Fear is a common human emotion that we all experience at times. Many verses in the Bible speak to the issue of fear and provide wisdom and reassurance about how to deal with it from a Christian perspective.
God tells us not to fear
One of the most frequent commands in the Bible is to “fear not” or “do not be afraid.” God knows that fear is a natural human response, especially in the face of danger, uncertainty, or perceived threats. But He reminds us repeatedly that He is in control, and we do not need to let fear overwhelm us.
For example, Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Other verses telling us not to fear include Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 35:4, Matthew 10:28, John 14:27, and many more.
Fear is a lack of faith
The Bible teaches that having fear often indicates a lack of faith. We are not fully trusting in God’s perfect plan, goodness, power and protection over our lives. If we truly believed what the Bible says about God’s sovereignty and love for His children, we would not succumb to fear.
Jesus scolded His disciples for being afraid in the storm, saying “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:40). Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith triumphs over fear: “By faith Abraham…was not afraid” and others “were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:23, 35).
Fear of God is good
The Bible differentiates between unhealthy fear of circumstances and people, versus healthy “fear of the Lord.” We are told the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10). This fear means awe, reverence and deep respect for God. It motivates us to live obediently because we don’t want to displease our Heavenly Father.
Proverbs 9:10 explains this well: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” So this type of “fear” is very positive.
Anxiety comes from not trusting God
Many Bible passages address anxiety, worry and restlessness, which often stem from fear. The antidote is trusting in the Lord. Isaiah 26:3 promises, “…in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.” We also read in 1 Peter 5:7 to “cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
Psalm 94:19 brings comfort: “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” God understands our human anxieties and provides peace and consolation to those who rely on Him.
Fear can lead us to sin
Human fearfulness and lack of faith can provoke sinful attitudes and actions. Abraham lied about Sarah being his wife because he feared what the Egyptians might do (Genesis 20:2). Moses complained that he was not eloquent enough to speak for God because he feared public speaking (Exodus 4:10). Israel failed to enter the Promised Land immediately because the people feared the giants in the land (Numbers 14:9).
Many Bible stories like these illustrate how fear, if left unchecked, can lead to greater sins and wrongdoing. We must remember to rely on God instead of our own weak human nature.
Perfect love casts out fear
First John 4 contains a powerful reminder that God’s perfect love removes our reasons for being afraid. Verse 18 declares: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
When we fully comprehend how deeply God loves us as His children, we do not need to have slavish fear of punishment. We can rest in His grace and mercy instead.
God gives us a spirit of power and self-control
God doesn’t just say “do not fear” without giving us the resources we need to combat fear. Second Timothy 1:7 assures us He has given us His Holy Spirit who produces power, love and self-control – all the opposite of a fearful spirit.
And Isaiah 40:31 promises that those who “wait for the Lord” and renew their strength in Him “shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” God renews our courage when we wait on Him instead of giving in to fear.
Prayer and Scripture combat fear
Talking to God in prayer is an antidote to fear. When we bring our anxieties and worries to God, we receive divine peace and perspective in return. Philippians 4:6-7 guides us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Reading, reciting and meditating on Bible verses is another powerful weapon against fear. Psalm 56:3 affirms “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Memorizing and internalizing God’s promises allows His words to renew our minds and calm our fears.
Courage comes from God
Human courage in the face of fear does not come from within ourselves, but from God. He is the one who equips us to meet life’s challenges. Deuteronomy 31:6 declares: “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread…for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Second Corinthians 12:9 also reminds us: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” When we feel weak and afraid, we can ask God for courage and trust that His strength will be enough.
Do not worry about the future
Fear and anxiety often focus on what might happen in the future. But Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:34, “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” God asks that we trust Him with the future, instead of playing out worst-case scenarios in our minds.
James 4:14 also helps provide perspective: “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” Fear loses its grip when we remember the brevity of life and entrust our futures to the eternal God.
God protects us from evil
The world contains much evil and danger that could instill fear if we only focused on it. But God provides supernatural protection. Psalm 91 offers great comfort in this regard. Verses like “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” (v. 4) remind us that God shields His people from harm.
We do not need to be paralyzed by fear of evil, knowing that God is our rock, fortress and deliverer (Psalm 18:2).
Fear shows lack of knowledge of God
The more we know the nature and character of God, the less we will be inclined to fear. Those with only a vague, distant view of God can easily become fearful about whether He will actually protect, provide for, and care for them in hard times.
But Scripture reassures that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). The more time we spend learning about God’s goodness and miraculous works, the less we will respond in fear to life’s uncertainties.
God brings comfort and peace
In fearful times, God promises to be close to us and provide supernatural comfort. Psalm 34:4 declares, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” God brings genuine peace that “transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
Isaiah 51:12 also reminds us, “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid… that you have forgotten the LORD your Maker?” We often feel afraid because we take our eyes off God; remembering Him brings peace and courage again.
Examples of courage in the Bible
Many people in the Bible provide inspiring examples of facing fears with faith in God. Daniel courageously prayed openly to God despite laws against it and the lions’ den he faced as punishment (Daniel 6). Esther bravely risked her life to come before the king unsummoned in hopes of saving her people (Esther 5).
The apostles demonstrated courage through persecution, imprisonment and martyrdom because their faith in Christ overcame their natural fear of death and suffering.
Hebrews 11 honors the faith of many Old Testament heroes who “[quenched] the fury of the flames” and “whose weakness was turned to strength.” Meditating on examples like these can encourage us to face our own fears with similar courage and trust in God.
Christ has overcome fear
As Christians, we can take great comfort that Christ has definitively conquered one of our greatest fears – death. Hebrews 2:14-15 tells us Jesus shared in our humanity that “through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”
Because Jesus rose victorious and promises eternal life to His followers, we do not need to fear death or what might come after it. We have hope of eternal security in heaven, where there will be no more fear.
God disciplines those He loves
Sometimes we fear God’s discipline which can feel unloving or too harsh when we are facing difficult circumstances. But Hebrews 12:6 assures us that “the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” His perfect love seeks to cleanse us from sinful habits by disciplining those He loves as His children.
So rather than fear God’s discipline, we can be reassured that it flows out of His faithful love for us and desire for our holiness.
Fear and anxiety produce inner turmoil
Fear and anxiety damage lives when left unchecked. Inner turmoil and restlessness result when we do not trust God’s purposes and provision. Psalm 38:18 captures this emotional turmoil: “I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.” Unconfessed sin often lies at the root of feelings of guilt, anxiety and fear.
By contrast, Isaiah 32:17 promises, “the fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” As we walk in holiness and closeness with God, our fears are replaced with Christ-centered peace.
Trusting God’s sovereignty and goodness
At the heart of a life free from fear is trust in God’s complete sovereignty and steadfast goodness. He knows everything, controls everything, and allows nothing into our lives that is not for our growth and ultimate blessing. Romans 8:28 reassures us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”
Psalm 33:11 explains that God’s plans cannot be thwarted: “But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” When we recall truths like these about God’s wise rule, our fears fade in the light of His trustworthiness.
Rely on God’s strength
Fear can feel overwhelming in our human frailty and weakness. But we have the powerful God of angel armies fighting for us. Psalm 118 reminds us that “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is for me.”
When we feel too weak to control our fears, we must ask God for strength and “to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). His strength is made perfect in our human weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Praise and thanksgiving counter fear
Making the choice to praise and thank God in the midst of fearful circumstances may feel impossible or even dishonest. But Scripture tells us that focusing on God’s character builds our faith and counters despair.
Isaiah 12:2 urges, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” Thanking God for His salvation and strength even before seeing victory is a powerful form of spiritual warfare against the enemy’s tactics of fear.
Holy Spirit brings peace and self-control
In fearful times, we can ask the Holy Spirit to fill us afresh with His powerful presence and gifts. His fruits of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22) conquer fear’s damage.
Isaiah 11:2 describes the Spirit’s empowering gifts which include “the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” These Spirit-imparted gifts equip believers to withstand fear’s deceit and walk in confidence.
God cares about our present fears
It’s easy to read biblical heroes’ stories of courage and think God cared about their situations but perhaps not ours. But the Bible contains many reassurances of God’s intimate care for His children and desire to deliver them from fear.
Isaiah 43:1 comforts believers, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Matthew 10:29-31 promises God’s tender care: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care…So don’t be afraid.”
God cares deeply about the personal fears we are facing today, not just those in biblical times. We can boldly ask Him for help and deliverance.
In conclusion
This overview provides a sampling of the many encouraging truths the Bible offers about facing fear with faith in God. From His commands not to worry, to powerful promises and examples of courage, Scripture gives us a rich resource for fighting back against fear’s unhelpful control over our lives.
In a world full of instability, we can turn to God’s unchanging character. When we feel overwhelmed by the future, we can trust in His sovereign plans. By God’s power and Spirit, believers can live with confidence rather than giving fear the final say.