Full calendars, constant availability, pressure at work or in the family: stress is part of everyday life for many. Although the Bible does not speak of "stress," it speaks a great deal of restlessness, toil, and rest. Here you will find 19 Bible verses for stress – from Jesus' invitation "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened" to verses that help you remain calm in the hustle and bustle.
Come, you who are weary
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Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.
Matthew 11:28-30Rest
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My soul is still before God, who helps me.
Psalm 62:2RestConfirmation sayings
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Be still, and know that I am God.
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He said: My face shall go before you; I will guide you.
Exodus 33:14God's presenceExhaustion
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He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
Psalm 23:2-3aGood ShepherdExhaustion
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For thus says the Lord, the LORD, the Holy One of Israel: If you return and be still, then you will be helped; through stillness and hope you will be strong.
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And he said to them: Let us go especially to a deserted place and rest a while.
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It is in vain that you rise early and sit up late and eat your bread with anxious thoughts; for he gives sleep to his friends.
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Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!
Remain calm
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You will always have peace according to a certain promise; for people rely on you.
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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled or afraid.
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Better is one handful with rest than both fists full of toil and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:6ContentmentWork
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But Jesus answered and said to her: Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good part, and it will not be taken from her.
Luke 10:41-42Time
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A good heart is the life of the body.
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And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you are also called in one body; and be thankful!
Colossians 3:15PeaceThankfulness
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Cast your anxiety on the LORD; he will provide for you and will not allow the righteous to be troubled forever.
Psalm 55:23Worries
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Therefore do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will provide for itself. Sufficient is it that each day has its own trouble.
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We are troubled all around, but we are not dismayed; we are afraid, but we do not despair; we are persecuted, but we are not forsaken; we are oppressed, but we are not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9OvercomingPersecution
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I lie down and sleep in peace; for alone you, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:9Evening and nightBaptismal sayings
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
Related Topics
This Goes Well Together
A light yoke instead of a heavy burden: The Easy Yoke collection is made exactly for days when everything becomes too much.
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Jesus and the Full Calendar
Jesus also knew days when so much was going on that there was no time left to eat (Mark 6:31). His answer: "Let us go especially to a deserted place and rest a while." Rest is not a luxury in the Bible, but part of God's order – all the way to the Sabbath. The story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42) is not a devaluation of work, but an invitation not to lose the one thing among all the important things.
Small Breaks with Big Verses
A minute of silence often helps against stress. Psalm 46:11 ("Be still, and know that I am God") or Psalm 62:2 can be spoken while taking a breath. Ecclesiastes 4:6 is a good question for decisions: Better one handful with rest than two fists full of toil? When stress becomes chronic exhaustion, you will find verses on Bible verses for exhaustion; about breaks and rest days in Bible verses on the Sabbath.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible verse helps with stress?
Matthew 11:28 ("Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened") is the best known. Psalm 62:2, Psalm 46:11, Philippians 4:6-7, and Isaiah 26:3 are also helpful.
What does the Bible say about rest?
Rest has been part of creation from the beginning: God rests on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2). Jesus invites us to rest (Matthew 11:28-30) and repeatedly withdraws himself (Mark 1:35; 6:31).
