Topical study
Anxiety and Worries
Anxiety can narrow our vision until a feared future seems more real than the present. Scripture does not shame the troubled heart: it invites us to breathe, seek help, entrust what we cannot control to GOD, and take the next faithful step.
PauseReturn to the present moment before fear turns a possibility into a certainty.
EntrustBring needs to GOD honestly through prayer, remembrance, and thanksgiving.
ActAccept appropriate human help and attend responsibly to what can be done today.
Anxiety is something nearly everyone experiences, although in very different degrees. There is no shame in feeling restless, overwhelmed, or afraid of what the future may hold. Such feelings are not proof of weak faith. They can become an invitation to understand ourselves more truthfully, deepen our relationship with GOD, and seek the support we need.
Faith and the Holy Scriptures can offer language for fear, restore perspective, and nourish hope. Their strength is not found in hurried reading or in using a verse to silence emotion. It is found in patient meditation: reading slowly, understanding the words in context, praying honestly, and allowing truth to shape one decision at a time.
“When anxiety was great within me, Your consolations brought joy to my soul.” — Psalm 94:19
Prayer, silence, breathing practices, exercise, trusted relationships, pastoral care, psychotherapy, and medical treatment need not compete with one another. Wisdom often works through several forms of help. Faith can sustain the person who seeks treatment just as it sustains the person who offers care.
When worries become overwhelming, pause and breathe slowly. Read one passage rather than many. Notice what it says about GOD, what it says about the present moment, and what concrete action remains possible today. The Father of the living does not abandon His children—not even those who do not yet know how to name Him.
Hebrew Scriptures
Psalm 23:1–4
| Reference | Original Hebrew | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psalm 23:1 | מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִ֑ד יְהֹוָ֥ה רֹ֝עִ֗י לֹ֣א אֶחְסָֽר׃ | mzmvr ldvd yhvh rʿy lʾ ʾḥsr׃ | The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not lack. | The LORD shepherds me; I will not be lacking. |
| Psalm 23:2 | בִּנְא֣וֹת דֶּ֭שֶׁא יַרְבִּיצֵ֑נִי עַל־מֵ֖י מְנֻח֣וֹת יְנַהֲלֵֽנִי׃ | vnʾvt dshʾ yrvytzny ʿl־my mnḥvt ynhlny׃ | He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. | In pastures of grass He causes me to lie down; beside waters of rest He leads me. |
| Psalm 23:3 | נַפְשִׁ֥י יְשׁוֹבֵ֑ב יַֽנְחֵ֥נִי בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶ֝֗דֶק לְמַ֣עַן שְׁמֽוֹ׃ | nfshy yshvvv ynḥny vmʿgly־tzdq lmʿn shmv׃ | He restores my soul; He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. | He brings back my life; He leads me in tracks of justice for the sake of His Name. |
| Psalm 23:4 | גַּ֤ם כִּֽי־אֵלֵ֨ךְ בְּגֵ֪יא צַלְמָ֡וֶת לֹא־אִ֘ירָ֤א רָ֗ע כִּי־אַתָּ֥ה עִמָּדִ֑י שִׁבְטְךָ֥ וּ֝מִשְׁעַנְתֶּ֗ךָ הֵ֣מָּה יְנַֽחֲמֻֽנִי׃ | gm khy־ʾlkh vgyʾ tzlmvt lʾ־ʾyrʾ rʿ khy־ʾth ʿmdy shvṭkh vmshʿntkh hmh ynḥmny׃ | Even though I walk through the valley of deepest darkness, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and staff comfort me. | Even when I walk in a valley of death-shadow, I do not fear evil, because You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me. |
Psalm 37:1–9
| Reference | Original Hebrew | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psalm 37:1 | לְדָוִ֨ד ׀ אַל־תִּתְחַ֥ר בַּמְּרֵעִ֑ים אַל־תְּ֝קַנֵּ֗א בְּעֹשֵׂ֥י עַוְלָֽה׃ | ldvd ׀ ʾl־ttḥr vmrʿym ʾl־tqnʾ vʿshy ʿvlh׃ | Do not fret because of evildoers or envy those who do wrong. | Do not burn with anger at evildoers; do not be jealous of those who practice injustice. |
| Psalm 37:2 | כִּ֣י כֶ֭חָצִיר מְהֵרָ֣ה יִמָּ֑לוּ וּכְיֶ֥רֶק דֶּ֝֗שֶׁא יִבּוֹלֽוּן׃ | khy khḥtzyr mhrh ymlv vkhyrq dshʾ yvvlvn׃ | They will soon wither like grass and fade like green plants. | For like grass they will quickly be cut down, and like green vegetation they will fade. |
| Psalm 37:3 | בְּטַ֣ח בַּ֭יהֹוָה וַעֲשֵׂה־ט֑וֹב שְׁכׇן־אֶ֝֗רֶץ וּרְעֵ֥ה אֱמוּנָֽה׃ | vṭḥ vyhvh vʿshh־ṭvv shkhn־ʾrtz vrʿh ʾmvnh׃ | Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. | Rely upon the LORD and do good; inhabit the land and feed on faithfulness. |
| Psalm 37:4 | וְהִתְעַנַּ֥ג עַל־יְהֹוָ֑ה וְיִֽתֶּן־לְ֝ךָ֗ מִשְׁאֲלֹ֥ת לִבֶּֽךָ׃ | vhtʿng ʿl־yhvh vytn־lkh mshʾlt lvkh׃ | Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. | Take exquisite delight in the LORD, and He will grant the requests of your heart. |
| Psalm 37:5 | גּ֣וֹל עַל־יְהֹוָ֣ה דַּרְכֶּ֑ךָ וּבְטַ֥ח עָ֝לָ֗יו וְה֣וּא יַעֲשֶֽׂה׃ | gvl ʿl־yhvh drkhkh vvṭḥ ʿlyv vhvʾ yʿshh׃ | Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act. | Roll your way upon the LORD; rely upon Him, and He will accomplish it. |
| Psalm 37:6 | וְהוֹצִ֣יא כָא֣וֹר צִדְקֶ֑ךָ וּ֝מִשְׁפָּטֶ֗ךָ כַּֽצׇּהֳרָֽיִם׃ | vhvtzyʾ khʾvr tzdqkh vmshfṭkh khtzhrym׃ | He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn and your justice like the noonday. | He will bring out your righteousness like the light, and your judgment like midday. |
| Psalm 37:7 | דּ֤וֹם ׀ לַיהֹוָה֮ וְהִתְח֢וֹלֵֽ֫ל ל֥וֹ אַל־תִּ֭תְחַר בְּמַצְלִ֣יחַ דַּרְכּ֑וֹ בְּ֝אִ֗ישׁ עֹשֶׂ֥ה מְזִמּֽוֹת׃ | dvm ׀ lyhvh vhtḥvll lv ʾl־ttḥr vmtzlyḥ drkhv vʾysh ʿshh mzmvt׃ | Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret over those who prosper through evil schemes. | Be silent toward the LORD and wait longingly for Him; do not burn at one prospering in his way, at a man carrying out plots. |
| Psalm 37:8 | הֶ֣רֶף מֵ֭אַף וַעֲזֹ֣ב חֵמָ֑ה אַל־תִּ֝תְחַ֗ר אַךְ־לְהָרֵֽעַ׃ | hrf mʾf vʿzv ḥmh ʾl־ttḥr ʾkh־lhrʿ׃ | Refrain from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. | Let go of anger and abandon fury; do not burn, for it tends only toward doing evil. |
| Psalm 37:9 | כִּֽי־מְ֭רֵעִים יִכָּרֵת֑וּן וְקֹוֵ֥י יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה הֵ֣מָּה יִֽירְשׁוּ־אָֽרֶץ׃ | khy־mrʿym ykhrtvn vqvy yhvh hmh yyrshv־ʾrtz׃ | Evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. | Those doing evil will be cut off, but those waiting for the LORD will possess the land. |
Psalm 46:1–2
| Reference | Original Hebrew | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psalm 46:1 | לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ לִבְנֵי־קֹ֑רַח עַֽל־עֲלָמ֥וֹת שִֽׁיר׃ | lmntzḥ lvny־qrḥ ʿl־ʿlmvt shyr׃ | GOD is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. | GOD is for us shelter and strength, a help found exceedingly in distresses. |
| Psalm 46:2 | אֱלֹהִ֣ים לָ֭נוּ מַחֲסֶ֣ה וָעֹ֑ז עֶזְרָ֥ה בְ֝צָר֗וֹת נִמְצָ֥א מְאֹֽד׃ | ʾlhym lnv mḥsh vʿz ʿzrh vtzrvt nmtzʾ mʾd׃ | Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. | Therefore we shall not fear when the earth changes and when mountains totter into the heart of seas. |
Psalm 55:22
| Reference | Original Hebrew | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psalm 55:22 | הַשְׁלֵךְ עַל־יְהוָה יְהָבְךָ וְהוּא יְכַלְכְּלֶךָ לֹא־יִתֵּן לְעוֹלָם מוֹט לַצַּדִּיק | Hashlekh ʿal-Adonai yehavkha, ve-hu yekhalkelkha; lo-yitten le-ʿolam mot la-tzaddiq. | Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. | Throw upon the LORD what has been laid upon you, and He will support you; He will not forever give shaking to the righteous. |
Psalm 94:19
| Reference | Original Hebrew | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psalm 94:19 | בְּרֹב שַׂרְעַפַּי בְּקִרְבִּי תַּנְחוּמֶיךָ יְשַׁעַשְׁעוּ נַפְשִׁי | Be-rov sarʿappai be-qirbi, tanḥumekha yeshaʿasheʿu nafshi. | When anxiety was great within me, Your consolations brought joy to my soul. | In the multitude of my disquieting thoughts within me, Your comforts delight my soul. |
Proverbs 3:1–8
| Reference | Original Hebrew | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proverbs 3:1 | בְּ֭נִי תּוֹרָתִ֣י אַל־תִּשְׁכָּ֑ח וּ֝מִצְוֺתַ֗י יִצֹּ֥ר לִבֶּֽךָ׃ | vny tvrty ʾl־tshkhḥ vmtzvty ytzr lvkh׃ | My child, do not forget my teaching; let your heart keep my commandments. | My son, do not forget my instruction, and let your heart guard my commands. |
| Proverbs 3:2 | כִּ֤י אֹ֣רֶךְ יָ֭מִים וּשְׁנ֣וֹת חַיִּ֑ים וְ֝שָׁל֗וֹם יוֹסִ֥יפוּ לָֽךְ׃ | khy ʾrkh ymym vshnvt ḥyym vshlvm yvsyfv lkh׃ | They will add length of days, years of life, and peace to you. | For length of days, years of life, and well-being they will add to you. |
| Proverbs 3:3 | חֶ֥סֶד וֶאֱמֶ֗ת אַֽל־יַ֫עַזְבֻ֥ךָ קׇשְׁרֵ֥ם עַל־גַּרְגְּרוֹתֶ֑יךָ כׇּ֝תְבֵ֗ם עַל־ל֥וּחַ לִבֶּֽךָ׃ | ḥsd vʾmt ʾl־yʿzvkh qshrm ʿl־grgrvtykh khtvm ʿl־lvḥ lvkh׃ | Let kindness and truth never leave you; bind them around your neck and write them on your heart. | Let loyal love and truth not forsake you; tie them upon your neck and write them upon the tablet of your heart. |
| Proverbs 3:4 | וּמְצָא־חֵ֥ן וְשֵֽׂכֶל־ט֑וֹב בְּעֵינֵ֖י אֱלֹהִ֣ים וְאָדָֽם׃ | vmtzʾ־ḥn vshkhl־ṭvv vʿyny ʾlhym vʾdm׃ | Then you will find favor and good understanding before GOD and people. | Find favor and good insight in the eyes of GOD and humankind. |
| Proverbs 3:5 | בְּטַ֣ח אֶל־יְ֭הֹוָה בְּכׇל־לִבֶּ֑ךָ וְאֶל־בִּ֥֝ינָתְךָ֗ אַל־תִּשָּׁעֵֽן׃ | vṭḥ ʾl־yhvh vkhl־lvkh vʾl־vyntkh ʾl־tshʿn׃ | Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. | Rely upon the LORD with all your heart, and do not support yourself upon your understanding. |
| Proverbs 3:6 | בְּכׇל־דְּרָכֶ֥יךָ דָעֵ֑הוּ וְ֝ה֗וּא יְיַשֵּׁ֥ר אֹֽרְחֹתֶֽיךָ׃ | vkhl־drkhykh dʿhv vhvʾ yyshr ʾrḥtykh׃ | Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight. | In all your roads know Him, and He will straighten your paths. |
| Proverbs 3:7 | אַל־תְּהִ֣י חָכָ֣ם בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ יְרָ֥א אֶת־יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה וְס֣וּר מֵרָֽע׃ | ʾl־thy ḥkhm vʿynykh yrʾ ʾt־yhvh vsvr mrʿ׃ | Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. | Do not become wise in your own eyes; revere the LORD and depart from evil. |
| Proverbs 3:8 | רִ֭פְאוּת תְּהִ֣י לְשׇׁרֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝שִׁקּ֗וּי לְעַצְמוֹתֶֽיךָ׃ | rfʾvt thy lshrkh vshqvy lʿtzmvtykh׃ | This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. | It will be healing to your navel and drink for your bones. |
Proverbs 16:3
| Reference | Original Hebrew | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proverbs 16:3 | גֹּל אֶל־יְהוָה מַעֲשֶׂיךָ וְיִכֹּנוּ מַחְשְׁבֹתֶיךָ | Gol el-Adonai maʿasekha, ve-yikkonu maḥshevotekha. | Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established. | Roll your deeds toward the LORD, and your thoughts will be made firm. |
Isaiah 35:4
| Reference | Original Hebrew | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 35:4 | אִמְרוּ לְנִמְהֲרֵי־לֵב חִזְקוּ אַל־תִּירָאוּ הִנֵּה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם נָקָם יָבוֹא גְּמוּל אֱלֹהִים הוּא יָבוֹא וְיֹשַׁעֲכֶם׃ | Imru le-nimharei-lev: ḥizqu, al-tiraʾu; hinneh Eloheikhem, naqam yavo, gemul Elohim; hu yavo ve-yoshaʿakhem. | Say to those with anxious hearts: ‘Be strong; do not fear. Behold, your GOD will come with justice and recompense; He will come and save you.’ | Say to the hurried of heart: ‘Be strong; do not fear. Behold your GOD; He will come and save you.’ |
Isaiah 41:10
| Reference | Original Hebrew | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 41:10 | אַל־תִּירָא כִּי עִמְּךָ־אָנִי אַל־תִּשְׁתָּע כִּי־אֲנִי אֱלֹהֶיךָ אִמַּצְתִּיךָ אַף־עֲזַרְתִּיךָ | Al-tira ki immekha-Ani; al-tishtaʿ ki-Ani Elohekha. Immatztikha, af-ʿazartikha. | 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. | Do not fear, because I am with you; do not gaze about anxiously, because I am your GOD. I have strengthened you; indeed, I have helped you. |
Christian Scriptures
Matthew 6:25–34
| Reference | Original Greek | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew 6:25 | Διὰ τοῦτο λέγω ὑμῖν· μὴ μεριμνᾶτε τῇ ψυχῇ ὑμῶν τί ⸀φάγητε, μηδὲ τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν τί ἐνδύσησθε· οὐχὶ ἡ ψυχὴ πλεῖόν ἐστι τῆς τροφῆς καὶ τὸ σῶμα τοῦ ἐνδύματος; | dia toyto legō ymin· mē merimnate tē psychē ymōn ti ⸀phagēte, mēde tō sōmati ymōn ti endysēsthe· oychi ē psychē pleion esti tēs trophēs kai to sōma toy endymatos; | Therefore I tell you: do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or drink, nor about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? | Because of this I say to you: do not be divided by care for your life—what you might eat or drink—or your body—what you might put on. Is not the life more than nourishment and the body than clothing? |
| Matthew 6:26 | ἐμβλέψατε εἰς τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ὅτι οὐ σπείρουσιν οὐδὲ θερίζουσιν οὐδὲ συνάγουσιν εἰς ἀποθήκας, καὶ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος τρέφει αὐτά· οὐχ ὑμεῖς μᾶλλον διαφέρετε αὐτῶν; | emblepsate eis ta peteina toy oyranoy oti oy speiroysin oyde therizoysin oyde synagoysin eis apothēkas, kai o patēr ymōn o oyranios trephei ayta· oych ymeis mallon diapherete aytōn; | Look at the birds of the sky: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly FATHER feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? | Look intently at the birds of heaven: they do not sow, reap, or gather into storehouses, and your heavenly FATHER nourishes them. Do you not differ from them by much? |
| Matthew 6:27 | τίς δὲ ἐξ ὑμῶν μεριμνῶν δύναται προσθεῖναι ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλικίαν αὐτοῦ πῆχυν ἕνα; | tis de ex ymōn merimnōn dynatai prostheinai epi tēn ēlikian aytoy pēchyn ena; | Can any of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your life? | Who among you, while being anxious, is able to add one cubit to his span of life? |
| Matthew 6:28 | καὶ περὶ ἐνδύματος τί μεριμνᾶτε; καταμάθετε τὰ κρίνα τοῦ ἀγροῦ πῶς ⸂αὐξάνουσιν· οὐ κοπιῶσιν οὐδὲ νήθουσιν⸃· | kai peri endymatos ti merimnate; katamathete ta krina toy agroy pōs ⸂ayxanoysin· oy kopiōsin oyde nēthoysin⸃· | And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: they neither labor nor spin. | Concerning clothing, why are you divided by care? Learn thoroughly from the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin. |
| Matthew 6:29 | λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν ὅτι οὐδὲ Σολομὼν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ περιεβάλετο ὡς ἓν τούτων. | legō de ymin oti oyde solomōn en pasē tē doxē aytoy periebaleto ōs en toytōn. | Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these. | But I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. |
| Matthew 6:30 | εἰ δὲ τὸν χόρτον τοῦ ἀγροῦ σήμερον ὄντα καὶ αὔριον εἰς κλίβανον βαλλόμενον ὁ θεὸς οὕτως ἀμφιέννυσιν, οὐ πολλῷ μᾶλλον ὑμᾶς, ὀλιγόπιστοι; | ei de ton chorton toy agroy sēmeron onta kai ayrion eis klibanon ballomenon o theos oytōs amphiennysin, oy pollō mallon ymas, oligopistoi; | If GOD so clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, people of little faith? | If GOD thus dresses the grass of the field—existing today and tomorrow being cast into an oven—will He not much more dress you, little-faith ones? |
| Matthew 6:31 | μὴ οὖν μεριμνήσητε λέγοντες· Τί φάγωμεν; ἤ· Τί πίωμεν; ἤ· Τί περιβαλώμεθα; | mē oyn merimnēsēte legontes· ti phagōmen; ē· ti piōmen; ē· ti peribalōmetha; | Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ | Therefore do not be divided by care, saying: What might we eat? What might we drink? What might we put on? |
| Matthew 6:32 | πάντα γὰρ ταῦτα τὰ ἔθνη ⸀ἐπιζητοῦσιν· οἶδεν γὰρ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος ὅτι χρῄζετε τούτων ἁπάντων. | panta gar tayta ta ethnē ⸀epizētoysin· oiden gar o patēr ymōn o oyranios oti chrēzete toytōn apantōn. | The nations seek all these things, and your heavenly FATHER knows that you need them. | For the nations eagerly seek all these things; indeed, your heavenly FATHER knows that you need all of them. |
| Matthew 6:33 | ζητεῖτε δὲ πρῶτον τὴν ⸀βασιλείαν καὶ τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ, καὶ ταῦτα πάντα προστεθήσεται ὑμῖν. | zēteite de prōton tēn ⸀basileian kai tēn dikaiosynēn aytoy, kai tayta panta prostethēsetai ymin. | Seek first the Kingdom and righteousness of GOD, and all these things will be given to you as well. | But seek first GOD’s Kingdom and His justice, and all these things will be added to you. |
| Matthew 6:34 | μὴ οὖν μεριμνήσητε εἰς τὴν αὔριον, ἡ γὰρ αὔριον μεριμνήσει ⸀αὑτῆς· ἀρκετὸν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἡ κακία αὐτῆς. | mē oyn merimnēsēte eis tēn ayrion, ē gar ayrion merimnēsei ⸀aytēs· arketon tē ēmera ē kakia aytēs. | Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. | Therefore do not be divided by care toward tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own hardship. |
John 14:27
| Reference | Original Greek | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John 14:27 | Εἰρήνην ἀφίημι ὑμῖν, εἰρήνην τὴν ἐμὴν δίδωμι ὑμῖν· οὐ καθὼς ὁ κόσμος δίδωσιν ἐγὼ δίδωμι ὑμῖν. μὴ ταρασσέσθω ὑμῶν ἡ καρδία μηδὲ δειλιάτω. | Eirenen aphiemi hymin, eirenen ten emen didomi hymin; ou kathos ho kosmos didosin ego didomi hymin. Me tarassestho hymon he kardia mede deiliato. | Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid. | Peace I leave to you; My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be agitated, nor let it become cowardly. |
Romans 8:38–39
| Reference | Original Greek | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romans 8:38 | πέπεισμαι γὰρ ὅτι οὔτε θάνατος οὔτε ζωὴ οὔτε ἄγγελοι οὔτε ἀρχαὶ οὔτε ⸂ἐνεστῶτα οὔτε μέλλοντα οὔτε δυνάμεις⸃ | pepeismai gar oti oyte thanatos oyte zōē oyte aggeloi oyte archai oyte ⸂enestōta oyte mellonta oyte dynameis⸃ | I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor rulers, neither the present nor the future, nor powers— | For I have been persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor rulers, neither things present nor things coming, nor powers— |
| Romans 8:39 | οὔτε ὕψωμα οὔτε βάθος οὔτε τις κτίσις ἑτέρα δυνήσεται ἡμᾶς χωρίσαι ἀπὸ τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ θεοῦ τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν. | oyte ypsōma oyte bathos oyte tis ktisis etera dynēsetai ēmas chōrisai apo tēs agapēs toy theoy tēs en christō iēsoy tō kyriō ēmōn. | neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of GOD in Christ Jesus our Lord. | neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from GOD’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
1 Corinthians 7:32
| Reference | Original Greek | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 7:32 | θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους εἶναι | Thelo de hymas amerimnous einai. | I want you to be free from anxieties. | I desire you to be without divided care. |
Philippians 4:6–7
| Reference | Original Greek | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philippians 4:6 | μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε, ἀλλ’ ἐν παντὶ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετ’ εὐχαριστίας τὰ αἰτήματα ὑμῶν γνωριζέσθω πρὸς τὸν θεόν· | mēden merimnate, all’ en panti tē proseychē kai tē deēsei met’ eycharistias ta aitēmata ymōn gnōrizesthō pros ton theon· | Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD. | Be divided by care about nothing; rather, in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known toward GOD. |
| Philippians 4:7 | καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ ὑπερέχουσα πάντα νοῦν φρουρήσει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ νοήματα ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. | kai ē eirēnē toy theoy ē yperechoysa panta noyn phroyrēsei tas kardias ymōn kai ta noēmata ymōn en christō iēsoy. | And the peace of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. | And GOD’s peace, surpassing every mind, will stand guard over your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. |
1 Peter 5:5–8
| Reference | Original Greek | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Peter 5:5 | ὁμοίως, νεώτεροι, ὑποτάγητε πρεσβυτέροις. πάντες δὲ ⸀ἀλλήλοις τὴν ταπεινοφροσύνην ἐγκομβώσασθε, ὅτι Ὁ θεὸς ὑπερηφάνοις ἀντιτάσσεται ταπεινοῖς δὲ δίδωσιν χάριν. | omoiōs, neōteroi, ypotagēte presbyterois. pantes de ⸀allēlois tēn tapeinophrosynēn egkombōsasthe, oti o theos yperēphanois antitassetai tapeinois de didōsin charin. | Likewise, you who are younger, submit to the elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because GOD opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. | Likewise, younger ones, be subject to elders; all of you fasten humility upon yourselves toward one another, because GOD sets Himself against the arrogant but gives grace to the humble. |
| 1 Peter 5:6 | Ταπεινώθητε οὖν ὑπὸ τὴν κραταιὰν χεῖρα τοῦ θεοῦ, ἵνα ὑμᾶς ὑψώσῃ ἐν καιρῷ, | tapeinōthēte oyn ypo tēn krataian cheira toy theoy, ina ymas ypsōsē en kairō, | Humble yourselves under the mighty Hand of GOD, so that He may exalt you at the proper time. | Be humbled, therefore, under GOD’s powerful Hand, so that He may raise you in due time. |
| 1 Peter 5:7 | πᾶσαν τὴν μέριμναν ὑμῶν ἐπιρίψαντες ἐπ’ αὐτόν, ὅτι αὐτῷ μέλει περὶ ὑμῶν. | pasan tēn merimnan ymōn epiripsantes ep’ ayton, oti aytō melei peri ymōn. | Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. | Throw all your divided care upon Him, because there is care with Him concerning you. |
| 1 Peter 5:8 | νήψατε, γρηγορήσατε. ὁ ἀντίδικος ὑμῶν διάβολος ὡς λέων ὠρυόμενος περιπατεῖ ζητῶν ⸀τινα ⸀καταπιεῖν· | nēpsate, grēgorēsate. o antidikos ymōn diabolos ōs leōn ōryomenos peripatei zētōn ⸀tina ⸀katapiein· | Be sober-minded and watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. | Be sober; stay awake. Your opponent, the slanderer, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to swallow down. |
Islamic Scriptures
Quran 2:286 — Al-Baqarah
| Reference | Original Arabic | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quran 2:286 — Al-Baqarah | لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا | Lā yukallifu Allāhu nafsan illā wusʿahā. | GOD does not burden any soul beyond its capacity. It receives the good it has earned and bears the consequences of what it has done. | GOD does not charge a soul except according to its capacity. |
Quran 3:173 — Āl ʿImrān
| Reference | Original Arabic | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quran 3:173 — Āl ʿImrān | حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ | Ḥasbunā Allāhu wa-niʿma l-wakīl. | GOD is sufficient for us, and He is the best Guardian. | Sufficient for us is GOD, and excellent is the Trustee. |
Quran 9:51 — At-Tawbah
| Reference | Original Arabic | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quran 9:51 — At-Tawbah | قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَا إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلَانَا وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ | Qul lan yuṣībanā illā mā kataba Allāhu lanā; huwa mawlānā, wa-ʿalā Allāhi fal-yatawakkali l-muʾminūn. | Say: ‘Nothing will happen to us except what GOD has decreed for us. He is our Protector.’ In GOD, therefore, let the believers place their trust. | Say: ‘Nothing will strike us except what GOD has written for us. He is our protecting master.’ Upon GOD let the faithful rely. |
Quran 13:28 — Ar-Raʿd
| Reference | Original Arabic | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quran 13:28 — Ar-Raʿd | أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ | Alā bi-dhikri Allāhi taṭmaʾinnu l-qulūb. | Surely, in the remembrance of GOD hearts find rest. | Behold: by the remembrance of GOD the hearts become tranquil. |
Quran 94:5–6 — Ash-Sharḥ
| Reference | Original Arabic | Transliteration | Canonical translation | Literal translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quran 94:5 | فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا | Fa-inna maʿa l-ʿusri yusrā. | Indeed, with hardship comes ease. | For truly, together with the difficulty is ease. |
| Quran 94:6 | إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا | Inna maʿa l-ʿusri yusrā. | Indeed, with hardship comes ease. | Truly, together with the difficulty is ease. |
Peace Is Practiced One Day at a Time
The Scriptures do not promise a life without uncertainty. They teach a different freedom: fear need not become our master. We can entrust tomorrow to GOD, receive today as the place of responsibility, and accept help without shame. Peace is not always the immediate disappearance of every anxious thought; often it begins as the quiet strength to take the next right step while remembering that we do not take it alone.
