November 21, 2024
Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.—Isaiah 43:1–2
The phrases “do not fear,” “fear not,” or “be not afraid” appear over 70 times in the Bible. The frequency of these expressions indicates that we should expect that every day life will present circumstances and situations which can generate fear, anxiety, and worry. Meanwhile, the word “faith” appears over 400 times in the Bible. As Christians, we are called to live by faith, and we are given the power and promises in the Bible to help us to overcome fear through our faith.
The Bible refers to two types of fear. The first is the fear of God, which represents reverence and proper worship for God’s power and glory, and an understanding of and respect for His sovereignty. The Bible teaches us that “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). A part of our love for God should be a healthy respect for Him, like a child respects his father. Fearing God is a form of worshipping God, and granting Him the reverence and respect that He deserves. “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
The Bible tells us to avoid the second type of fear, which refers to a state of anxiety or dread or alarm. When the Bible tells us to not fear or be afraid, it is instructing us to not allow fear, anxiety, or fretfulness to rule our lives or take root in our hearts. God’s people are called to be people of faith. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).
However, we do at times experience fear and anxiety in this life, and to overcome it we have to continue to trust in God, as we stand on His promises in His Word. When you understand that your heavenly Father loves you so much that He gave His only Son for your redemption (John 3:16), you can know that He is going to take care of you and everything that concerns you. His Word says, “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” (Philippians 4:6–7).
Throughout the New Testament, we read many times where Jesus tells His followers and the people to not be fearful or afraid. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. … Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). “Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1). Our faith in the presence of fearful circumstances is rooted in our faith and trust in God and His love for us.
God’s Word tells us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psalm 46:1–2). If we have received Jesus as our Savior and are doing our best to live according to His commandments, we can take refuge during troubling times in His unfailing presence.
No matter what we face in this life, no matter how distressing and fearful the circumstances appear, Jesus has promised to always be with us (Matthew 28:20). God didn’t promise that we would never face trials, tribulations, or afflictions during our time on earth, but He promised to deliver us out of them all (Psalm 34:19). Jesus told His followers, “In this world you will have trouble [or tribulation]. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Sometimes God may allow things to happen to us to try our faith, to see how determined we are, how much patience we have, and to build our endurance. That’s why we are to “count it all joy” when we face trials, knowing that the trial of our faith produces patience and endurance (James 1:2–3). But the Lord is able to keep us through everything we face in life, and He has promised to care for us. Jesus said that every hair on your head is numbered, and not even a sparrow falls to the ground outside God’s care. “So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows” (Matthew 10:29–31).
The Lord is our deliverer in times of trouble, our fortress where we take refuge, our strong tower in which we are kept safe (Proverbs 18:10). His Word says that “whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1), and we know that’s the best protection possible from anything we face in life.
In the Bible, the Lord tells us, “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” (Isaiah 41:10). And in the Psalms, we read: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?” (Psalm 27:1).
No matter what you face, trust in the Lord and His promise to care for you. He never fails, no matter what the conditions, no matter how dire or desperate the situation, no matter how hopeless the circumstances. Bring all your cares to the Lord in prayer and trust that He will answer. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4). So whatever you’re facing, stand on God’s promises in His Word to overcome fear with faith. Follow the example King David set when he exclaimed, “In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid” (Psalm 56:11).
Place all your faith and trust in the Lord, knowing that the Lord will take care of you, no matter what you face or what happens. “The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18). God is sovereign over our lives and this world, and we know that He “causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Stay close to the Lord and continually commit all your ways to the Lord, asking Him to guide and keep you, and to bless and protect you. God’s Word says, “Men ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Jesus said, “Watch and pray” (Matthew 26:41).
Times of trouble and anxiety are one way the Lord uses to draw us close to Him, as we seek His presence and bring all our cares and burdens to Him. The Bible instructs us to “never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:17–18). Our best protection through the storms of life is to keep the faith and stay “strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12).
Prayer, worshipping the Lord, and claiming God’s promises are excellent ways to overcome fear. Memorizing faith-building scriptures is also an important way to dispel fear with faith, such as Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. … Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:1–4). Or “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid” (Psalm 56:3–4).
You can also make an intentional effort to put all other thoughts out of your mind and focus on God’s love and His Word and power. His Word tells us that God “will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on Him, because they trust in Him” (Isaiah 26:3).
Dear Jesus, help us not to worry or fear, but only to fear You and love You. You said, “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge” (Proverbs 14:26). Help us not to worry about any of the waves and winds and billows that we face in life. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You, Lord, the author and finisher of our faith, and to place all our trust in You (Hebrews 12:2). Thank You for Your care for us, Your provision and presence in every moment of our lives. Amen.
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o’ershaded,
Sweetly my soul shall rest.
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe from all worry and care,
Safe from the world’s tribulations,
Nothing can harm me there.
Jesus, my heart’s dear refuge,
Jesus has died for me;
Firm on the Rock of Ages,
Ever my trust shall be!
—Fanny Crosby, adapted
From an article in Treasures, published by the Family International in 1987. Adapted and republished November 2024. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.
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