23+ Bible Verses About Nervousness (With Commentary)
Do you ever find yourself feeling anxious or nervous? Whether it’s before a big event, an important decision, or just in general, we all experience feelings of nervousness at some point in our lives.
But did you know that the Bible has a lot to say about this common emotion? That’s right, there are many verses in the Bible that offer encouragement, comfort, and guidance for dealing with nervousness.
Today, we will explore some of those verses and see how they can help us cope with our anxious thoughts and feelings. So, grab your Bible and let’s dive in!
Bible Verses About Nervousness
Casting Our Anxiety on God
Throughout our lives, we encounter numerous situations that cause us to become nervous – an impending exam, a crucial job interview, a confrontational conversation – to name a few.
The Bible guides us how to handle such moments; we do not have to depend on our own strength or understanding. Instead, God invites us to cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us.
This action is a powerful antidote to nervousness as it involves surrendering our worries to a higher power who is infinitely capable of handling them. It embodies trust in God’s wisdom and sovereignty over every situation.
Surrendering our anxieties to God does not eliminate nervous situations but it changes our reaction towards them. It provides us with a calming reassurance that, no matter what happens, God is in control and He is working for our good. It helps us face our nervous incidents with grace, patience and trust. It anchors us when the waves of anxiety threaten to knock us down.
God does not want us to carry the heavy burden of fear and worry. His love for us is so vast that He desires to carry these burdens Himself. By casting our anxiety on God, we cast ourselves into His loving, comforting arms and find the peace that surpasses all understanding.
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
In this verse, Peter encourages believers not only to give God their worries, but to throw them onto Him. It implies an action driven by the certain knowledge that God deeply cares for us and is willing and able to handle our worries.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
This verse reminds us that our understanding is limited and often clouded by fear and nervousness. By trusting in God and acknowledging Him in all our ways, He promises to guide us.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Paul instructs us here to replace our nervousness with prayer and gratitude, assuring us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds against all fear and anxiety.
Matthew 6:27
“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
This rhetorical question from Jesus reminds us of the futility of worry. It does us more harm than good, thus underscoring the need to rely on God instead.
Psalm 55:22
“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
The Psalmist encourages us to cast our burdens upon the Lord, promising that He will sustain us and keep us firm in the face of adversity.
Psalm 61:2
“From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
When we feel overwhelmed and nervousness consumes us, we can cry out to God, who is always near. He can guide us to a place of security and stability, a “rock” that is higher than ourselves.
Finding Peace and Calm in God’s Presence
At times, nerve-wracking situations can leave us feeling overwhelmed, causing our minds to race, our hearts to pound, and our bodies to tremble. During such times, the Bible encourages us to seek refuge and peace in God’s presence.
God’s presence is synonymous with peace – a peace that surpasses human understanding. Whenever we are in God’s presence, we are in the place of ultimate safety and tranquility. God’s presence brings serenity and calms our troubled minds.
God does not promise us a life devoid of nervous situations, but He does assure us of His constant presence with us. He is ever-present, especially in our times of need. His presence is our safe haven – His ‘ever-present help in trouble’ (Psalm 46:1). It’s in His presence where our fears dissolve and our faith soars.
The Bible verses in this section remind us of God’s unwavering commitment to be with us in every circumstance. They assure us that despite the turbulence of our worries and fears, we can find unruffled peace, quietness and confidence in His presence.
Exodus 33:14
“And He said, ‘My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.’”
This divine assurance came to Moses at a time of great responsibility and challenge. It reassures us that God’s presence brings rest and calm to our nervy moments.
Psalm 16:8
“I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
David explains that by focusing on God, he finds stability and calm that keeps him from being shaken by nervousness.
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
This verse reminds us that no matter what troubles we face, we can always find refuge, strength and calm in God.
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
David affirms that even in the most nerve-wracking moments, God’s presence comforts and calms him, removing fear.
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Isaiah highlights how trust in God results in ‘perfect peace’, keeping us calm and stable in nervous situations.
Strength in Weakness
As followers of Christ, we are reminded that it’s okay to admit when we’re weak or nervous, because where we are weak, God is strong. It’s natural for humans to experience anxiety, fear, and worry in various situations.
Yet, we can rest in the knowledge that we’re not alone in our struggles. Those feelings don’t make us less of a believer; in fact, they provide an opportunity for us to experience God’s strength and grace in our lives.
We can take comfort in knowing that our gracious God generously provides strength to us in our moments of weakness. He assures us in His Word that His grace is sufficient for us, for His power is perfected in weakness. So instead of being anxious when struggling through stages of nervousness, we should see them as opportunities for God’s power to be manifested in us.
By acknowledging our own inadequacies and trusting in God’s strength, our weakest moments become our defining moments. The touch of God’s grace during our direst situations implants in us a deep-rooted conviction that indeed we can rise above our fears and anxieties because our God is greater than them all. Let’s ponder on the following Bible verses that reflect this truth:
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
In this verse, Paul shares that God’s power is most effective when we’re in our weakest state. God’s strength is displayed in our weaknesses, giving us hope and courage to overcome our nervousness.
Isaiah 40:29-31
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
This passage from Isaiah assures us that God provides strength to the weary and power to the weak. By placing our hope in the Lord, our strength is renewed, enabling us to overcome our fears and anxieties.
Psalm 28:7
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
In this psalm, David professes that God is his strength and shield. Even in the face of anxiety, he experiences joy and responds with praise, exhibiting trust in God’s protective power.
1 Corinthians 16:13
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
This verse encourages all believers to stand firm in faith, be brave, and maintain strength, even in nervous times. It’s a clear reminder of our call to exhibit courage through God’s power.
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
God’s reassuring words to Joshua continue to be an encouragement to us today. Regardless of the situations that cause fear or nervousness, we’re reminded of God’s enduring presence and his promise never to leave or abandon us.
Psalm 121:1-2
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
When nervousness creeps in, we can lift our eyes to God, the ultimate source of help and strength. He created the heavens and the earth and is more than capable of carrying us through our anxious moments.
Freedom from Fear
The Bible is filled with reassurances from God that we need not be confined by fear. Even when we encounter situations that stir nervousness and panic within us, we can stand with faith knowing that we have a God who repeatedly tells us not to be afraid.
His perfect love drives out our deepest fears, setting us free from the shackles of anxiety and despair. In His abundant love, we’re able to bathe in His amazing grace that enables us to overcome each nerve-wracking circumstance.
God’s will for us is to live fearlessly – standing firm in His love, enveloped by His peace, and emboldened by His Spirit. The reassurances that He provides in the scriptures aren’t mere suggestions, they’re commandments – commandments that are backed by His mighty and faithful character. Let’s dwell on these key Bible verses that assure us of God’s perfect love and power that set us free from fear:
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Here, Isaiah conveys God’s promise to strengthen and assist us, urging us not to fear or be troubled because God’s supportive hand upholds us.
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
God commands Joshua to be strong and brave, assuring him of His constant presence and the same assurance extends to us today.
Psalm 91:4-5
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.”
This Psalm gives a comforting picture of God’s protective love that shelters us, enabling us to live without fear.
Romans 8:15
“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Paul assures us that as children of God, we’re not enslaved to fear but are recipients of the Holy Spirit who prompts us to cry out to God as our loving Father.
1 John 4:18
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
John explains that God’s perfect love expels fear, reminding us that as God’s beloved, we can live without fear because of God’s love that permeates our lives.
Victory Over Fear Through Christ
The nervousness we encounter isn’t meant to debilitate us, but rather, through Christ, it’s meant to remind us of our victory. Believers have an eternal hope in Jesus Christ, who won the victory over fear, sin, and death.
When Jesus took our sins upon Himself at the cross, He wasn’t only providing a way for our salvation, but He was also putting an end to the destructive power of sin in our lives, including the sin of fear.
Even when anxiety tries to hold us captive, we can declare Jesus’s victory over it. It’s not our fight to win; it’s ours to claim. Our faith in Jesus not only grants us eternal life but also gives us the victory over fear and worry right now. By focusing on what Jesus has accomplished on the cross, we can view our nervousness from a perspective of victory.
The following Bible verses highlight our victory over fear through Christ. They remind us to live our lives in light of this victory, exercising our God-given authority over anxiety, worry, and fear.
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Jesus forewarns us about the inevitable problems we’ll encounter, including periods of nervousness, but He also assures us of His victory over the world which brings us peace.
Romans 8:37
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Paul declares that through God’s love, we are more than conquerors in all situations, including moments of fear and nervousness.
1 Corinthians 15:57
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul acknowledges that the victory belongs to us through Jesus Christ. Through Him, we can live victoriously, even in the face of nervousness.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline.”
Paul reminds Timothy, and us, that God has endowed us with a spirit of power, love and self-control as opposed to a spirit of fear.
1 John 5:4
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
John reminds believers that their faith in Christ equips them with the power to overcome the world, including all fears and nervousness.
Final Thoughts: What Does the Bible Say About Nervousness?
The Bible addresses the concept of anxiety and nervousness in several passages, offering guidance and reassurance to those facing such feelings.
A recurring theme is the call for trust in God, casting one’s anxieties upon Him. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us not to be anxious but to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, promising a peace that surpasses understanding.
Similarly, Matthew 6:34 advises not to worry about tomorrow, for each day has its own troubles.
The Bible often emphasizes the idea that God is a source of strength and refuge in times of fear or anxiety. Psalm 56:3-4, for instance, expresses confidence in God’s ability to dispel fear. Proverbs 12:25 suggests that anxiety can weigh down the heart, while a kind word can bring joy.
Ultimately, the biblical message encourages us to find solace in our relationship with God, trusting in His sovereignty and seeking His guidance in times of nervousness.
