Wednesday, 7 October 2026
Where in the Bible? No. 7
Today's theme was Anxiety. Here are the five verses, where each one sits between Genesis and Revelation, and what it means.
Verse 1 · What anxiety is
Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:25 · verse 16,745 of 31,102, 53.8% of the way through the Bible · Old Testament, Wisdom & Poetry
What it means
Worry is heavy and drags a person down, but a kind, encouraging word can lift them up. The proverb recognises how much our words affect other people's spirits. A little encouragement goes a long way.
Where it fits
This saying is from the Solomon collection of Proverbs (10:1–22:16), part of the Old Testament wisdom books. It sits about 53.8% of the way through the Bible. Many of its sayings concern speech.
Verse 2 · What anxiety looks like
‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord replied, ‘you are worried and upset about many things.’
Luke 10:41 · verse 25,405 of 31,102, 81.7% of the way through the Bible · New Testament, Gospels
What it means
Martha is busy preparing a meal while her sister Mary sits listening to Jesus. When Martha complains, Jesus gently says she is anxious about much, but Mary has chosen what matters most: time with him.
Where it fits
This is in Luke 10, about 82% through the Bible, during Jesus' journey to Jerusalem. The story comes straight after the parable of the good Samaritan.
Verse 3 · Where anxiety leads
The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Matthew 13:22 · verse 23,562 of 31,102, 75.8% of the way through the Bible · New Testament, Gospels
What it means
The seed among thorns stands for people who hear God's word but let worries and the lure of wealth choke it. The message is not rejected outright but crowded out by other concerns.
Where it fits
This part of the sower's explanation is in Matthew 13, the parables chapter of the first Gospel. It comes about 76% of the way through the Bible.
Verse 4 · The better way
Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 55:22 · verse 14,755 of 31,102, 47.4% of the way through the Bible · Old Testament, Wisdom & Poetry
What it means
After pouring out his distress, David turns to encourage others: hand your burdens over to God, and He will hold you up. God will not allow those who trust Him to be finally shaken. The New Testament echoes this in 1 Peter 5:7.
Where it fits
This verse comes near the end of Psalm 55, David's psalm about a friend's betrayal. It lies about 47.4% of the way through the Bible, in Book Two of the Psalms.
Verse 5 · How to respond
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 · verse 29,449 of 31,102, 94.7% of the way through the Bible · New Testament, Pauline Epistles
What it means
Paul tells the Philippians to turn worry into prayer. Rather than carrying anxiety alone, they should bring every request to God with thankful hearts. The next verse gives the promise: God's peace, beyond all understanding, will stand guard over their hearts and minds.
Where it fits
This comes in the last chapter of Philippians, a short Pauline letter roughly 95% of the way into the Bible. Paul wrote it while imprisoned, which makes his calls to rejoice and not worry all the more striking.
What Scripture says about anxiety
- Anxiety weighs heavily on the heart.
- Worry can distract us from what matters most.
- Worries can choke God's word in our lives.
- God invites us to hand Him our burdens.
- Turn worries into prayers, with thanksgiving.
Take it with you
What is one worry you can turn into a prayer right now?
A prayer
Father, You know the worries I carry. I hand them to You now; help me trust that You care for me and will hold me up today.