely believe it and ran and told my husband who was in the bedroom getting ready for work.

Please don't think I am against medication for anxiety, panic, and depression. I am not. But I was medication-sensitive and couldn't tolerate the side effects of the SSRIs prescribed to me. I tried them all over a two-year period. I was desperate for relief! However, all I could tolerate was a low-dose sedative. And I took it as needed for about 3 years, and then, when things went from bad to worse, 3 times a day--until I realized, after being in God's Word daily for over a year and praying these Scriptures, I was skipping doses because I'd forget to take them. I'd forget to take them because I stopped experiencing the inner "vibrating" that signaled to me that the dose had worn off and it was time for another. I'd get busy and go my merry way and then realize suddenly that I'd missed the noon dose. I simply didn't need as much of the sedative.

These are the Bible studies by Beth Moore that helped increase my faith and my belief and helped me discover who my God really was and what He could do. To discover who Jesus really was and how to have a relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit:Believing God, Breaking Free, Living Beyond Yourself, To Live is Christ, The Beloved Disciple, The Patriarchs. I also took time out of every day to worship God and sit before Him in humility and silence. I surrendered my will to Him in everything--even panic.

Now that I've said all that, I have to say this: I've learned that when I don't meditate on these verses often, I default back into an "anxious" mode. Not as severe as before when I had panic attacks, but bad enough to make me uncomfortable and put me on my knees before the Lord. Not only is the answer to my panic and anxiety about my relationship with the Lord, it's also about speaking God's Word over my challenges--and my biggest challenges are fear of people, anxiety, and worry. I think my blog proves that! These verses breathe life and truth and God's peace into me. I hope they do that for others.

VERSES FROM ORIGINAL POST--


Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee, (your name): be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Isaiah 41:13 "For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isaiah 43:1-4 "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour....Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee...."

Joshua 1:5-7,9 "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage....Only be thou strong and very courageous..Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.".

Psalm 107:13-16 "Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder."

Phillipians 4:6-7 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Psalm 91: 1-2, 4-6 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday."

Psalm 91: 14-16 "Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."

Isaiah 54:10 "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Proverbs 1:33 "But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all you anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee."

Romans 8:6 "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

Isaiah 59:19 "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."

Ephesians 2:14 "For he is our peace."

Isaiah 51:12-15 "I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor....But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name.

Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."

Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Proverbs 2:7-8 He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. (New International Version)


Hebrews 13:5-6 God has said, "Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid." (New International Version)

2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises.... (New International Version)

Isaiah 30:18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him. (New International Version)

Psalm 34:4: "I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears." (New International Version)

I just found this one and decided to add it--

Romans 16:20: "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

thank you for posting these again!!!

love you,
jill

Anonymous said...

This page has brought me to tears. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful testimony. May God continue to strengthen you and build your faith.

Jane

Cheryl said...

My 25 yr. old son recently suffered his first major panic attack. He lives 3 1/2 hrs. from us and called very distraught. He finally had to call 911 and they took him to the ER. He was given an rx and sent home. Since then he has seen a doctor and gotten ax rx for zoloft but has still suffered daily will anxiety and more panic attacks. He is a believer as we are. I came across this website today while looking for scripture to share with him and sent him a copy of your story and the verses. I am praying daily that God will free him of this anxiety and that he will take the time to read the verses, especially when he feels the anxiety coming on. Thanks again.

Hannah said...

this brought me to tears I needed these verses so much thank you! (:

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for these.... such a blessing

Lori said...

I am struggling with fear, anxiety, and racing thoughts. I searched for Bible verses on anxiety and came across your page. I will be visiting it often and praying I can get back to my normal self. God bless!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing. These are some powerful scriptures. It has bought me to tears also which means that God is healing my wounded soul. Glory to your name God! Glory to your name!!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks

Unknown said...

Ty god bless you I been suffering from this for about 10 yrs

Epearl said...

Pearl
I just read this as I have been struggling for years with overbearing anxiety. It really keep me from living. The only relief I got was sleep or medication. Though I don’t take it daily because of fear of addiction. I really am struggling my body hurt daily weakness shear panic. I am a Christian and I know God’s Word. I am so glad to get these Scriptures today Joni. God Bless
I wish we could stay in touch

Anonymous said...

Thank You for this list of scriptures and for sharing your testimony, it has encouraged me for about over 5 years now. I always find myself coming back to your page to renew my mind and to be reminded of where God has brought me from. Your page is definitely a support group and it reminds me that I am not alone and makes me feel apart of something. God Bless you~

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for your article it truly helped me. I am a Christian however I struggle with fear, worry and depression. I'm on medication and I see a therapist weekly. My problem is consistency. I know that God is the answer. And like you, whenever I neglect my studies I get blown out of shape and then I wonder why this is happening. I then realize I slacked up on my commune with Jesus so I begin my studies again and life gets better. Thank you for emphasizing speaking God's word out loud. It feels awkward. However I have to do this!so I can get comfortable saying it. Thank you so much God bless you.