(When I wrote this post this morning I felt God leading me to write it. However, when I was just about to publish it I realized I already published another one on this title. Maybe God wants us to take another look at fear today through His Word.)
There is so much fear going on in the world today. Some fear is good as it prompts us to take action. Other fears, if allowed to fester, will grow, and cause great despair. I was writing to God this morning about an issue which was causing me to be fearful. Suddenly God put a thought into my head “Do not be afraid, I am in control”. It got me thinking about all the fearful posts I see on social media. Fear of COVID, the economy, rights being taken away, and fear of the future.
But what does God say about fear. I did a word search in my Bible app and found fear is mentioned hundreds of times in the Bible. Here are some of them.
Philippians 4:6 and 7 (NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
The key phrases are do not worry, pray about it, thank God and you will experience peace. It is that simple. God knows what you need but He wants you to talk to Him about it so you can realize how much He has done for you. He will then give you peace.
1 John 4:18 (NLT) Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
Perfect love expels all fear.
Psalms 56:3 (NLT) But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
I remember a simple video someone made at the Dells Christian Campground when I was a child. It was about a child who got lost at the campground and then remembered this verse. The video and the verse have stuck with me all these years. It is something we can claim whenever we are afraid. (see https://northwoodsgirlblogging.com/dells-christian-campgrounds-my-memories/)
Psalms 34:4 (NLT) I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Praying about our fears is so freeing!
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
God is with us. He strengthens us and He helps us with our fears. He is already victorious over our fears.
Joshua 1:9 (NLT) This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Do not fear or become discouraged because God is with us wherever we go.
Psalms 23:4 (NLT) Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
Sometimes we feel like we are in the darkest of valleys. We do not have to fear those times. God is there to protect and to gives us comfort. (see https://northwoodsgirlblogging.com/stress-about-corona-psalms-23/)
Matthew 6:34 (NLT) “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Jesus’ simple words do not fear about tomorrow. In another teaching Jesus talks about how He cares for the sparrow so do not fear Jesus will take care of our needs. (see https://northwoodsgirlblogging.com/gods-eye-on-the-sparrow/)
Psalms 118:6 (NLT) The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?
The Lord is for us. We have nothing to fear about what people do or say to us.
Psalms 46:2 (NLT) So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Nor will we fear snowstorms, cold temperatures, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. God is with us!
Psalms 49:5 (NLT) Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me?
Why indeed?
Psalms 112:7 (NLT) They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them
The bad news could be a positive test for COVID, or it could be cancer. The Lord will care for us and our loved ones. I know, I was sick with COVID for three weeks and could not work. However, God took care of all my needs during that time.
Proverbs 3:24 (NLT) You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.
Ah, such peace to know God’s got what is giving us fear. Sleep well, know we have nothing to fear in Jesus.
And Finally,
Romans 8:38 (NLT) And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
Nothing can separate from God’s love! Nothing! So, stop fearing!
There are so many other verses mentioning fear in the Bible. I could write a book (I am sure others have) about not being fearful. I will not, though, because God has given me only these verses and I like to keep things short for my readers. What are your fears, and have you given them to God yet?
Below are some books about fear from Christianbook.com Home By clicking on any of these links and making a purchase I may earn a small percentage of your purchase at no extra cost to you. This helps keep this website running.
| Hope: Living Fearlessly in a Scary World By David Jeremiah Step into the truth and start leading the fearless life God created you to enjoy! In today’s unpredictable and contentious world, many people are crippled by anxiety about danger, disease, death, and more. Jeremiah explores the top 10 fears holding us captive—and shares the secret to facing them down with hope. 208 pages, softcover from Tyndale. |
| Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear By Max Lucado Each sunrise seems to bring fresh reasons for fear.They’re talking layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the housing market, upswings in global warming. The plague of our day, terrorism, begins with the word terror. Fear, it seems, has taken up a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversized and rude, fear herds us into a prison of unlocked doors. Wouldn’t it be great to walk out?Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, or doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, where you could trust more and fear less.Can you imagine your life without fear? |
Can’t wait to check out some of those books!
Fear is the biggest challenge for me. I am taking baby steps for now as I work myself up to one giant leap. Thanks for sharing. I am encouraged.
Ah! That made me smile! I was just reading Phillipians 4:6-7 this morning and it hit me beautiful hard. What a beautiful thing to now read it from someone else heart felt words
I always like the saying that fear and faith cannot reside in the same home.
Everyone needs to read this, especially during these trying times! Fear can really hold us back.
Fear can be such a debilitating feeling but when we’re able to overcome these fears it truly is freeing. Thanks for sharing.
I think I saw somewhere that the phrase “Do not be afraid” is in the Bible 365 times. So every day, we are reminded to not be afraid!
Such comforting verses in a time like this!
I love that you wrote about this. It’s a good reminder that we don’t need to fear when we have God’s love and protection.
I love your “Do not be afraid. I am in control” from God. Those are the words I live by.
I have had a lot of worry lately. I have been praying over it. This was just the reminder message I needed. Thank you!
A couple of these book suggestions look like interesting reads!
Fear prevented me from doing so much in my life. When I converted to Catholicism and found God’s unconditional love, I felt this sense of support that even if I failed or dark days came, I’d still have someone with me, helping me through. His love gives me so much strength and courage.
Very moving and inspirational.
Freedom from fear would be great.
Oh! How beautiful! God always cares for us and does the best to us. We just need to believe in what He says. Thank you for sharing:)
Fear can be so destructive. I am working on this daily.
The antidote to fear is trust…and it’s so hard! We, as humans, want everything to be in our control and fear happens when we can’t do that. To fully surrender is so difficult, but in the end it feels so good to be lifted by God’s love!
Such calming scriptures. Faith over fear!
I love this, Alice! Faith over fear. Beautifully written. Thanks for sharing!
Fear is an extremely negative emotion in so many ways!
Great reminder to pray about and give up our fears to God! God always has our back!
Great reminders!
Fear is paralyzing. I had to face mine about a decade ago and work through them, all with God’s guidance. So freeing to emerge from that battle victorious.
Those sound like some great book to check out – tackling fear is a big step to take!
Great reminders & book suggestions!