All of us experience times of anxiety and discomfort from time to time. We can’t experience true joy without first having experienced true pain, just like we can’t experience true peace and comfort without going through hardships of anxiety or worry first. 

The Bible is clear that Christ should be our source of peace and comfort, but what else does it say? And what are some ways that we can gain peace and comfort? 

What does the Bible say about peace and comfort?

• We aren’t promised to experience peace and comfort all the time. 

There’s no guarantee in the Bible that followers of Christ will live a worry-free life. The book of John says that we will experience persecution and times of darkness, just as Jesus Christ did during His time on Earth. 

However, the Bible is clear that during times of worry or darkness, God will be with us. Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

• We should bring our worries to God through prayer.

God doesn’t want any of us to suffer through times of worry alone. Instead, He wants us to come to Him in prayer and ask for peace and comfort. None of us can magically cure our anxiety, but we can ask God to help bear the burden and lighten the load of it. 

Philippians 4:6 (ESV) says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” 

God wants us to bring everything to him, not only on our good days but also on our anxious days. 

First Peter 5:7 (NIV) says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 

• We can rejoice even through times of anxiety or discomfort. 

Even when we’re struggling to find peace and comfort, we can still choose to worship God. Even through trials and struggles, God is always worthy of our praise and worship. 

First Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

While rejoicing through anxiety won’t cure our anxiety, it will help us feel less alone. 

• God can give us rest.

Although there’s no promise that we won’t go through times of anxiety, the Bible does say that God can provide us with rest. 

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) says, “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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.” 

What are some ways to gain peace and comfort?

• Spend time with God. 

Just like our physical bodies need sustenance in order to survive, so do our souls. We can nourish our souls by spending time in God’s Word as often as we can. Spending time with God can help bring us peace and comfort. 

Matthew 6:33 (ESV) says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

• Stay in community. 

Many of us tend to isolate ourselves when we’re struggling with fear or anxiety. It often feels safer for us to go through dark times alone. However, all of us need companionship and community. 

We can’t survive without companionship because we were designed to be in community with others. We crave to be in a relationship with others, even if it feels uncomfortable sometimes. Spending time with others has physical benefits such as lower rates of anxiety and depression and better emotional regulation skills. 

God doesn’t want us to suffer in silence or suffer alone. He tells us in the Bible over and over again to be in community and to be a good neighbor to those who need one. 

Galatians 6:2 (ESV) says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” 

• Spend time in nature.

Spending time in nature is an incredibly effective way to turn down the volume of anxiety and fear. A few benefits of spending time outside include reduced depression, more mental energy, a healthier immune system and improved sleep. 

• Prioritize self-care.

Self-care is not selfish. Our bodies are not our own; they are temples built to worship God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We should treat our bodies as such, including spending time caring for ourselves. 

A few ways to gain peace and comfort through self-care include prioritizing our needs, caring for our physical bodies and spending time volunteering.