Quiet Your Mind: 7 Calming Bible Verses for Overthinkers

For The Mind That Doesn’t Stop!

We live in a world that never seems to slow down and if you are an overthinker like me, your mind probably rarely slows down either!

There’s nothing worse than lying in bed with your thoughts racing in a never-ending loop, thinking about all the “what ifs,” the “if onlys,” and the endless “maybe if I’s.” It’s like an endless mental carousel that can leave you feeling spiritually exhausted and, if you’re not careful, even distant from God.

But you’re not alone! God knows how much we struggle with restless thoughts, and His Word offers us a way out when we are trapped in our spiraling thoughts.

In this article, you will find a small but powerful collection of Bible verses that aren’t just spiritual theory, they are scriptures that can be used by anyone who struggles with mental spirals and overthinking. Along with each verse, you will also find some practical ways to apply scripture that I hope will help you as you try to build a more peaceful, Christ-centered mindset, one day and one thought at a time.

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Bible Verses for Overthinkers

1. When Your Mind Won’t Stop Racing

Overthinking Trap: “There’s too much happening, and I can’t make heads or tails of it all. I can’t find mental quiet anywhere.”

Verse: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” — Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

Faith In Action: God sees how your thoughts race without direction. When this happens, don’t try harder to find peace, just fix your focus on Jesus instead.

Try this exercise: In your journal, write Jesus’ name at the top of a blank page. Beneath it, list as many things as you can that you know are true about His character.

As you write each one, pause and breathe, letting each truth settle in your heart. Focus on these characteristics, remembering that God never changes, regardless of circumstances. Your peace isn’t found in solved problems, but rather in a mind that is fixed on Him.

After you finish your list, choose one characteristic that stands out most to you today. Spend a few moments in quiet prayer, thanking Jesus for that part of who He is and asking Him to help you rest in it. If you’re feeling anxious, place your hand over your journal, close your eyes, and repeat:
“Jesus, You are [that characteristic]. Let Your presence steady my heart and mind today.”

Check out our bible study on the Attributes Of God if you need ideas for your list!

Finish this exercise by listening to a worship song that reflects Jesus’ unchanging nature, such as “Cornerstone” by Hillsong Worship or “Way Maker,” by Leeland and let His peace fill your thoughts.

2. When Your Thoughts Feel Chaotic and Confusing

Overthinking Trap: “I can’t organize my thoughts—everything feels jumbled and overwhelming.”

Verse: “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” — 1 Corinthians 14:33 (ESV)

Faith In Action: Confusion doesn’t come from God. When your mind feels chaotic, recognize that this is a signal that you need to turn to God, where you will find calm and clarity. He gives you permission to step away from the noise.

Try this exercise:
Find a quiet space and open your journal to a blank page. Write down every thought, worry, or responsibility that feels overwhelming. Don’t worry about being neat, simply get everything onto the page.

Next, work through the list one item at a time. For each thought, say: “Lord, I bring [name the thought/worry] to You. Please bring order and peace to my mind.” Afterward, take a few slow, deep breaths. As you exhale, imagine releasing each concern to God. As a symbol of letting go, cross out each thought on your page as you surrender it.

Whenever your mind feels jumbled again, come back to this page as a reminder that you’ve given these thoughts over to God, and He is taking care of each one. Remember, the God who brought order to creation can bring peace to your mind, too.

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3. When Yesterday’s Mistakes Hijack Today’s Thoughts

Overthinking Trap: “I keep replaying what I did wrong over and over. What if I never find peace?”

Verse: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

Faith In Action: God doesn’t carry over your yesterday into your today, so why do you? If you have asked God for forgiveness, you can be confident that each sunrise is a reminder that He’s given you a new day and another chance.

When the sun rises tomorrow, stand by your window and receive God’s grace and mercy for the day! Remember, God isn’t waiting for you to be perfect; He loves you regardless of your past mistakes. And, if He has forgiven you completely, then isn’t it time you forgive yourself, too.

Let go of the replay button, and trust that His love covers you fully today.

4. When You Can’t Stop Striving Mentally

Overthinking trap: “I need to figure everything out right now, my mind won’t let me rest until I do.”

Verse: “But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” — Psalm 131:2 (ESV)

Faith In Action: Notice that in this verse, David speaks about actively calming his soul. When you feel like you need to figure everything out, picture yourself as a content child resting against your Father’s chest, no longer frantically searching for answers, and trying to fix everything yourself.

Try this exercise: Set three alarms on your phone spread out throughout the day. Label them as “Rest With Me”. When they sound, stop whatever you are doing for 60 seconds and repeat, “I don’t need to figure everything out right now, God is working even if I can’t see it”.

Before you go to bed, write in your journal, “Today I release the need to understand __________. God has everything under control.”

5. When You’re Stuck in Analysis Paralysis

Overthinking Trap: “I have too many options, what if I make the wrong choice?”

Verse: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” — Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)

Faith In Action: God doesn’t ask you to have perfect plans and your overthinking often comes from you shouldering a responsibility you were never meant to carry alone. When you commit to the Lord, you create a partnership with Him, and He promises to help you.

Try this exercise: Write down the decision you are struggling with, and underneath it write, “Father, I commit this choice to You.” If you find yourself analyzing again, read these words and recommit the situation to God. As you do, quietly pray: “Lord, guide my next step, no matter how small. Help me sense Your leading and trust Your timing.”

Remember, moving forward with God is far better than analysis paralysis without Him.

Try making a pros and cons list for each option you have, and ask God to highlight what matters most. Make a note of any scriptures, advice, or inner promptings that come your way after you’ve committed your decision to God.

One thing I’ve always struggled with is knowing which way to go. I’ve found that God’s guidance is often gentle and peaceful, rather than loud or urgent (notice how Jesus never seemed to be in a hurry! 😊).

Pay attention to whether you feel a sense of peace, clarity, or repeated nudges towards a particular option. Pay attention to scripture that comes to mind, advice from people you trust, or a deepening conviction. If you feel unsettled or confused, it’s okay to take a step back, pray again, and wait.

6. When Worring About the Future Consumes Your Present

Overthinking Trap: “But if I stop worrying, something terrible might happen that I could have prevented.”

Verse: “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” — Matthew 6:27 (ESV)

Faith In Action: As a compulsive overthinker, I’ve had to learn that worrying about tomorrow won’t change its outcome, but it will steal your peace for today. So remember to trust God with your future and what you can’t control instead of letting it overwhelm you.

Try This Exercise: When you start worrying about the future, create a new page in your journal with a 2-column table. Title the left column “My Outbox”. Title the right column “God’s Inbox.” Write down every worry or concern you have on the left-hand side of the page. Once you’ve listed them all, pray over each worry and then write “Sent! In God’s hands” in the right column as you release that specific concern to God.

When you’re finished, close your journal and listen to a worship song like “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong United. Let the lyrics remind you that even when you can’t see the next step, God is already there, holding your tomorrow in His hands.

7. When Your Thoughts Need Divine Filtering

Overthinking Trap: “I can’t stop these negative thoughts, they just keep coming and coming.”

Verse: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

Faith In Action: You have more power over your thoughts than you realize! When a negative thought comes up, don’t dwell on it. Instead, replace it with a positive scripture that speaks to your situation. For example, if you think “I’m not good enough / smart enough / brave enough,” counter it with “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Try This Exercise: Create a “Thought Capture” strategy in your journal. Draw a line down the middle of the page. On the left side, write down negative thoughts as they come up. On the right side, write a corresponding truth from Scripture that directly counters that thought. Whenever you notice a negative thought coming back, replace it with the truth from scripture that you recorded in your journal.

Final thoughts

God is with you in every mental storm, so when your thoughts race or spiral, go to Him. Let his peace, promises, and presence steady your heart and mind. He wants to give you rest, clarity, and wisdom, so trust him to quiet your mind and fill it with his peace.

You are never alone in your overthinking. God’s peace is just a thought and a prayer away!