Fear Not

Proverbs 29:25 ESV

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Did you know the line “fear not” is written 365 times in the Bible? Isn’t it ironic that it’s listed as many times as there are days in our year? We can use this as a reminder that every single day of the year we can live without fear when we trust in the Lord.

I know how hard it is to live without any fear or worry. It is a human emotion. I think God gets that too. He knows everything about us, including the times we worry and fall into fear. Instead of picturing him mad at us for this, picture him wanting to comfort us as a loving Father would. When we feel worry or fear, we can go to Him in prayer and ask Him for help. God doesn’t want us to doubt Him. He wants us to know that He is there for us through thick and thin. I find reading scripture is the most powerful way to speak into these scared parts of us, so here are some of His reminders:

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Psalm 94:19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.

Psalm 27:1 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?

Closing Thoughts:

Our greatest comfort is and will always be Jesus. He knows what it is like to live in this world and the struggles it can bring. In John 16:33, he says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Hallelujah!

What is there to fear when He has already won the battle and we get to spend eternity in heaven with him? I pray that we receive the peace and joy that God provides today and that it overrides any fear or worry remaining in us.

Philippians 4:6-7

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.