If you live with a mental illness, you’re not alone. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety several years ago, and I still take a daily antidepressant. In addition to medication and therapy, I also turn to God. This multi-pronged approach has been a godsend (see what I did there?) for my mental health. I’ve put together a 31-day scripture writing plan on anxiety with the hope that it helps you too!
Related: Confessions of a Depressed Flower Child
Anxiety is Common
First of all, what is anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease. Anxiety can cause physical symptoms like sweating or even throwing up.
Most people experience anxiety at some point in their life, usually in response to a stressful situation. This might be taking an exam, meeting new people, speaking in public, or something else.
While anxiety is a normal emotion that everyone experiences from time to time, some people may experience anxiety more frequently or more severely than others. People who experience anxiety may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. There are a number of different anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.
As for me? I have generalized anxiety disorder.
Faith and Mental Health
Last year I polled the Christian women in my Facebook group, asking their preferences on content. The most popular result was mental health resources for Christians. While more people have opened up about their struggles with mental illness, a stigma still lingers, along with misinformation.
You can’t just “pray away” depression or any other mental illness.
An anxiety disorder isn’t a sign of “insufficient faith.”
Developing a consistent prayer routine and reading my Bible daily have improved my own mental health, but I still rely on my antidepressant and therapy.
We serve a God who understands our anxiety and wants to help us–even if that means medication or therapy. God gave me a brain, and I’ve used it to find multiple helpful resources to improve my mental health.
I hope this scripture writing plan on anxiety can be a helpful resource for your mental health.
Daily Scripture Writing Can Help
As Christians, we are never alone. God is with us always, even when anxiety or depression tries to convince us otherwise. Writing scripture can be a daily reminder of God’s presence in our lives. This spiritual discipline has multiple benefits. Writing scripture can help us:
- focus on God’s promises
- trust in Their power
- trust in Their love
- fight anxiety and fear
This simple act of writing can help to calm our anxious minds, giving us the reassurance we need that God is with us always.
Following a scripture writing plan on anxiety is just one way to remember that God is in control and that God will never leave you or forsake you.
This simple act of faith can truly make a difference. But remember, it’s okay if scripture writing is just one action you take to combat anxiety. Medication and therapy are okay too!
Old Testament Scripture Writing Plan for Anxiety
When I was researching Old Testament Bible verses that encourage believers, or remind us to share our problems with the Lord, I found so many amazing Psalms. Psalms of lament are examples of God’s people expressing their pains, their fears, their worries with raw honesty. God welcomes our questions, our anguish–even our doubts!
Some of these Psalms I have broken down into multiple days, highlighting specific verses to best combat anxiety.
The Old Testament is filled of stories of God fulfilling Their promises to Their people. As you work through this scripture writing plan on anxiety, I hope you remember God’s love for you.
Each daily scripture shouldn’t take too long to write out. If you have extra time, I encourage you to read the surrounding verses as well, and meditate on the overall context.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you.”
Joshua 1:9
I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Psalm 4:8
I will both lie down and sleep in peace;
for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.
Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
Psalm 29:11
May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace!
Psalm 34:4
I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:17-18
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 55:1-2
Give ear to my prayer, O God;
do not hide yourself from my supplication.
Attend to me, and answer me;
I am troubled in my complaint.
I am distraught
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:25-26
Do not be afraid of sudden panic,
or of the storm that strikes the wicked;
for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.
Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety weighs down the human heart,
but a good word cheers it up.
Isaiah 41:10
do not fear, for I am with you,
do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Jeremiah 29:11
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
New Testament Scripture Writing Plan for Anxiety
The four Gospels contain multiple stories of Jesus reassuring His followers. We can also rely on those reassurances! The Epistles instruct new believers on different matters related to faith, including how to act and what to believe during challenging times. These instructions still guide Christians today.
Matthew 6:25-27
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?
Matthew 6:28-30
And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
Matthew 6:31-34
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Mark 11:24
So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
John 16:33
I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
Hebrews 13:5-6
Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?”
James 1:2-4
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 5:13
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.
1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:8-10
Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.
Conclusion
I hope this scripture writing plan on anxiety brings you comfort and encourages you in your walk with God.
These posts will also encourage your heart and your mental health.
This is my second scripture writing plan. You can also find my scripture writing plan on love. In addition, for both scripture writing plans, I’ve designed a free printable version. You gain access to both, plus additional resources to grow your faith, when you submit the form below.
The printable scripture writing plans are especially helpful for anyone who wants to write scripture from a translation other than the New Revised Standard Version, which is what I’ve quoted above.
What other topics would you like to see covered in a scripture writing plan? What other resources on mental health can I provide for you? Let’s grow together in our walk with the Lord!
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