Anxiety is a common occurrence. Who, throughout their entire life, has never felt anxious? We all know what it feels like. In fact, studies suggest that Western societies are becoming more anxious in recent times—so much so that it’s even been called the “Anxiety Epidemic”.

While the causes of this are almost definitely varied and deep, and would probably warrant a whole article in of itself, there are a few easy-to-memorize Bible verses and saint quotes that, if one meditates on daily, reads aloud, and falls back upon, will surely find a greater sense of stability and security moving forward into the rest of their lives.

So, let’s glean from the words of our holy saints—our holy swordbearers in this great fight of life.

Saint Quotes: #

1. “If certain thoughts bother you, it is the devil who causes you to worry, and not God, Who, being the spirit of peace, grants you tranquility.” — St. Padre Pio #

2. “Do not have any anxiety about the future. Leave everything in God’s hands for he will take care of you.” — St. John the Baptist de La Salle #

3. “Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.” — St. Clare of Assisi #

4. “Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.” — St. Padre Pio #

5. “Lay all your cares about the future trustingly in God’s hands, and let yourself be guided by the Lord just like a little child…” — St. Edith Stein #

6. “The greatest obstacles to holiness are discouragement and an exaggerated anxiety…” — St. Faustina #

7. “Let nothing disturb you, nothing cause you fear. All things pass; God is unchanging. Patience obtains all. Whoever has God needs nothing else; God alone suffices.” — St. Teresa of Avila #

8. “Stop listening to your fears. God is your guide and your Father, Teacher, and Spouse. Abandon yourself into the divine bosom of His most holy good pleasure. Keep up your spiritual exercises and be faithful in prayer.” — St. Paul of the Cross #

9. “Anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall the soul—sin only excepted…When our heart is troubled and disturbed within itself, it loses the strength necessary to maintain the virtues that it had acquired. At the same time, it loses the means to resist the temptations of the enemy, who then uses his utmost efforts to fish, as they say, in troubled waters.” — St. Francis de Sales #

10. “And of what should we be afraid? Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discovered what we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannot overcome us unless we so choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with the sign of the most Holy Cross.” — St. Catherine of Sienna #