When’s the last time you felt afraid? Did you know that even Jesus felt fear before He went to the cross? Today, we’re going to talk about the topic of fear. This is an emotion that has hit everyone–yes, everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re walking through a valley or a mountain top season, fear can still show up. But don’t worry, we’ll be exploring the questions: what does the Bible say about fear, and what does God say about fear in the Bible? Through Bible verses on fear, you’ll learn what the scriptures say about fear, why the Bible keeps saying “Do not fear,” and how you can overcome fear. Seriously: because of Jesus, who overcame death, hell, and the grave, you can overcome fear today.
What is Fear According to the Bible?
When we think of fear of fearful moments, we often imagine something negative. Think sweaty palms, shaking, a rush of worry, a thought of dread, or even crippling anxiety. Did you know that the Bible acknowledges those? Multiple people in the Bible even wrote about the effects fear had on their bodies. At the same time, the Bible gives us a deep and rich understanding of how to overcome fear through Jesus Christ.
Defining the Two Kinds of Fear
As you’re discovering what the Bible says about fear, it’s helpful to name the two kinds of fear the Bible talks about. The Bible generally distinguishes between positive fear and negative fear.
The negative fear is the fear we all know. Things like being afraid of the dark, being afraid of death, or being afraid of evil. Fear that looks like timidity, anxiety, and overwhelm. This is the kind of fear that holds us back from loving God, receiving His love, and loving others.
The positive fear is what the Bible calls “the fear of the Lord”. You can think of this type of fear like reverence for God or a deep, intense respect. This type of fear looks like reverent awe, an awareness of God’s majesty, power, and holiness, and the humility to remember that He is God and we are not.
The Bible shows us that all humans face fear. Because we live in a fallen world, we all face things like suffering, sudden tragedies, grief, and the unknown. However, the Bible offers us the ability to be unafraid. So, now that we’ve answered, “What does the Bible say about fear?”, let’s discover how you can overcome fear through dialogue with God and Bible verses for fear.
How Do I Overcome Fear?
So, when fear shows up, what should you do? As you’re discovering what the Bible says about fear, you may be wondering about the practicals. How do we actually overcome fear? If we’re honest, hearing the phrase, “have no fear,” isn’t always helpful, but living out the Bible’s instructions to overcome fear are simple and practical.
1. Confess your fear to God: The first step in overcoming fear is to acknowledge that it’s even there. Recognizing fear is as simple as telling the Lord, “I am afraid about _______” or “I feel anxious when ______”. When you name your fear and confess it to God, you're bring that fear into the light. The Bible encourages us to do this in scriptures, for example, Psalm 56:3, it says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.”
2: Remind your soul of who God is: Fear tends to shrink when our awareness of God grows. The great Bible verses for overcoming fear always point us back to who God is. He is Savior, Redeemer, Father, and Friend. He is faithful, loving, long-suffering, and always good. When you remember God is with you, it changes things in your mind for the better.
3. Give your fears to God & choose to trust Him: Turning your fears over to God and choosing to trust Him isn’t just a good suggestion – it’s at the core of overcoming fear. But, how do you trust someone whom you can’t hold, touch, or audibly hear? You pray out loud, you cast your cares on Him, and you increase spiritual disciplines like prayer, reading the Bible, pursuing community, and worshipping Jesus.
4. Speak Biblical truth over yourself: Did you know you can meditate on the Bible? Renewing your mind is essential to overcoming fear. Reading scriptures for peace, Bible verses to help with anxiety, or scriptures about God’s love for you are great ways to help you ditch fear and receive God’s love.
5. Take baby steps of faith: Sometimes, when you’re learning what the Bible says about fear, it can feel intimidating to hear stories like David and Goliath and then think about the fear you’re experiencing in your situation. However, even David faced fears, some big and some small, way before he ever encountered Goliath. So remember, you don’t need to take a giant leap; you just need to take the best next step. You can schedule that appointment, have that hard conversation, or confess something you’re struggling with to a friend. And don’t forget: God is with you!
6. Pursue Community: One of our four pillars at the Everyday Faith podcast is a concept called: Pursue Community. We believe that as you start with faith, embrace your mission, commit to obedience, and pursue community, you can live out your faith each day. As you’re discovering what the Bible says about fear, you’ll find that community is a big deal in overcoming fear. Not only is community good for our souls, it’s also good for our spiritual health. And when you’re in community, you don’t have to face your fears alone!
Now that you’ve learned some of what God says about fear and some tips to overcome fear in your life, we’re going to look at Bible verses about fear and scriptures to help you overcome fear.
Bible Verses for Fear
This is our favorite part of the blog: showing you Bible verses for fear so you can get free and move forward. Here are some Bible verses about fear and scriptures to help you overcome fear.
The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? - Psalm 27:1
Psalm 27 helps us answer the question: What does God say about fear in the Bible? If the Lord is our light and salvation, what do we have to be afraid of? Just like how we search for a light switch in a dark room, God is our light that lights up the darkness.
Learn more about clinging to God in tough moments: Can We Have Joy & Peace in Difficult Times?
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand - Isaiah 41:10
This Bible verse for fear comes from the book of Isaiah. God doesn’t just tell us not to fear; He actually gives us a reason why. He promises to uphold us, help us, and strengthen us. This is good news for those wondering what the Bible says about fear.
There is no fear in love – but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love - 1 John 4:18
Bible verses about fear often give us the love of God as a remedy. Jesus’ love is the most awesome thing we’ll ever experience. His love helps us overcome fear, especially the fear of punishment.
Learn more about how to overcome the fear of punishment: 4 Things to Do When You Mess Up
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me - Psalm 56:3-4
Let’s be honest: even though some of us know Bible verses for fear, sometimes fear still comes up. Thankfully, this scripture to overcome fear reminds us that we will experience fear sometimes. But thankfully, this Psalm also reminds us to pause and put our trust in God.
God always invites us to put our trust in Him. Learn more about how to trust in God in our blog: How to Trust God & Not Lean on Your Own Understanding
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.- Philippians 4:6
Have you ever felt anxious before? Do you know God has, too? Jesus was fully God and fully man when He came to earth and He knows what anxiety feels like. In His time of greatest anxiety, Jesus prayed to the Father, and He strengthened Him to endure the cross.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-control. -2 Timothy 1:7
This Bible verse for fear is one of the most popular scriptures to overcome fear. When you receive Jesus, you receive the Holy Spirit, and He equips you with power, love, and self-control.
Related Post: What Does the Bible Actually Say About Self-Control?
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you - Deuteronomy 31:6
Bible verses for fear remind us of God’s character, and they remind us to be strong and courageous. Even though we face real threats, real dangers, and real scenarios that are scary, God has promised to be with us and help us on the journey.
Hear a real-life story of God taking a scary situation and turning it for His glory: From Addict to Evangelist: How a Near-Death Experience Changed Everything
Why Does the Bible Say “Do Not Fear”?
Now that you’ve discovered what the Bible says about fear, you may be wondering why God says in the Bible, “do not fear”. So, let’s dive into it:
1. God knows that fear paralyzes us: When we’re in a place of fear, it can paralyze us and our faith in God. It’s hard to love God and love others when we’re consumed by fear. The repetition of the phrase, “do not fear,” is meant to free us and encourage us to lean on God and release our fears to Him. That way, we can love others well, love God well, and receive His love that crushes fear.
2. God wants us to remember Him, not fear: As you’re learning what God says about fear in the Bible, these scriptures often state a strong warning against fear and then reminds us of God, instead. Jesus has promised to help us, heal us, and be with us. His love and His presence are more powerful than fear, every time!
3. Followers of Jesus default to love, not to fear: Even though the disciples faced persecution, imprisonment, and constant threats, they encouraged those in the Church not to be afraid. Fear isn’t our starting line; love is. Anxiety isn’t our starting line; peace is. Though we may experience moments of fear and anxiety, God helps us to return to a place of receiving His love and sharing it with others.
A Prayer for Those Struggling With Fear
Father, I praise You because Your love is stronger than fear. Thank You for ministering to my mind and rewiring my neural pathways to trust You, instead of turning to fear. Give me grace to feel Your presence and experience freedom from thoughts of doom and evil things. Even though I may have trouble in the world, I pray that You would give me wisdom, discernment, and peace for the days ahead. When I am afraid, I will trust in You. When I am overwhelmed, I will seek Your face. I pray that You would command your angels concerning me and surround me like a shield against all harm. I honor You for being a good Father who delights in His children. Thank You for protecting me and taking care of me. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A Song to Overcome Fear
Music is a powerful tool to help you in your walk with Christ. A Christian artist named Steffany Gretzinger recently made an album where she is singing through the Psalms. In Psalm 121, we hear the phrase, “The Lord will be my guardian.” You can renew your mind with the scriptures and overcome fear by listening to this song when you’re feeling afraid.
Conclusion
As you can see, the Bible doesn’t ignore our fears—it meets them head-on with truth, love, hope, and grace. God knows exactly what you’re walking through, and He’s not asking you to face it alone – He wants to walk with you. Whether you’re battling anxious thoughts or simply learning to trust Him more, it’s important to remember: God’s perfect love drives out fear. So, take courage knowing that Jesus has already overcome the world, and through Him, you can overcome fear too.
