Overcoming Worry, Stress & Fear: How to Trust God Instead of Emotions

I remember a night when my mind wouldn’t stop racing. Worries stacked on top of each other—things I couldn’t change, fears of the unknown. I wanted to trust God, but my emotions felt louder than my faith. Have you ever felt this way?

When stress, fear, or worry take hold, they can feel impossible to shake. But God doesn’t ask us to figure everything out on our own—He calls us to trust Him.

Bible Verses on Overcoming Fear & Stress

God’s Word is filled with truth to guide us through fear and anxiety. Here are a few powerful verses to remind us where to place our trust:

• Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
• Matthew 6:34 – “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
• Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

What Happens When We Let Emotions Take Over?

There have been times when my emotions dictated my choices more than my faith did. Maybe you’ve been there too. Fear, stress, and worry have a way of taking over, but what happens when they do?

Stress Becomes Our Decision-Maker Instead of Faith

Stress often leads me to grasp for control, convincing myself that I have to carry everything on my own. Instead of seeking God’s guidance, I find myself driven by pressure—trying to meet expectations set by the world rather than those set by the Lord.

·    Fear Keeps Us Stuck, Unable to Move Forward

Years ago, I took on a challenge—biking 180 miles in two days. I was 50 pounds heavier than my usual weight, and my strength wasn’t where it used to be. But I love challenges, and I had two options:

Let fear stop me before I even started.

Push forward, do my best, and be proud of the effort.

I chose to ride. I trained—though not as much as I should have. And in the end? I finished dead last. The police officer escorting the last rider followed behind me, and when I finally reached the finish line, he flashed his lights and sirens in celebration. A crowd cheered me on.

A few months later, someone told me they would never have done it—for fear of being last. But fear didn’t get to dictate my story that day, and because of that, I experienced something unforgettable. God was with me in every push of the pedal, in every moment of exhaustion, and in the overwhelming encouragement I received.

Worry Pulls Our Focus from God’s Presence

When I’m working on The Maple Falls, worry creeps in constantly. What if I can’t make it profitable? What if I’m wasting my time? Am I good enough for this?

Worry takes up space in my heart and mind, pushing out peace and pulling my attention away from the Lord. It can feel all-consuming, making it hard to see God’s hand in the present moment. But when I recognize it for what it is—an emotion, not truth—I can redirect my focus back to Him.

How to Trust God in Difficult Times

What If We Shifted Our Focus?

Instead of Dwelling on Fear, We Replace It with Truth

One night, I was spiraling—letting worry run wild in my mind. My husband gently stopped me and said, “We don’t know what will happen. Right now, you’re creating a situation that doesn’t even exist yet.”

That stuck with me. How often do we build entire stories in our minds based on what-ifs instead of what is?

The Bible is filled with truths that counter our fears. One of my first Bible studies was “30 Truths for Women”, and I needed it then just as much as I need it now. Sometimes, we have to repeat truth until it’s deeply rooted in us.

Instead of Focusing on the Unknown, We Remember God’s Faithfulness

Waiting on God’s timing is hard. I remember in my 20s and early 30s, watching my friends and siblings get married while I prayed for God to bring the right person into my life. I doubted, I questioned, and I wondered if He had forgotten me.

But in my mid-30s, God answered that prayer. My husband is more than I ever could have asked for—not perfect, but loving me through all of my emotions, stress, and imperfections.

That season of waiting reminds me that God’s faithfulness isn’t always immediate, but it is certain. When fear creeps in about the future, I look back at His past faithfulness and remember—He is always working, even when I don’t see it.

What’s a Bible verse, prayer, or habit that helps you refocus on God when stress takes over? Let’s encourage each other in the comments!