Types of Bible Verses About Stress
The Bible has a lot to say about stress. In the bible, stress can also mean: trouble, problems, pain, distress, tribulation or adversity. According to the Logos Factbook, the definition of stress can mean: feeling physical pressure or worry, or a perception of physical or mental pressures which lead to psychological pain. Indeed the Bible has lots to say regarding our lives and it is relevant and practical to help us in our lives! In the bible there is a person called Jabez who had a prayer to God as he was afraid of being a source of pain and stress to others, as his mother named him "pain" as she bore him in sorrow. Interestingly he prayed to God about his request below and God granted it. It said God granted him his request of him not causing pain, blessing him and enlarging his border. However it did not say if it kept him from feeling stressed.
9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him with sorrow.” 10 Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border! May your hand be with me, and may you keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” God granted him that which he requested. (1 Chronicles 4:10)
The bible verse below talked about how wisdom from God has helped in solving problems in Daniel's situation. With God's Holy Spirit and wisdom with us, there would a lot that can be done to prevent stress in our lives. However, even Daniel is not immune from stress either, as he was persecuted for his faith by palace political rivals.
11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him. The king, Nebuchadnezzar, your father—yes, the king, your father—made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers, 12 because an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting of dreams, showing of dark sentences, and dissolving of doubts were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”(Daniel 5:11–12)
It is hard for us to avoid stress in our daily lives.
The Nature And Origin Of Stress
Where does Stress come from in the very beginning? To answer that question, we need to look at Genesis at the Fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis Chapter 3). Adam and Eve are the first humans that God created and after they fell into sin. The Logos Factbook defined sin as: "actions that violate the law or moral standard of God". Personal sin as defined by the Logos Factbook is: "an act of revolt against the God toward whom every person owes love and obedience. The fall of Adam and Eve is the paradigm for the nature of personal sin and its consequences."
When sin entered the world, the world is never the same. Yes, all of our problems and death are traced back to the Original sin by Adam and Eve when they chose out of their free will to go against God's commandment to them. The Logos Factbook defined "Original sin" as: "the doctrine that, as a result of Adam's fall, all mankind are sinners by nature, having a propensity to sin that underlies every actual sin". Our sins are offences towards God and He can hide his face from us due to our sins. Iniquity is another word for sin.
17 To Adam he said, “Because you have listened to your wife’s voice, and have eaten from the tree, about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ the ground is cursed for your sake. You will eat from it with much labor all the days of your life. 18 It will yield thorns and thistles to you; and you will eat the herb of the field. 19 You will eat bread by the sweat of your face until you return to the ground, for you were taken out of it. For you are dust, and you shall return to dust.” (Genesis 3:17–19)
7 For we are consumed in your anger. We are troubled in your wrath. 8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. (Psalm 90:7–8)
You hide your face; they are troubled. You take away their breath; they die and return to the dust. (Psalm 104:29)
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing. (Proverbs 13:17)
He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.(Proverbs 22:8)
20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it can’t rest and its waters cast up mire and mud. 21 “There is no peace”, says my God, “for the wicked.”(Isaiah 57:20–21)
and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores. They still didn’t repent of their works. (Revelation 16:11)
As it is, as long as we are alive, we will experience stress. The bible verse below mentioned that man is born to trouble.
but man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward. (Job 5:7)
However, as this post will soon reveal, there are bible verses about how God is gracious towards us and how God is full of mercy and love for us.
43 He rescued them many times, but they were rebellious in their counsel, and were brought low in their iniquity. 44 Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry. (Psalm 106:43–44)
Which Parts Of Us Are Affected By Stress?
It is interesting that even though it is well known that stress can affect our bodies and negatively impact our health, causing various diseases. It is less well known that stress can also affect our inner being. Our inner being is our hearts, our souls and our spirits. The following bible verses show how stress affect our souls, our spirits and our hearts. This would reflect our inner need for God.
Your Soul Is Affected By Stress
The Logo Factbook defined the soul as the spiritual essence of the human being, and it, like the physical body, has its origin in the creative work of God. Jesus Christ mentioned in the garden of Gethsemane that his soul is exceedingly sorrowful. Even Jesus is not immune to stress! However Jesus Christ is aware of his purpose and He continued to glorify God in the midst of his stress.
20 Bring your youngest brother to me; so will your words be verified, and you won’t die.” They did so. 21 They said to one another, “We are certainly guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us, and we wouldn’t listen. Therefore this distress has come upon us.” (Genesis 42:20–21)
37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me.”(Matthew 26:37–38)
27 “Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this time?’ But I came to this time for this cause. 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came out of the sky, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”(John 12:27–28)
Your Spirit Is Affected By Stress
These bible verses talk about how the Pharaoh's, the king's and Jesus' spirits were troubled. As such, we all have our individual spirits in us and when we are stressed, our spirits are troubled too.
In the morning, his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all of Egypt’s magicians and wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh. (Genesis 41:8)
The king said to them, “I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” (Daniel 2:3)
When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.” (John 13:21)
Your Heart Is Affected By Stress
Jesus said the following bible verse of not letting our hearts be troubled. Your heart is among the most important organs in your body, it is not only vital to the functioning of our bodies and ensuring that we stay alive, but it is also the seat of our emotions. When we feel stressed, our hearts are affected too.
Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.(John 14:1)
Bible Verses About Common Causes Of Stress
These Bible verses talk about the common causes of stress. I will divide them into main two categories: "Within our control" and "Outside of our control".
Sources Of Stress Within Our Control
There are at least 11 sources of stress that lie within our control. Our goal is to manage these factors and thus to reduce our stress.
1. Thoughts
We can definitely control our thoughts, though it may not be easy and it can be very hard at times to control our thoughts. Over here in this bible verse in Daniel 5:6, it also mentioned how when the king Belshaazar saw the finger writing on the wall, his thoughts were so troubled, and that may have the joints of his thighs coming apart and his knees striking each other. We now know that there are psychosomatic symptoms that can be derived from a person's thoughts and stress.
“Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and my face was changed in me; but I kept the matter in my heart.” (Daniel 7:28)
Then the king’s face was changed in him, and his thoughts troubled him; and the joints of his thighs were loosened, and his knees struck one against another. (Daniel 5:6)
2. Doubts About God
Having doubts about God can be a cause of stress, as it may cause internal discomfort and conflict. The following bible verse was said by Jesus when he resurrected from the dead and he appeared to his disciples, he is telling them not to doubt. In this case, the "doubts" are plural, signifying it is possible the disciples were having many different kinds of doubts.
38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” (Luke 24:38–39)
3. Envy Towards Others
The bible verses below is a Psalm of Asaph, he described how he nearly got into trouble because of his envy of the arrogant and wicked people as they seemed to be living a better life. We have to control and confess any envy towards others as that is definitely a source of stress, as it sets ourselves up for comparison with others. Beware the green monster!
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm. 5 They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men. 6 Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment. (Psalm 73:2–6)
4. Anxiety
Anxiety is defined by the Logos Factbook as "an emotional state characterized by tension, worry, nervousness, and fear. Physical symptoms such as elevated blood pressure may also be present". To some extent mild anxiety is usually manageable and within our control. There are many forms of anxiety. The bible verse below talks about sudden fear. When fear is sudden, it is hard to cope right at that moment. It is similar to a panic attack or anxiety attack. Our brain is an organ and it can fall sick as well. Mental health is actually brain health. A diet rich in antioxidants and nutrients your brain needs, exercising, sufficient sleep, coping with stress and maintaining healthy relationships are some ways to maintain optimal brain health. Here are some bible verses about anxiety.
10 Therefore snares are around you. Sudden fear troubles you, (Job 22:10)
5. Worrying About Many Things
What also can cause stress is also being troubled about many things. It is also related to anxiety. In this bible passage below, Jesus was visiting Mary and Martha's house. Instead of spending time to listen and talk to him like Mary, Martha was very busy preparing things to serve Jesus until she felt so stressed that she asked Jesus to tell Mary to go lend her a hand! If that really happened, Jesus would just be sitting there and waiting around to be served. Although Martha has a heart to serve Jesus, and Jesus understands that, he wanted to use this opportunity to teach her that the way she is serving Him is not what he needed. He desire to spend time with them teaching them and if they are too busy to serve him, he will not be able to talk to them. And that was why he was there visiting them in the first place! If you visit a friend's house, do you prefer if a friend will be busy preparing food for you to enjoy or do you prefer your friend just sitting down to talk with you? The example in the bible passage below reminds us Christians that when we serve God, we need to be careful that those serving don't get in the way of us spending quality time with God and for those serving to become a source of stress or obligation instead of joyfulness.
38 As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.” 41 Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41–42)
6. Bitterness
What you feel bitter about can be a source of stress. Is there something you are hoping for but yet it has not happened yet? It can help to bring to your awareness that is a form of stress if you are feeling bitter or down about it. The bible verse below says that when hope is deferred it makes the heart sick. In the bible passage below in 1 Samuel 1:10, Hannah was in bitterness of soul as she was provoked severely by her husband's second wife Peninnah year after year for not having children like Peninnah did. She probably felt the shame, hurt and disappointment year after year. What she did was she prayed to God about it. Is there something you feel ashamed, hurt, disappointed or bitter about? Talk to God about it. God will listen. The other bible verse below in Hebrews 12:15 talks about a root of bitterness springing up to cause trouble and causing people to become unclean by it. In this case, the bible is using an analogy of weeds in a garden that spring up and cause not just problems but also spread poison. What that referred to is a person or people whose heart is turning away from God to serve other idols and that person or people can become a problem if that behavior spreads within the community. That is also a form of stress.
She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to God, weeping bitterly. (1 Samuel 1:10)
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12)
looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and many be defiled by it, (Hebrews 12:15)
18 lest there should be among you man, woman, family, or tribe whose heart turns away today from The Lord our God, to go to serve the gods of those nations; lest there should be among you a root that produces bitter poison; (Deuteronomy 29:18)
7. Comparing With Others
The following bible verse shared a psalm that was written by Asaph. It talked about how Asaph felt about the wicked having a good life, and he was comparing himself to them. He said he was envious of them. He felt that it is unfair for him compared to what he is going through. This has caused him to almost slip and go the wrong way. When he tried to delve deeper into this comparison between those other people and him, it was a form of great stress for him. What helped him in the end was that he turned back to God, sought God and put it in perspective. What is the right perspective to take when we are prone to comparing ourselves with others? Consider not what is happening now but what truly will happen years down the road, which no one knows yet. However if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you can remind yourself of your eternal salvation. What kind of path are you taking right now will determine what kind of end you are heading to. Turning to God and trying to see things from His perspective- that he loves you and he loves those that you are comparing yourself to. Try praying for them if you are feeling envious of them or pray about your feelings to God.
But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm. (Psalm 73:2-4)
11 They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?” 12 Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches. 13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence, 14 For all day long I have been plagued, and punished every morning. 15 If I had said, “I will speak thus”, behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 16 When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me— 17 until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end. (Psalm 73:11–17)
8. Greed
The following bible verse said that greed can bring trouble or stress. Is there any source of stress in your life that may be related to greed? The Logos Factbook defined greed as: "excessive desire to acquire more or possess more (especially more material wealth) than one needs or deserves. There are plenty of examples of people who got into crimes due to greed. Jesus warned us in the following bible verse to keep ourselves away from covetousness. Covetousness is a desire for or longing for something to a fault or detrimentally, especially the property of another person, according to the Logos Factbook. Jesus also further explains that our possessions does not make up our lives. Which means that we should not think that having certain things will make our lives happier or fuller. In fact, the wanting or greed of things that others have can cause us a lot of trouble and stress. By guarding yourself against greed, you are actually freeing yourself up to truly live.
He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live. (Proverbs 15:27)
He said to them, “Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.” (Luke 12:15)
9. Deceit
The bible verse below says that deceitful talk is a source of problem and stress. If you have a situation that requires you to choose between honesty and deceitfulness, please pray for God to give you wisdom for how to say it in a way that is still honest. Even though a deceitful answer can help you get away at that moment, it will create more problems later on for you.
One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble. (Proverbs 17:20)
10. Idolatry
The bible passages below talk about how idolatry can lead to trouble and stress. Idolatry is the worship of anything other than God. Worship is defined as "the activity of showing love and devotion to a deity; also involves the necessary knowledge concerning beliefs and practice to be able to participate in worship" (Logos Factbook). Idolatry in the first passage below is giving gifts to another god. Is there anything beside God that you worship? Sometimes it is not very conscious and you may not be aware of it.
4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who give gifts to another god. Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take their names on my lips. 5 God assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure. (Psalm 16:4–5)
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols. (Acts 17:16)
15 God appeared in the Tent in a pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood over the Tent’s door. 16 God said to Moses, “Behold, you shall sleep with your fathers. This people will rise up and play the prostitute after the strange gods of the land where they go to be among them, and will forsake me and break my covenant which I have made with them. 17 Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall come on them; so that they will say in that day, ‘Haven’t these evils come on us because our God is not among us?’ 18 I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods. (Deuteronomy 31:15–18)
11. Marital Relationships
The bible verse below from the letter of Paul to the church at Corinth informed them about marriage and how although it is not a sin to marry, marriage can bring about stress. Preacher Stephen Tong once said in a sermon: "You cannot choose who you parents are, what kind of house you are born in, Here is a related video about "How to Find the Best Partners". Marriage takes work from both sides. Have you done what is within your control to maintain your marriage?
But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you. (1 Corinthians 7:28)
32 But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 33 but he who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife. 34 There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. (1 Corinthians 7:32–34)
Sources Of Stress Outside Of Our Control
We have just finished the sources of stress within our control as above. The below lists 10 sources of stress that are outside of our control.
1. Allowed by God
The bible talks about hard things, and one of them is the allowance of trouble by God sometimes in our lives. When that happens, it is easy to ask "Why"? Why did God allow these to happen? To you? To others? It can be hard to turn to God during these times. Instead of letting these events turn you away from God, please continue to trust God. Please continue to believe in God's love for you. Even though it may be hard to do so. Here the bible verses show that God is merciful and good, he will help us through those troubles and lift us up again. Your stress and troubles may not be caused as a result of your sin, though God allowed it. You are probably feeling pain thinking about how God allowed it. Just to demonstrate the great extent of God's amazing grace, to help you find hope to trust him again, the bible verse in Nehemiah 9:26-27 talked about God saving the people in the midst of the punishment he brought on them because the people cried out to him, he still heard them! What a merciful God, his mercy is so much greater than the punishment the people deserved.
20 You, who have shown us many and bitter troubles, you will let me live. You will bring us up again from the depths of the earth. 21 Increase my honor and comfort me again. 22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God. I sing praises to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. (Psalm 71:20–22)
26 Nevertheless they were disobedient and rebelled against you, cast your law behind their back, killed your prophets that testified against them to turn them again to you, and they committed awful blasphemies. 27 Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their adversaries, who distressed them. In the time of their trouble, when they cried to you, you heard from heaven; and according to your manifold mercies you gave them saviors who saved them out of the hands of their adversaries. (Nehemiah 9:26-27)
2. Enemies Or People Who Oppress us
The stress in our lives can definitely be caused by other people who hurt us. If you are in a situation where you are hurt by someone and grievously troubled by them, I encourage you to pray to God for his help and read Psalm 55 slowly. The bible verse in Psalm 55:22 encourages us to cast our burden on the Lord and he will sustain us.
8 My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse. (Psalm 102:8)
When the LORD raised up judges for them, then the LORD was with the judge, and saved them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for it grieved the LORD because of their groaning by reason of those who oppressed them and troubled them. (Judges 2:18)
1 Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication. 2 Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan 3 because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they bring suffering on me. In anger they hold a grudge against me. (Psalm 55:1–3)
22 Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved. 23 But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you. (Psalm 55:22-23)
3. Being Betrayed
When someone you trust betrayed you, it is a form of great stress as you will feel all sorts of emotions and you will have all kinds of questions in your mind. The closer your relationship with this person, the greater the hurt will be. In this bible verse below, Jesus was feeling troubled in his spirit as he already know who will betray him before it happened. If this is happening to you, I hope you know that you are not alone in this. Let those emotions out, grieve over the relationship if it can never be the same again and let God heal you. Through this betrayal, you will have learnt some things about this person's character and it can open your eyes to the true state of your relationship. It is then out of your control when that person betrays you. The bible also reminds us in Proverbs 25:9 that even while we are debating a matter with someone and that someone else's confidence may strengthen our arguments, we should not betray that confidence. If we do so, it will definitely bring stress to others and even ourselves.
When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”(John 13:21)
Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another, (Proverbs 25:9)
4. People Leaving Us And Being Isolated
The following bible verses talk about situations when people leave us. When that happens, it can be stressful as we become isolated and we may feel abandoned and helpless. The bible verse below did not say what caused God's wrath that God has taken the person's friends from him and made him an abomination to them. However, the emotions are palpable. Being confined and not being able to escape the confinement makes me think of a prison or during the quarantine period of an infectious illness. The bible verses below are some good examples that we can talk to God about any of our emotions, even those that we do not fully understand, and even those things that we think are from His hand that we do not like, we can also bring it to him!
3 For my soul is full of troubles. My life draws near to Sheol. 4 I am counted among those who go down into the pit. I am like a man who has no help, 5 set apart among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more. They are cut off from your hand. (Psalm 88:4-5)
7 Your wrath lies heavily on me. You have afflicted me with all your waves. 8 You have taken my friends from me. You have made me an abomination to them. I am confined, and I can’t escape. (Psalm 88:8)
5. Family Members
The bible verse below talks about family members who cause trouble to their own. When you have a family member that brings stress onto the family, it can be especially painful as you love them but yet don't know how to help them or stop the problem. This too is quite out of our control. What you can do is only what is within your control.
He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart. (Proverbs 11:29)
6. Demands From People We Love
In this bible verse below, we see Samson being troubled by Delilah who kept urging him to tell her where the secret of his strength laid. When the people we love kept demanding from us things that we do not want to give, it is a form of stress. In this case of Samson, it became a source of stress to his soul to the point of death. In the end he told her the secret of his strength. Delilah who was in cahoots with the Philistines to get money for betraying Samson then told the Philistines his secret and got her money for it. This teaches us that appropriate boundaries with people we love are healthy and those boundaries will actually protect us. If Samson has set some boundaries with Delilah like getting away from her and if he would have continued to refuse to tell her his secret, he would not have such an end.
When she pressed him daily with her words and urged him, his soul was troubled to death.(Judges 16:16)
7. Trouble Caused By Other People
We can feel stressed when we are indirectly affected by others' mistakes and others' problems. The ripple effect of their mistakes landed onto us and it is something that is out of our control. Though we cannot choose who is blood related to us, but we can definitely in some degree or extent be careful about the friends we keep in our lives. If the neighborhood you live in is unsafe for you, it may then be a goal to work towards to get out of the neighborhood as soon as you can.
But as for you, only keep yourselves from what is devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted it, you take of the devoted thing; so you would make the camp of Israel accursed and trouble it. (Joshua 6:18)
The trouble he causes shall return to his own head. His violence shall come down on the crown of his own head. (Psalm 7:16)
7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was very distressed by the lustful life of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man dwelling among them was tormented in his righteous soul from day to day with seeing and hearing lawless deeds), (2 Peter 2:7–8)
8. Loved Ones' Deaths
When someone you lose someone you love to death, you will experience grief. That is one of the greatest psychological stress that can happen to anyone. The bible verses below are some of the bible passages on grief and mourning. Where human words or actions fail to comfort, God is able to comfort the grieving.
Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in distress. My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief. (Psalm 31:9)
9 My eyes are dim from grief. I have called on you daily, O LORD. I have spread out my hands to you. (Psalm 88:9)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
9. Nearing Death
Besides having loved ones dying, being near death ourselves can also be a big form of stress. Thanks be to God, he has already overcome death for us through Jesus Christ who rose up from the dead to give us eternal life. The bible passage below in 1 Corinthians 15:51-56 states the promise of God that death is swallowed up in victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, and that one day our perishable body will become a new kind of body that is indestructible and immortal. If you are nearing death, please spend time meditating on the passage in 1 Corinthians 15 below.
The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow. (Psalm 116:3)
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. 52 For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable body must become imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable body will have become imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)51
10. Persecution Due To Our Faith
Sometimes when believing in Jesus brings us persecution from others in our lives, it is a big form of stress as well that is out of our control. We cannot control how others react to our beliefs, but we can control our part to continue to stand firm and not give up our faith in the midst of the persecution or oppression.
16 These in the same way are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy. 17 They have no root in themselves, but are short-lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble. (Mark 4:16–17)
Money And Stress
The bible also talked about how money and possessions can be related to stress. To learn more about bible verses and money, you can click here. It can be hard to sort out if the monetary stress is within or outside our control as sometimes it depends on the individual's situation. The bible passages below states that when wealth is a blessing from God, it does not come with trouble. It does encourage us to earn money through righteous means. The bible verse in Proverbs 15:16 also says that it is better to have lesser and retain the fear of the LORD then to have so much wealth (that is obtained by ways that are not honoring God) with trouble and stress. If you are interested to get more inspiration and encouragement to do your job well and how to honor God in your work, check out this video by Joseph: "Be So Good They Can't Ignore You".
The LORD's blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. (Proverbs 10:22)
In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble. (Proverbs 15:6)
Better is little, with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble. (Proverbs 15:16)
13 There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm. 14 Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand. (Ecclesiastes 5:13–14)
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.(Ecclesiastes 7:14)
What God Does For Us When We Are Stressed?
Do you feel alone sometimes when you are feeling stressed? Do you wonder where God is when you are stressed? Here are some biblical truths of where God is during these times. May God's words bring you true comfort in what you are going through and may His presence give you strength and peace.
God Hears Your Troubles
When you have no one to talk to or your problem is something that you cannot even talk about, you can talk to God, and He will listen to you. He promised it in the bible. When is the last time you told God about your stress?
17 God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him with your hand. For I will make him a great nation.” (Genesis 21:17–18)
In my distress I called on the LORD, and cried to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry before him came into his ears. (Psalm 18:6)
God Sees Your Troubles
The bible verses below share how God sees your troubles and stress- even though He is invisible to you, He is mighty able to see you and your situation!
19 for he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, the LORD saw the earth, (Psalm 102:19)
14 But you do see trouble and grief. You consider it to take it into your hand. You help the victim and the fatherless. (Psalm 10:14)
God Does Not Despise Your Prayer For Help
Do you wonder if God will think your prayer is too small or mundane for him? The bible truth below says that God does not despise your prayer, no matter what you think of it. This is the God who is worthy of our worship, he is mighty and holy, yet he does not despise us when we pray to him during our darkest and most broken moments.
17 He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer. (Psalm 102:17)
God Can Guide Us How To Walk Through It.
When we seek God's way and ask him what to do, he is able to guide us how to walk through the circumstances.
20 Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teachers won’t be hidden any more, but your eyes will see your teachers; 21 and when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:20–21)
God Can Lift Us Up And Give Us A Clear Mind To Handle The Stress
The bible verse below states that in the day of trouble, God is able to protect us and keep our head lifted up. When we are lifted up on a rock, we can get a bird's view of the surrounding, and that will help us to see what is going on. God is able to give us his insight to the situation. He can also give us a clear mind to manage the problems.
5 For in the day of trouble, he will keep me secretly in his pavilion. In the secret place of his tabernacle, he will hide me. He will lift me up on a rock. 6 Now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me. I will offer sacrifices of joy in his tent. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to The LORD. (Psalm 27:5–6)
15 For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15)
7 For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. (1 Timothy 1:7)
But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. (1 Peter 4:7)
God Can Deliver Us
In Psalm 107, the bible verses talked about how the Israelites repeatedly disobeyed God, but each time when they turned back to God in their distress, God listened to their prayer and delivered them.
Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships that had come on them on the way, and how the LORD delivered them. (Exodus 18:8)
But you have today rejected your God, who himself saves you out of all your calamities and your distresses; and you have said to him, ‘No! Set a king over us!’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your thousands.” (1 Samuel 10:19)
The king vowed and said, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity, (1 Kings 1:29)
1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble. May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high, 2 send you help from the sanctuary, grant you support from Zion, 3 remember all your offerings, and accept your burned sacrifice. Selah. (Psalm 20:1–3)
God, redeem Israel out of all his troubles. (Psalm 25:22)
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.(Psalm 34:6)
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.(Psalm 34:19)
For he has delivered me out of all trouble. My eye has seen triumph over my enemies.(Psalm 54:7)
You called in trouble, and I delivered you. I answered you in the secret place of thunder. I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah. (Psalm 81:7)
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him. 16 I will satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:15–16)
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. (Psalm 107:6)
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. (Psalm 107:13)
Then they cry to the LORD in their trouble, and he saves them out of their distresses.(Psalm 107:19)
Then they cry to the LORD in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distress.(Psalm 107:28)
then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, (2 Peter 2:9)
God Can Give Us Rest
We can seek the rest that comes from God and the peace that only Jesus can give.
that you may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked. (Psalm 94:13)
It will happen in the day that the LORD will give you rest from your sorrow, from your trouble, and from the hard service in which you were made to serve, (Isaiah 14:3)
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. (John 14:27)
God Can Help Us Forget Our Troubles
The following bible verse shares that God is able to help us forget our troubles.
Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, “For”, he said, “God has made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.” (Genesis 41:51)
What Should We Do When We Are Stressed?
Here are some biblical teachings of what we can do when we are stressed. The below are some summary of what we can do during our times of stress from bible verses.
1. Cry To God About It Or Talk To Him About It
Firstly we can turn to God to tell him all about it! He is there to listen to our feelings.
3 But to you, O LORD, I have cried. In the morning, my prayer comes before you. (Psalm 88:3–13)
In my distress, I cried to the LORD. He answered me. (Psalm 120:1)
Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” (Psalm 50:15)
7 In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me. 8 There is no one like you among the gods, Lord, nor any deeds like your deeds. (Psalm 86:7–8)
Out of my distress, I called on the LORD. The LORD answered me with freedom. (Psalm 118:5)
2 I pour out my complaint before him. I tell him my troubles. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, you knew my route. On the path in which I walk, they have hidden a snare for me. (Psalm 142:2–3)
2. Find Comfort In God's Words In The Bible
Secondly, the following bible verses encourage us to seek comfort God's words. Spend time meditating on his word during this time.
This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me. (Psalm 119:50)
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight. 144 Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live. (Psalm 119:143–144)
3. Turn To God For Protection
If you are feeling afraid, you can turn to God and ask him to deliver you or to protect you from harm.
12 When he was in distress, he begged the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 He prayed to him; and he was entreated by him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God. (2 Chronicles 33:12–13)
2 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am faint. O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. 3 My soul is also in great anguish. But you, LORD—how long? 4 Return, O LORD. Deliver my soul, and save me for your loving kindness’ sake. 5 For in death there is no memory of you. In Sheol, who shall give you thanks? (Psalm 6:2–5)
39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. 40 The LORD helps them and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked and saves them, because they have taken refuge in him. (Psalm 37:39–40)
4 But when in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them. (2 Chronicles 15:4)
1 Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Give me relief from my distress. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. (Psalm 4:1)
2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. My hand was stretched out in the night, and didn’t get tired. My soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remember God, and I groan. I complain, and my spirit is overwhelmed. Selah. (Psalm 77:2–3)
4. Trust God To Be Your Refuge
After you pray to him, you can continue to trust him with what you have asked of Him. Read more about how to trust God here.
9 The LORD will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:9–10)
7 Though I walk in the middle of trouble, you will revive me. You will stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies. Your right hand will save me. (Psalm 138:7)
3 Therefore a strong people will glorify you. A city of awesome nations will fear you. 4 For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the dreaded ones is like a storm against the wall. (Isaiah 25:3–4)
5. Ask God For Strength
This bible verse also encourage us to ask God to give us strength to go through the stress.
The LORD said, “Most certainly I will strengthen you for good. Most certainly I will cause the enemy to make supplication to you in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.(Jeremiah 15:11)
6. Have Faith In God
In times of stress and pain, the following bible verses encourage us to keep our faith in God, and keep God sanctified in our hearts.
6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you. 7 For this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith. (1 Thessalonians 3:6–7)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear, 16 having a good conscience. Thus, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ.(1 Peter 3:14–16)
7. Remind Ourselves Of Our Salvation Through Jesus Christ
Besides thinking about God, the following bible verses also help us to remind us to think of our salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus has already overcome the world and we can take heart in that.
But I am in pain and distress. Let your salvation, God, protect me. (Psalm 69:29)
Oh LORD, be gracious to us. We have waited for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble. (Isaiah 33:2)
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5)
I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
8. Do The Right Thing Even When You Are Stressed
When we are stressed, it is easy to give up doing the right thing. However the following bible verses assures that we can be blessed when we keep doing what is right even in those difficult times.
No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil. (Proverbs 12:21)
A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place. (Proverbs 11:8)
An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble. (Proverbs 12:13)
18 When they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews; 20 how I didn’t shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus. (Acts 20:18–21)
9. Delegate Your Work If You Need To
Moses told the all Israelites that he alone is not able to handle all of their problems, as there are so many of them. Here comes the bible verse about the importance of delegation and preventing burning out. Moses' father-in-law recommended him to choose leaders among the people to assist him in his work for the people. We can delegate our work to people instead of doing it all ourselves when it becomes too much. We also need to be aware of when it becomes too much for us to handle.
13 On the next day, Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from the morning to the evening. 14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, “What is this thing that you do for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning to evening?” 15 Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.” 17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18 You will surely wear away, both you, and this people that is with you; for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to perform it yourself alone. (Exodus 18:13-18)
12 How can I myself alone bear your problems, your burdens, and your strife? 13 Take wise men of understanding who are respected among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.” 14 You answered me, and said, “The thing which you have spoken is good to do.” 15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and respected men, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, captains of fifties, captains of tens, and officers, according to your tribes. (Deuteronomy 1:12–15)
10. Help Others
The following bible verses talk about helping others even as we undergo difficulties ourselves. When we have gone through some stress in our lives, we are better equipped to help others who are also in stressful situations to comfort them through it. The Corinthians in the bible passage below gave generously even though they were suffering severely.
10 and if you pour out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will rise in darkness, and your obscurity will be as the noonday; 11 and the LORD will guide you continually, satisfy your soul in dry places, and make your bones strong. You will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters don’t fail. (Isaiah 58:10–11)
4 who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:4–5)
how in a severe ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity. (2 Corinthians 8:2)
11. Maintain Our Relationships With Our Friends And Family
The importance of our relationships with our family and friends are not just there for companionship and love, but also for difficult times. When you have people who keep loving you and helping you while you are undergoing difficulties in your life, it makes the journey a lot easier.
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)
12. Remain Joyful
The bible verses below encourage us to remain joyful even when we are stressed. What can we rejoice in? The bible verse below show that we can rejoice and be glad in God's loving kindness to us and rejoicing that he has already seen our situation and that he knows our souls.
how in a severe ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity. (2 Corinthians 8:2)
I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities. (Psalm 31:7)
13. Be Merciful To Others
It can be tempting to retaliate when others hurt us, however the bible verse below teaches us to be merciful, as that is also good for our own soul.
The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.(Proverbs 11:17)
14. Be Strong And Keep Working
In times of stress, the following bible verses encourage us to keep going and to stay strong.
10 If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small. (Proverbs 24:10)
7 But you be strong! Don’t let your hands be slack, for your work will be rewarded.” (2 Chronicles 15:7)
15. Endure, Pray And Hope
The bible verse below encourage us that when we are stressed, we should endure the troubles, keep rejoicing and continue to pray regularly to God.
12 rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer, (Romans 12:12)
How Jesus Helps Us When We Are Stressed
Jesus has taken on all of our sins and the punishment that we deserve from God onto himself. The bible verse below described how He brought us peace through the punishment he took in our place and how we are healed by his wounds that he suffered for us.
4 Surely he has borne our sickness and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4–5)
The following are other bible passages that show us how Jesus wants us to have peace in him, and to keep trusting him in times of stress. Jesus wants us to know of His love for us and that nothing can separate us from his love for us. We can see stress and troubles as opportunities to practice endurance, to lean closer to God, and to learn how to rejoice in God through them.
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. (John 14:1)
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. (John 14:27)
I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
1 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; 2 through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:1–5)
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Even as it is written, “For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:35–37)
For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory, (2 Corinthians 4:17)
but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God: in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, (2 Corinthians 6:4)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, (James 1:2)
Blessed is a person who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved in various trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ— 8 whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory, 9 receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:6–9)
In the end, if we hold on to Jesus and our faith, when this life is through, there is actually an eternal life with God. The bible verses below talk about the glory that we will partake with Jesus in future and how we will be exceedingly joyful when we see his glory. The bible verses below also share about God's ultimate plan to remove pain from all of us.
12 Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. 13 But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:12–13)
Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:10)
Even though this current life brings stress and suffering, we can have hope and rejoice in God because one day:
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more. The first things have passed away.”(Revelation 21:4)
A Prayer For When You Are Feeling Stressed
You may use this prayer as a guide and pray with it to God when you are feeling stressed:
Bible version: the public domain World English Bible (WEB) has been used throughout this post. The WEB translation of "Yahweh" has been changed to "the LORD" which is more familiar to most readers.