Be Anxious For Nothing! 13 Powerful Ways

What does it mean to be anxious for nothing?

In Philippians 4:6-7, the Bible says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

To be anxious for nothing means to not be weighed down by the cares of this world. It’s a command from God to not allow anything to steal our peace or joy. This doesn’t mean that we will never experience negative emotions or that life will be perfect. It means that we can trust God with whatever comes our way and find strength in Him during difficult times.

Why do we get anxious?

When we are anxious, it’s often because we are trying to control the outcome of a situation. We worry about what could happen instead of trusting God and His perfect plan for our lives. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy, fear, and stress. But when we surrender our worrying to God, He gives us His peace in return.

In the Bible it says, “Give your worries to the Lord, and He will take care of you” (Psalm 55:22). This doesn’t mean that our problems will go away, but it does mean that God will give us the strength to handle them and that we can be anxious for nothing.

In John, Christ Jesus said to His disciples, “My peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

Jesus knew that we would have trials and anxiety in this life, but He also promised to give us His peace. This peace is not based on our circumstances; it’s based on our relationship with God. When we are filled with His peace, we can face anything that comes our way.

When Jesus walked on the water, His disciples were greatly afraid of what they saw. But Jesus calmed their fears and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27).

In the same way, when we are feeling anxious or afraid, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus is with us. We don’t have to go through life alone; He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

13 ways to be anxious for nothing

1. Cast your cares on your heavenly Father

In 1 Peter 5:7, we are told to “cast all our anxieties on Him, because He cares for us.” When we are feeling overwhelmed, we can take our concerns to God and know that He is listening. We don’t have to carry the burden of our worries alone.

Matthew 6:25 says, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, or what you will eat or drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”

Jesus reminds us that we don’t have to worry about the necessities of life. God is our provider and He will take care of us. This doesn’t mean that we should ignore our problems; it means that we should trust God to take care of us. He knows what we need and He will provide for us.

2. Pray about everything

In Philippians 4:6, we are told to come to God in “prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

This verse is a reminder that we can bring our concerns to God in prayer. He wants us to come to Him with everything that is on our hearts. When we pray, we are opening up the lines of communication with our heavenly Father. He is waiting to hear from us and He wants to help us with our troubles.

In John, the Lord Jesus Christ said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Jesus promised that we would have trials in this life, but He also promised to be with us through it all. When we pray, we can feel His presence and know that He is walking with us through our difficulties.

3. Focus on God’s goodness

In Psalm 34:8, we are told to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” When we focus on God’s goodness, it helps us to remember all of the ways He has been faithful to us in the past. This can give us hope for the future and help us to trust Him with our current situation.

In Jeremiah, the Lord says, “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

God has a good plan for our lives. When we focus on His goodness, it helps us to remember that He is in control. We can trust Him to work everything out for our good.

4. Be Anxious For Nothing By Meditating on God’s Word

In Joshua 1:8, we are told to “keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.”

This verse is a reminder that we need to keep God’s Word close to our hearts. When we meditate on Scripture, it helps us to stay focused on God. His Word is a source of strength and encouragement. It can help us to remember His promises and trust Him in the midst of our trials.

In Psalm 1 it says, “Blessed is the man who walk not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).

When we meditate on God’s Word, it helps us to love God, avoid evil, and to walk in His righteousness. This pleases God and brings peace to our hearts.

5. Trust in God’s sovereignty

In Proverbs 3:5, we are told to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

This verse is a reminder that we need to trust God, even when we don’t understand what He is doing. His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We can’t always see the big picture, but we can trust that God knows what He is doing.

In Isaiah, the Lord says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

In order to be anxious for nothing, We need to remember that God is sovereign. He is in control of everything. We can trust Him to work all things together for our good.

5. Give thanks in all circumstances

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we are told to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

We can always find something to be thankful for, no matter what our circumstances may be. When we give thanks to God, it helps us to remember all of the ways He has been faithful to us in the past. This can give us hope for the future.

In Psalm 107 it says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).

When we focus on God’s goodness and give thanks for His many blessings, it helps us to trust Him in the midst of our trials. We can be confident that He will work everything out for our good.

Philippians 4 tells us to be anxious for nothing, but instead to present our needs “by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.”

Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons we have against anxiety. When we pray, we are talking to God. We can tell Him our fears and concerns. We can ask for His help. We can also thank Him for His many blessings.

6. Be Anxious For Nothing By Relying on the Holy Spirit

In John 14:26, Jesus tells us that it is better for Him to return to heaven because the Holy Spirit will be with us and help us when we experience anxiety. He said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. He helps us to understand God’s Word and apply it to our lives. He is our helper. He is always with us. He can help us to remember what God has said to us. He can also give us understanding and wisdom when we need it.

We can’t overcome anxiety on our own, but by the power of the Spirit we can be anxious for nothing.

7. Store up treasures in heaven

When we focus on the things of this world, it can lead to a lot of anxiety. But when we focus on the things of heaven, it can help us to be anxious for nothing.

In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus tells us that we cannot serve both God and money. He says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

When our treasure is in heaven, our hearts will be there too. We won’t be as worried about the things of this world. Instead, we will be looking forward to the joys of eternity with God.

When we try to store up treasures on earth, we will always be worried and anxious about what will happen to them. But when we store up treasures in heaven, we can be at peace knowing that God will take care of them.

8. Don’t worry about tomorrow

One of the main causes of anxiety is worrying about what will happen tomorrow. We worry about the future. But Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow. He says, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34).

We can’t change the future. We can only live for today. So instead of worrying about tomorrow, we should focus on today and trust God for tomorrow. Every day has enough trouble of its own. Instead of focusing on tomorrow, focus on today and be anxious for nothing.

9. Don’t be afraid

Many times, our anxiety is caused by fear. We are afraid of what will happen. But God tells us not to be afraid. In Isaiah 41:10 it says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

When we are afraid, we need to remember that God is with us. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is our strength and our help. We can trust Him to take care of us.

In Hebrews 13:6 it says, “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”

The Lord is our helper. We don’t need to be afraid of what other people can do to us. We can trust God to take care of us.

11. Don’t give in to temptation

In Matthew 26:41, Jesus tells us to watch and pray so that we will not fall into temptation. He says, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

When we are anxious, we are more likely to give in to temptation. That’s why it’s so important for us to watch and pray. We need to stay close to God so that we will not fall into temptation.

In James 4:7 it says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

When we resist the devil, he will flee from us. We don’t need to give in to temptation. We can resist the enemy and be anxious for nothing.

12. Rely on the Lord

In Psalm 46:1 it says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

When we are anxious, we need to remember that God is our refuge and strength. He is always there to help us in times of trouble. We can rely on Him to take care of us.

13. Be anxious for nothing by focusing on the Lord at all times

In Isaiah 26:3 it says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

When we focus on God and trust in Him, He will give us peace. We don’t need to be anxious when we rely on the Lord.

We can be at peace knowing that He is in control. We can have joy knowing that He is our strength. And we can be confident knowing that He will take care of us.

In Psalm 46:10 it says, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

When we are still and know that God is in control, we will find peace. We don’t need to be anxious when we trust in the Lord. He will take care of us.

Daily Bible Verses To Help You Be Anxious For Nothing

Philippians 4:19 – And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:25-28 – Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. 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?

Isaiah 26:3 – You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Matthew 6:34 – Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

1 Peter 5:7 – casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Hebrews 13:6 – So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Matthew 26:41 – Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

James 4:7 – Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:10 – Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Hey, I'm Stephen Altrogge. I'm a dad and published author. I've written for The Gospel Coalition, Desiring God, ERLC, Church Leaders, Crosswalk, and many more outlets. You can follow me on Instagram and Facebook .

34 thoughts on “Be Anxious For Nothing! 13 Powerful Ways”

  1. Yes!! Every word extremely filling. Like a huge bowl of hot beef stew (homemade) on a cold day, that I asked for & got, but then out comes the Homemade Sourdough loaf ” hot & steamy ” to dip in the gravy like broth, now that was a unexpected surprise I thought I should not ask for but he knew, he knew how happy it would make me, we get those too, all the time. I’m surprised at the most unexpected moments. I need reminding that he loves me more than to the moon and back a zillion times. Thank you Steven Altrogge.

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  2. I really loved what you wrote. Philippians 4:6 is one of my ‘go to’ verses. But I realise I often don’t pay enough attention to the prayer and supplication bit. Many thanks for your insights.

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  3. Great article and one of my favorite verses! But the one thing that GOD has taught me is this: HE is a good, good FATHER and HE gives us what we NEED, not what we WANT. And sometimes, that means that the answer is “No”. And sometimes the answer is “Wait. Not yet”. And that’s okay. The desire of our heart as born again, HOLY SPIRIT filled Children of GOD should always be “YOUR Will, Oh GOD, be done…not my will”. The peace that comes from knowing that HE is in full control and knows the who, what, when, where, why and how of everything, everywhere and every time is beyond priceless! (And, oh yeah, most of the time the answer is a resounding “YES”!)… The unshakable confidence that comes from knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, that our Heavenly FATHER hears every word uttered, every groan made and sees every tear that falls from each and every one of HIS Children keeps me sustained and running the race set before me each and every day. Knowing that HIS incomprehensible love for me is never ending and I will always be HIS eternally is beyond any words, in any language, to describe! Honestly, after 40 years of being HIS, I could not live any other way and would not want to! I do not know how anyone could live apart from HIM. And that, for the most part, is what inspires me to tell others of my faith, belief and hope in JESUS CHRIST! Thank you, again and thanks for allowing me the space to “brag about my Heavenly DAD!”.
    GOD Bless in each and every way!
    Kelly Allen

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  4. Dude, dont feel bad, we are Bills fans?
    I have been through the most difficult 2 years of my life. Yet GOD HAS shown HIS incredible Faithfulness and unfathomable creativity in helping my life go on. I still haven’t gotten to the other side of my trial but the closeness I have with my Dad (The Great I am) JESUS the love of my life, and my BFF, The Holy Spirit, is PRICELESS… and so through His faithfulness, and the intangable but never the less for real trust in HIM and complete surrender of myself , I have been truly able to digest and have my body nourished with the beautiful verse “ be anxious for nothing” ??

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  5. I wish that I could internalize and apply your wonderful views, but I guess that I’m too weak. Sadly I could REALLY use the boost right about now.

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  6. Love everything about this! Thank you for writing this! It also may be a Ella Thing lol my daughter Ella does the same THING!!!!!

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  7. Thank you for Always sharing what the Lord inspires you to write.
    This message is Truly a Blessing to ME!!!

    God has given you a unique writing gift with the ability to express your thoughts openly, honestly, and most of all, “real-every day” relatability. I appreciate you. May the Lord Jesus continue to bless you and your family, and use you for His Glory!!

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