Peaceful Scripture to Let You Rest in Jesus
Worry seems like the normal reaction to the uncertainty and pain of life. Anxiety may seem like an expression of prudence. It is easy to accept it as inescapable and unavoidable cost of living. A certain amount of fretting is even seen as virtuous in some corners of the church. These well meaning believers follow God with a toe in the water, but never boldly jump all the way in. They always hold back to hedge their bets in the name of reasonableness.
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Yet, despite it feeling natural and logical, does worry make any sense if you understand God’s identity? If you really think about it, is there anything reasonable about anxiety if you are a follower of the King of Kings?
As a Christian, you are a beloved child of God. He is your all knowing, omnipresent and all powerful Father. This means nothing surprises God, is hidden from Him, or outside of His grasp. It is a bit like having the greatest superhero Dad ever, who also knows everything, is everywhere, and can do anything. This is a very imperfect and incomplete comparison, though, as God is so much more than fictional comic book characters. He is also in control of all things and has been for eternity. He sits on the throne of heaven and earth and has for all time. He also loves you personally and promised to take care of you. These attributes and promises add up to the conclusion that you are amazingly safe and secure in the hands of the Master, no matter all else going on.
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This was Jesus’ point when He slept through the raging storm on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples were reasonable to fear greatly because they saw their boat was about to sink. Human wisdom led to only one conclusion: be afraid, be very afraid. Yet, in God’s Kingdom this was actually foolishness and unbelief expressed. They were in the presence of Jesus – there was nothing to fear as a result.
Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”
And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” Luke 8:24-25
Since God is who He is and loves you in the way that He does, there is truly nothing that should fill you with anxiety. It is this reason that the Bible is so full of verses encouraging you not to fear, worry, be anxious, fret, or be dismayed.
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Here are 41 Powerfully Peaceful Scriptures to Let You Rest in Jesus
1 – Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
God does not scold you for feeling fear or being tempted to worry. They are normal human reactions to life. He also does not say there will not be challenging things you must face. He simply promises to go through the storms with you. When you understand who God is, that is more than enough.
2 – Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
3 – Hebrews 13:5-6
For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say:
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
4 – John 1:12
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
When God promises to be with you, it is not merely a passive presence. He is the light of the world leading you through whatever darkness you encounter. He gives light and light continually – no matter the circumstances.
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5 – Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
6 – 1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
You can trust God’s presence and leading, despite what your flesh may say, because it is motivated by perfect love. When you understand that the perfect referred to in this verse is God’s love for you, it makes the world seem much less scary.
7 – Romans 8:31-35
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
The Father sending Jesus attests to the depth of His love for you.
8 – John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
9 – Luke 10:41-42
And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Fretting can seem like a virtue, at times. People who are motivated by worry tend to have things squared away and look good – even holy. Yet, Jesus in this passage commends Mary for understanding the perfect place for every disciple – not worried – but sitting at Jesus’ feet enjoying Him.
10 – Isaiah 41:13
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
11 – John 6:35-40
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
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12 – Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry 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, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Jesus identified two key concepts about worry here –
First, worry is a faith issue. It is forgetting God’s nature and character.
Second, worry is pointless. You add nothing to your life by worrying and it distracts from God.
13 – Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.
14 – Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
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15 – 2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
16 – 1 Peter 5:7
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Anxiety and striving can seem like the way to make yourself great in the world. Yet, this is the exact opposite of God’s plan. He calls you to put yourself last, like Jesus, and trust Him to exalt you.
17 – John 14:27
“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 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 things that I said to you. 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, neither let it be afraid.
18 – Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
19 – Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
20- Philippians 4:13
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through [Christ who strengthens me.
Paul faced many painful and humbling things in his service of Jesus. He was flogged, beaten, shipwrecked, and jailed. Yet, he is not fearful.
Why?
Paul realized that everything that happened was in God’s hands and would be used for His glory. He is on His throne and could be trusted. Paul was therefore content, no matter the circumstances around him.
21 – Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But a good word makes it glad.
22 – Psalm 94:19
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
23 – Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
24 – Luke 1:37
For with God nothing will be impossible.
25 –Joshua 1:6-8
I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
26 – 2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
27 – Mark 13:11
But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
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28 – Psalm 56:3
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
29 – Jeremiah 17:7-8
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
30 – Matthew 13:22
As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
31 – Revelation 21:3-4
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Knowing the end of all things before they occur, including where you will end up, tends to make things a lot less terrifying.
32 – Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
33 – Psalm 121:1-2
A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
34 – Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
35 – Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
36 – Psalm 34:4
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
37 – Job 19:25
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
38 – Isaiah 35:4
Say to those who are fearful-hearted,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you.”
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39 – Psalm 138:8
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
40 – Romans 8:38-39
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 created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul seems to bring every possible word he can here to try to get his point across to you. What is it? That nothing can take you away from the Lord who loves you.
41 – Psalm 23:1-6
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
I knew one section of the Bible as a child. My mother prayed Psalm 23 with me when I was very young. I remembered only a little of it and understood it imperfectly, I thought a cup was going to run over me, but it comforted me greatly in the midst of a troubled childhood. The Lord is my Shepherd. He is yours too. There is no reason to fear.
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Thank you so much for these encouraging Scriptures.
You are welcome. God bless you!