What do you do when you find your mind is roiling? when stress is overtaking? When circumstances are overwhelming?  I have 10 memorized, go to, Bible verses that help calm my restless mind.  Many of you know me well enough to know I’ve memorized many more, but these are the ones I go to most often.

Psalm 46:10  Be still and know that I am God!  I have this on a plaque in my office.  It reminds me to sit back, relax, and simply know His presence.

2 Timothy 3:16-17  All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God is thoroughly equipped for every good work.   These words are a reminder that God has ‘breathed’ every word of the Bible to us because He wants us to be thoroughly prepared and ready for His work.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your works acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.  I memorized this in college, at a time when I was making career and life choices.  It has served me well in the many years since when I’ve needed to make decisions.  Trusting Him has always paid off!

Psalm 20:7  Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we trust in the Name of the LORD our God.  Years ago, Ray and I were at a dinner theater in the Great Smokey Mountains.  This verse was carved into the mantle of the gigantic fireplace of the building.  It still resonates loudly for me…TRUST IN GOD!

Galatians 4:4  When the fullness of time had come God sent forth His Son…  Everything that happens to me, to you, around this world, is happening at the exact time God wants.  It was planned before time even began and other events have already occurred to make God’s plan work!

Esther 4:4  And who knows that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.  When I am questioning the plan, whining with a case of the why me’s, I sit back and reflect on this verse and Esther herself.  It reminds me that we do what we have to do because it is the right thing to do.

Luke 1:45  Blessed is she who has believed the LORD will fulfill His promises to her.  Although these words were directed to Mary, the mother of Jesus, they are for each of us who know the Promises and believe they are His Word to all people.

Philippians 4:8 Think on whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy and good.  If everything I’m thinking about falls into these categories then my mind is filled with peace and calm and relaxes into thinking about His plan for me.

John 3:17 For God sent forth His Son into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  This verse follows the most memorized verse in the Bible…God so love the world…  It’s a reminder that we are so loved that He does not want to condemn us!  From the beginning, He wants us ‘saved’.  He wants us with Him!  He wants us.

My favorite verses of all the Bible are Psalm 23.  It calms me, supports me, heals me, focuses me, and absolutely delights me.

The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures.   He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul.  He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.  Yea, though I walk through the dark valleys, I will fear no evil for You are with me.  Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil.  My cup runs over.  Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

I challenge you to commit at least 10 Scriptures to memory.  The calming effect this will have on your mind, soul, and spirit is almost like being cradled in His arms.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie