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When fear takes hold, you might feel completely alone, abandoned, and unable to think clearly. And the truth is, you'll likely face it in some form sooner or later. Maybe it's the fear of a big exam, losing a loved one, or the worry that comes with a heavy responsibility. Whatever it looks like for you, fear has a way of creeping in and clouding your peace.
The promises of Jesus Christ in the Bible to comfort and console have given hope and peace to people throughout many centuries of history. So, the Word of God and God's presence help you overcome fears, live freely, and enjoy life.
Top 5 Bible verses to overcome fear
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 NIV
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NIV
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4 NIV
"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
Below are 20 Bible verses with short reflections to help you fully embrace courage, peace, and freedom from fear.
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DAY 6
Understanding fear from a biblical perspective
The Bible mentions two different types of fear.
1. The first is beneficial and should be encouraged. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. This fear does not necessarily mean being afraid of something. It reflects a respectful awe of God, His power, and glory while acknowledging the proper respect for His wrath. In other words, the fear of the Lord is a full recognition of who He is, which comes through knowing God, His qualities, and His Word.
"Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands." Psalm 112:1
2. The second type of fear is harmful, and you must overcome it. It leads to torment, is obsessive, binding, and enslaving. When the opinions of others seem more important to you than the opinions of God, you are experiencing this fear. For example, fear of people contradicts hope in the Lord, as it elevates human judgment above God's authority. Additionally, excessive anxiety about life's challenges, such as finances and family, robs us of peace in our hearts.
The fear of God means respect, reverence, and obedience to God. But fear in the form of anxiety, panic, or uncertainty is not from God. God does not give people a spirit of fear or weakness.
Top 20 Bible verses to overcome fear
The biblical advice "do not be afraid, do not be dismayed, do not be terrified" occurs 365 times in the Bible — one for every day of the year. The true faith of Christians is in trusting God even in tough circumstances. So, here is a collection of the most famous verses from Scripture to affirm that He is the Most High and can take away your fear.
Fear of the unknown
"Fear not, 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 NIV
1. When you encounter difficulties and dangers, these words of God can give you faith and strength. God is faithful. If you can always rely on Him in your heart, He will be with you, strengthen your faith, help you overcome difficulties, and deliver you from danger.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 NIV
2. Earthly worries will always be with you throughout your life. You worry about finances, health, or your safety. And for a while, some earthly things can provide security, such as insurance or savings. But only the Lord can give true peace to your heart, no matter what the circumstances around you.
"I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4 NIV
3. These are the words of King David. He shares that he turned and prayed to the Lord, and He answered, filling his heart with peace and tranquility. God hears, and He is attentive. Turn in prayer like King David.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NIV
4. The Lord justified the call to courage by promising Joshua His constant presence.
The Israeli commander was probably familiar with feelings of weakness, self-doubt, and fear. Perhaps he thought of giving up even before the conquest of the land. But he listened to the Lord's words, and God led him through a difficult period of conquest. The Lord is strong enough to guide you through the unknown future.
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." Psalm 56:3
5. David wrote this psalm while he fled into a cave to avoid Saul, who wanted to kill him. Like David, you can cast your cares upon the Lord and show trust in your God. This verse is a declaration of faith and confidence. Use it as an affirmation.
Fear of failure
"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
6. No one is perfect, and God understands this. As Christians learn God's love through their experiences of loving one another, they become free from fear. Let us love Him because He first loved us. In this experience, there is no room for fear; those who truly experience it realize that their love for God originates from His love for them.
"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
7. This verse does not instruct you to avoid fear altogether. Instead, it emphasizes that your inner nature, as created by God, is not based on fear. Paul encouraged Timothy to face challenges not with anxiety and despair, but with strength, love, and common sense. God gives you a spirit of power!
"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 NIV
8. Moses spoke these words to the people of Israel as he handed over leadership to Joshua before entering the Promised Land. Joshua and the Israeli people could draw strength and confidence from the Lord's assurance that He would always be with them. Quote this verse in moments of anxiety, uncertainty, or difficult decisions.
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
9. This verse is a source of hope, comfort, and assurance for all who are going through difficult times. When everything around us seems unstable, He is a constant and reliable support. Pray this verse to strengthen your faith.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
10. The Letter to Philippians is a "resource for suffering." It speaks of Christ in your life, Christ in your mind, Christ as your goal, strength, and joy through suffering. As a believer, you can rejoice and experience God's peace, casting all your cares upon Him, if you are always "by prayer and petition with thanksgiving," and make your requests known to God.
Fear of rejection
"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
11. Here, you can see an expression of faith, strong and sincere, freeing the believer from fear of earthly disasters. Salvation is in the Lord. He is the firm foundation of life.
Even when people do not accept, betray, or scare you, the Lord is stronger than anyone else. While people are temporary and limited in their abilities, the Lord is unchanging and eternal.
"God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" Hebrews 13:5-6
12. If people can fail and forget, the Lord is always near, within prayer distance. Say confidently, 'God is my helper, I will not be afraid!' Proclaim it aloud. The Lord reminds you of man's transience, mortality, and weakness compared to the eternal God.
"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love, he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
13. You can also use this verse as art therapy, drawing it or running it through your mind. If you feel rejected or unnecessary, then the Lord needs you. He rejoices in you, saves you, and is like a strong warrior. He will protect you and surround you with love like a loving father.
"He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:2
14. This passage from the Psalms is a conviction and a kind of affirmation. The Lord is a stronghold, a symbol of stability, reliability, and strength. You can also sing the psalms. Singing will help you remember them better and remind you that you put your hope in the Lord.
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." Proverbs 29:25
15. Those who fear people (their opinion or attitude) become dependent on this fear and behave unworthily. In this sense, you set a snare for yourself. But those who trust in the Lord are free from people's opinions, and the danger of "falling into a snare" doesn't threaten such believers.
Fear of death
"Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 NIV
16. The body and soul of man, created by God and the object of His care, are more important than anything material (food, clothing). Jesus certainly doesn't call His followers to idleness or "carelessness." He only warns them against unnecessary worry and anguish, manifesting their lack of confidence in God.
Jesus, like a loving father, will help with your immediate needs. Entrust him with tomorrow and your life in the future. He is the creator and knows every day of your life.
"Who of you, by worrying, can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" Luke 12: 25-26
17. These words of Jesus are part of His teaching about trusting in God and calling us not to worry about life. Worrying about more is useless if we cannot influence the little things. In prayer, bring your experiences to God instead of carrying them alone.
"We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18
18. One of the ways God transforms a person and brings about spiritual renewal is through difficulties.
Paul refers to his sufferings as short-term, light afflictions, no matter how difficult. He believes they pale in comparison to the eternal glory that awaits him. Therefore, the apostle encourages believers to focus not on what is visible, but on what is invisible. Stop and look deeper into the temptation to live only for material things: what has actual, eternal value?
"The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" Psalm 118:6
19. This verse proclaims: when the Lord is near, even death is not terrible, because people don't have the final say over your life or soul. God doesn't abandon you — even in mortal danger, in illness, before surgery, or in the last moments of life. Even if someone threatens, persecutes, or even kills, only the body can suffer, but your soul is safe with God.
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4 NIV
20. Do not be afraid, even in the most challenging situations, for the Lord is near, even if you cannot see Him. The rod and staff in this psalm symbolize the shepherd's strength and protection. As a good shepherd, God will protect and guide you, "his beloved sheep." This verse can also mean that when a Christian nears the end of life, the Lord is still present, bringing peace and readiness.
Practical steps to apply these verses
For Christians, reading the Bible is like a piece of bread in times of famine or a sip of water in the heat. A Christian who regularly reads the Word of God grows spiritually and gains a deeper understanding of the meaning of life. To overcome fears and worries in your life, practice the following things:
Meditate on Bible passages: Seek the deeper meaning of what you read. Try to "chew" on the text and find out what message this passage carries for the Church community and every human being.
Sometimes, it's enough to focus on one word or sentence and stay with it, remembering the form and essence. Additionally, attend a Bible study with other Christians where you can come together and support each other.
Memorize passages from Scripture: This step will allow you to know heart-specific passages from the Word, help you learn the Scriptures more deeply, and grow in them. Then, use Scripture in hard times.
Write down your thoughts (devotional): Don't rely on your memory, unless you have a great one. Just because God spoke to you through a particular word doesn't mean you'll remember it forever. So, write down the insights you gain from reading the Bible. "A short pencil is better than a long memory."
Listen to Christian book summaries in the Headway app to overcome fear
How to start a new life with God? How to get rid of fear, anxiety, guilt? What to listen to when it's hard, when there's loss or depression?
Christian literature encourages and aids spiritual growth. Be sure to download the Headway app to listen to or read some of the best self-help books. The app has a selection of books on Christian living and Christianity.
The best ideas and insights every day, in just 15 minutes a day, that you can listen to anywhere. Fill your mind the right way. It's easy with the Headway app.
FAQ
Why am I still afraid if I'm a Christian?
You live in a human body, in a broken world, and no matter how strong your faith is, you still experience natural emotions like fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. That's part of being human. Like everyone else, you face stress, pressure, and unexpected changes. But here's the difference: you can choose how you respond. You can let fear control you or face it with courage, faith, and the truth of God's Word.
How do I pray when I'm scared?
The most important aspect of prayer is an open heart and sincerity. Faithful prayers aren't memorized phrases; they come from your thoughts and feelings. Open yourself to God in prayer. Be honest and share your specific fears. Express gratitude for His protection, support, presence, and promises. You may also include passages from the Bible that affirm that the Lord will protect and be close to you.
Is fear a sin?
The Bible identifies two distinct types of fear. The first type is beneficial, while the second is harmful and can be disturbing. The first one is the fear of the Lord, which resembles a respectful awe of God. In contrast, the second type includes earthly fears, anxieties, and excessive worries about life circumstances that rob you of your peace. It's important to note that distrust of God can be considered a sin.
What Bible verses help overcome fear?
Scriptures like Isaiah 41:10, John 14:27, Joshua 1:9, Philippians 4:6-7, and the whole book of Psalms give great support and encouragement in moments of fear and anxiety.
How do I walk in faith instead of fear?
The Savior who came into this world also experienced anxiety, particularly before His death. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He faced deep despair, fear, sadness, and horror. Jesus took upon Himself the pain and anxiety that are part of the human experience. And after His resurrection, He brought hope to humanity.
Although suffering, fear, sadness, grief, and even hopelessness still exist in people's lives, the experience of pain gained a new perspective after Christ's suffering and death. Now, there's an understanding that there is a way out and that hope remains; this is not the end. Even death is a transition to new life. With this hope, you also receive confidence and support from God.
