For many, reading the Bible brings comfort during hard times. I was recently talking with a client (who I will call R) who had been struggling with increased anxiety and depression during her cancer journey.
(She is on medication, is eating and sleeping well, and has also been seeing a therapist since before her cancer diagnosis).
As a holistic cancer coach, I explore each of the 6 pillars of holistic cancer care with my clients. Each area of life is affected by and affects a cancer diagnosis.
These areas include physical, mental, emotional, financial, social, and spiritual health.
It’s important to make sure each of these areas of life is being tended to and problems addressed in each one in order to live a healthy, balanced life.
During one coaching session, we started talking about the spiritual part of her life – her faith and other things that connected her spiritually to the world around her.
She mentioned that she wasn’t satisfied with her spiritual life at that moment but wanted to change that.
I asked her about a time when she was happy with her spiritual life and what was different then compared to now.
R mentioned that she used to read the bible regularly, but the modern translations didn’t quite impact her the way the King James Version did. This was the version she grew up with.
She had memorized some verses from that translation in her youth. At times, she would recall those declarations of good news.
When she did, it would boost her spirits for a bit. But she had forgotten many of the verses she had memorized as a kid.
I offered to put together a list of bible verses about anxiety and depression (KJV) that might remind her of the verses of her childhood, and that would hopefully help soothe her anxious heart.
An anxiety disorder or a depressive disorder can get worse after a cancer diagnosis or while taking care of someone with cancer. Both are difficult situations that can consume one’s entire life.
When you have anxiety or depression, it’s important to seek out professional help and even take medications if needed.
Equally important is to also include different coping skills, rituals, and self-care practices that work for you to give you peace and reduce anxiety.
Using positive coping skills to deal with anxiety and depression can move you away from feeling paralyzed and overwhelmed.
This doesn’t mean you ignore the reality of the situation, nor does it mean that you simply need to think positive thoughts, believing that will make all your problems go away.
Toxic positivity wants you to ignore feelings of sadness and anger. This does not help your situation and can actually be quite harmful.
Instead, you can acknowledge tough times, use healthy ways to cope with the reality of your situation, and move forward despite challenges.
Some find that their faith and spiritual walk are questioned during difficult times, while others gravitate to their faith and cling to promises made in God’s Word.
This is what my client did. She read these verses and memorized them.
Sometimes, during really tough weeks, she would write a verse down over and over.
R said copying the verses down helped her remember them better, even with her brain fog.
That’s why I shared 52 verses with her – so she could focus on one per week.
This gave her a year of bible verses about anxiety and depression (KJV) to add to her toolbox of coping skills.
I asked her about the verses in a follow-up session we had a few months later. She reported that she’d been focusing on a new verse every week.
She said her mental health had improved and that she had fewer anxiety attacks.
When she did experience anxiety, she was able to recall the verse of the week.
This helped R to switch the focus from her swirling anxious thoughts to thoughts that helped to calm her down.
My client recognized the seriousness of her advanced cancer, but at the same time, she didn’t see it as such a bleak situation as she had earlier.
She shared that she had a more hopeful, positive outlook on life. She focused less on her anxious thoughts and desire to sleep all day to ignore her reality.
Instead, she focused on the positive messages found in the Word of God. By reconnecting with the spiritual side of her life, she felt renewed purpose and felt stronger to tackle the challenges she was facing.
I loved seeing how much her renewed faith encouraged and inspired her.
This, in turn, inspired me to create a part devotional, part journal about anxiety and depression. It uses many of the same Bible verses but in the New International Version (NIV) translation. This is coming soon to Amazon, so stay tuned!
At the end of this post, I’ve listed some other suggestions on how to use these Bible verses about anxiety and depression (KJV verses) in your life during your cancer journey and beyond.
Anxiety and depression don’t just start and end with a cancer diagnosis or when cancer caregiving duties start and end.
These verses can help a lot, no matter what challenges you’re facing.
I hope these powerful bible verses bring you comfort, peace, and hope as well.
Many of these verses can apply to situations of depression and anxiety, so I didn’t try to separate them out by topic.
Instead, they are shared in the order in which they appear in the Bible.
Bible Verses About Anxiety and Depression KJV Version
Old Testament Verses
Bible Verses From Deuteronomy:
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
“And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8
Bible Verse From Joshua:
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” – Joshua 1:9
Bible Verses From Psalms:
“But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” – Psalm 3:3
“I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.” – Psalm 6:6-9
“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” – Psalm 9:9
“It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” – Psalm 18:32
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1
“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” – Psalm 30:5
“Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.’ – Psalm 30:11
“I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:4
“The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” – Psalm 34:17-18
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” – Psalm 37:23-24
“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” – Psalm 40:1-2
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.” – Psalm 46:1-3
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” – Psalm 55:22
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” – Psalm 56:3
“In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.” – Psalm 94:19
“I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.” – Psalm 130:5
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3
Bible Verses From Proverbs:
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” – Proverbs 12:25
Bible Verses From Isaiah:
‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” – Isaiah 26:3-4
“Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.” – Isaiah 35:4
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” – Isaiah 41:10
Bible Verse From Jeremiah:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Bible Verse From Lamentations:
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
New Testament Bible Verses
Bible Verses from Matthew
“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” – Matthew 6:25
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” – Matthew 6:34
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
Bible Verses from John:
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” – John 14:1
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” – John 14:18
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Bible Verses From Romans:
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” – Romans 8:26
‘For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” – Romans 15:4
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” – Romans 15:13
Bible Verse From 2 Corinthians:
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Bible Verses From Philippians
“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” – Philippians 4:4
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:7-8
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” – Philippians 4:13
Bible Verse From Colossians:
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” – Colossians 3:15
Bible Verse From 2 Thessalonians:
“Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Bible Verse From 2 Timothy:
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
Bible Verse From Hebrews:
‘So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” – Hebrews 13:6
Bible Verses From 1 Peter
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” – 1 Peter 4:12-13
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
‘But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” – 1 Peter 5:10
Bible Verse From Revelation:
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” – Revelation 21:4
Ways to Use These Bible Verses About Anxiety and Depression (KJV Version) in Your Life
There are many ways you can use these bible verses to help fight depression and anxiety.
One way to make these verses part of your daily routine is to start and end your days with prayer. It doesn’t have to be fancy or long-winded—just a simple chat with the Big Guy upstairs.
Share your worries, ask for His peace to fill your heart, and ask for help in remembering these bible verses when you’re struggling.
Another trick is to get hands-on with the verses. Copy them over and over until they’re stuck in your brain like your favorite song lyrics.
In fact, some of these verses have been made into hymns. I remember one from a long time ago that says “Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.”
While the hymn isn’t in the KJV wording, it helps me to remember the verse from 1 Peter 5:7 that says “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
You can search for hymns that incorporate these verses about depression and anxiety or sing them to yourself in a made-up tune.
Setting words to music and singing it in your head can be an easy way to memorize something.
Then, you can pull it from your memory during tough times. It’s like having a pocket-sized pep talk ready to go whenever you need it most.
But don’t stop there—write the verses on sticky notes and plaster them in places where you’ll see them every day.
Put them on the bathroom mirror, the fridge door, or even your computer screen—anywhere that can catch your eye and remind you that you’re not alone in this.
Use brightly colored sticky notes so that your eyes are drawn to the colors throughout the day.
A few well-placed sticky notes in your car can also be a great comfort. Especially when you’re on your way to another appointment or getting ready to find out scan results.
Anxiety can be at an all-time high in these situations, and a few of your favorite bible verses posted in your car can bring peace and help you release stress and anxiety.
You can write the verse of the week into a gratitude journal and write about how that verse speaks to you. Think back on times when that verse was true in your life or to a time you’re looking forward to where you’ll see that the promise in that verse has come true.
You can also use my upcoming devotional / journal. It’s like giving your brain a daily dose of positivity while boosting your spiritual walk.
Or how about turning those verses into a daily affirmation? You can repeat them to yourself like a mantra whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed or down in the dumps.
It’s amazing how a few simple words can shift your perspective and lift your spirits.
And don’t keep what you’re learning and experiencing to yourself—share it with others!
You can start or join a Bible study group or prayer circle where you can come together with friends or family to support each other and find strength in a community.
Lastly, don’t forget to give yourself some grace along the way. It’s okay to have setbacks or bad days.
Just keep leaning on those verses, keep praying, and keep moving forward—one step at a time.
So, there you have it—some simple ways to incorporate Bible verses into your life to fight depression and anxiety.
This blog post has given you 52 bible verses about anxiety and depression (KJV version) so that you can focus on a new one each week of the year.
This gives you a whole army of verses standing by, ready to fight alongside you whenever you feel like depression and anxiety are taking over.
I hope they give you something else to stay focused on and help boost your mood while strengthening your faith at the same time.
