21 Peaceful Bible Verses For Stress At Work

21 Bible Verses For Stress At Work

Are you facing drastic changes in your career because of our country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic? Are you back to the office, working remotely, or still unemployed? If you have returned to work, how have the new safety rules and regulations implemented to protect you, your colleagues, and customers affected your workplace environment?

As if work was not stressful enough before, we now have an invisible enemy, seeking to steal our health, income, and mental sanity as it adds to our anxiety. I am praying these Bible verses for stress at work can help.

The coronavirus hit my career right between the eyes. Being a Licensed Aesthetician (a fancy name of someone who does skincare treatments), working in a medical office, I have always been blessed with a secure job. I have worked for my current physicians for over 18 years and have weathered economic recessions and depressions without losing too many patients in the process. The lull was usually short, and recovery came fairly quickly.

This was not the case with Covid-19 and its impact on our business. For the first time in my career, I was furloughed from my job and was not sure when I would be able to come back to work, if at all. 

Being on furlough gave me time to think and consider some of the challenges that come with having what our governor deemed a “nonessential job.” Because my income is critical to supporting the needs of our family, for us it was considered highly essential. Most of you reading this would consider your jobs essential to the livelihood and sustainability of your families, as well.

Stress That Comes from the Unknown

Once we returned to work after two months, our practice had changed completely. While we are still blessed with a strong patient base, we have had to implement entirely new safety regulations. Because my work requires me to be close to the patient I am treating, I am in a mask for the entire eight-hour shift.

For most of the day, I am required to wear an N-95 mask, which is uncomfortable and difficult to breathe in, although the safest for myself and my patient. The level by which we disinfect our room remains strict, but now includes cleaning every surface in the room from chairs to light switches between every patient. Because I am concerned, not only for my patient’s safety but for mine as well, I am hyper-vigilant with this time-consuming step. 

Every day, workers are faced with the challenge of going back to their jobs with an increased risk of exposure to a potentially deadly virus or not paying their bills. From teachers to waiters to dentists and grocery clerks, socially distancing is next to impossible. 

Some employees are not concerned in the least about the risk to their personal health, while others are scared to death. The reality is we don’t know much about this virus, how it spreads, and who is at risk of dying versus who will remain asymptomatic.  Our personal view of the situation tends to be myopic, so we often struggle with the empathy necessary to understand another person’s very real fears. 

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Psalms 56:3 CSB

Along with the stress that comes with our normal workload, our economy has sustained a huge hit, causing everyone to be impacted financially. Many businesses have closed their doors permanently; others remain closed indefinitely. Millions of employees are unable to return to work either because their job no longer exists or because they are waiting for their return-to-work orders.

Some are unable to work because their mental health has suffered, leaving them unable to deal with the pressure and risks of their job. Some are being forced to make the difficult decision to change careers to lower the risk to their personal safety or to be better able to provide for themselves. While those who have their jobs and the ability to return to work are grateful, the truth is, the stress is real and, at times, extremely difficult to manage. 

How to Combat Stress at Work

While I know this paints a grim picture of our workplace environment today, we as believers are presented with a remarkable opportunity to share the hope and love of Christ with others who are feeling overwhelmed and fearful in face of uncertainty.

Our God has never been caught off guard by any of the chaos we face in this world. Because he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, we can be assured that he has fully equipped us to handle the stress of the unknown in our workplace. His word is alive and active just as much today as it has always been. 

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 CSB

Whether our increased stress is coming from a lower income or no income at all, a stressed-out co-worker, an overly-agitated boss, or fear of public contact, the Lord promises to give us the strength and peace needed to continue to honor and trust him in the workplace. In these days of instability, the Lord is our Rock, and we can stand on the stability of the promises found in his Word. 

Because our jobs are vitally important to our lives and well-being, God has given us many scriptures to encourage us in them. Here are some verses that have helped me keep my eyes on the Lord as I have returned to work. I pray they will offer you encouragement as well.

21 Bible Verses For Stress At Work

Peace

1. “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition 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.” Philippians 4:6-7 CSB

2. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 CSB

3. “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let you heart be troubled or fearful.” John 14:27 CSB

4. “Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?” Luke 12:25-26 CSB

5. “I sought the LORD, and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears.” Psalms 24:4 CSB

6. “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you, he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalms 55:22 CSB 

7. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 CSB

Provision

8. “He gives strength to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Youths may become faint and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:29-31 CSB

9. “Let the favor of the LORD our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” Psalm 90:17 ESV

10. “And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 CSB

11. “Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure-pressed down, shaken together, and running over-will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38 CSB

Protection

12. “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 CSB

13. “Protect me, God, for I take refuge in you.” Psalms 16:1 CSB

14. “May the Lord bless you and protect you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.”  Numbers 6:24-26 CSB

15. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalms 91:1-2 ESV

Purpose

16. “For I know the plans I have for you: – this is the LORD’s declaration- Plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 CSB

17. “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God-who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly-and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 CSB

18. “I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with my eye on you, I will give you counsel.”  Psalms 32:8 CSB

19. “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 ESV

20. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.”  2 Timothy 4:7-8 CSB

21. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 CSB

Prayer For Stress At Work

Dear Lord.

You are our Provider, our Peace, our Protector. You hold the plans for our lives in your hands.

As we face these days of uncertainty, as well as concern for our health and that of our families, we look to you. We choose to lay our worries and cares at your feet. We know your eyes are always on us.

No matter what is going on around us, the chaos, and the storms that rage, we choose to look to you always. We praise you for your perfect plan for our lives.

We willingly lay our burdens at your feet as we praise you for your goodness and mercy. Please give us wisdom as we look forward to our futures. Help us to love others and share your love with them. May we encourage our colleagues as we shine your light in our workplaces. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Related Articles:

• Arming Ourselves Spiritually
• 12 Bible Verses About Peace
• Waiting on God? 10 Scriptures to Pray While Waiting

What Are Your Favorite Bible Verses For Stress at Work?