Bible Verses About Fear

When you're afraid right now

For the moment itself — the racing heart, the shallow breath, the thing about to happen.

• "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."

  Psalm 56:3

  When, not if. Trust here is something you do while afraid, not instead of being afraid.

• "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

  Psalm 27:1

  Two questions with no answer supplied. Say them out loud and let the silence do the work.

• "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

  Psalm 46:1

  Ever-present — already here, before you remembered to ask.

• "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

  Psalm 34:4

  Sought can be small. It can be this — sitting still, reading a line.

• "And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."

  Deuteronomy 31:8

  Before you and with you at once. Whatever you walk into, it is not unvisited ground.

When you're afraid of what's ahead

For the diagnosis, the decision, the move, the conversation you keep rehearsing.

• "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

  Isaiah 41:10

  Four promises in one breath. Take them one at a time, slowly.

• "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

  Joshua 1:9

  Said to a man taking over an impossible job from Moses. Courage was commanded, then company was promised.

• "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

  Proverbs 3:5-6

  You are not required to see the whole road before you take the next step on it.

• "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

  Matthew 6:34

  Permission, not rebuke — to set down a weight that isn't due yet.

• "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

  Jeremiah 29:11

  Spoken to people in exile, with seventy years still to go. Hope here is long, not quick.

When you're afraid of people

For fear of judgment, of failing publicly, of what someone with power over you might do.

• "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?"

  Psalm 118:6

  Mere is doing a lot of work. It shrinks the room back to its actual size.

• "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."

  Proverbs 29:25

  A snare catches you by the foot — it doesn't kill you, it stops you moving. That's what this fear does.

• "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

  2 Timothy 1:7

  Written to a young leader who was likely timid. Paul doesn't shame him; he reminds him what he was given.

• "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

  1 John 4:18

  Fear is driven out, not argued out. It leaves as love arrives.

• "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"

  Romans 8:31

  Not a claim that no one opposes you. A claim about who is standing on your side of it.

When fear has been with you a long time

For fear that has become a habit — the flinch before the news, the dread with no clear object.

• "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed."

  Psalm 34:4-5

  Radiant is a slow change, made of many small lookings-up.

• "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

  1 Peter 5:7

  You may have to throw the same fear a hundred times. That is allowed, and it still counts.

• "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

  Romans 8:15

  Fear is described as a former owner here. It may still knock. It no longer holds the deed.

• "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

  John 14:27

  This peace doesn't wait for the situation to resolve. That's the whole difference he's naming.

• "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD."

  Psalm 31:24

  Take heart is an action. Some days it's the only one available, and it is enough.

Questions people ask