Fear has a way of paralyzing us when we need courage most.
Whether it’s fear of the future, fear of death, fear of sickness, fear of failure, fear of what others think, or fear of change, anxiety can hijack our thoughts and steal our peace. Some fears are rational responses to real threats, while others are imagined catastrophes that may never happen. Either way, fear left unchecked becomes a prison that keeps us from living the life God intends.
The Bible addresses fear more than almost any other human emotion, not by dismissing it as weakness but by offering something stronger: faith in a God who is present, powerful, and protective. The command “do not fear” appears hundreds of times in Scripture, always accompanied by reasons why we don’t have to be afraid. These aren’t hollow reassurances but solid truths about God’s character and His promises.
These verses speak directly to the fears you face, offering both comfort and courage. They remind you that perfect love casts out fear, that God has not given you a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-discipline, and that even in the darkest valleys, you need not be afraid because He is with you.
Bible Verses About Fear
1. 2 Timothy 1:7 – God Has Not Given Us a Spirit of Fear
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
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2. Isaiah 41:10 – Do Not Fear, for I Am With You
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.
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3. Psalm 56:3 – When I Am Afraid, I Put My Trust in You
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
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4. Joshua 1:9 – Do Not Be Afraid; Do Not Be Discouraged
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
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5. 1 John 4:18 – Perfect Love Drives Out 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.
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6. Psalm 23:4 – I Will Fear No Evil
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.
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7. Deuteronomy 31:6 – Do Not Be Afraid or Terrified
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.
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8. Proverbs 29:25 – Fear of Man Will Prove to Be a Snare
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
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9. Psalm 27:1 – The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation
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?
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10. Isaiah 43:1 – Do Not Fear, for I Have Redeemed You
But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
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11. Philippians 4:6-7 – Do Not Be Anxious About Anything
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.
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12. Psalm 118:6 – The Lord Is With Me; I Will Not Be Afraid
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
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13. Matthew 10:31 – Don’t Be Afraid; You Are Worth More
So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
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14. Psalm 46:1-2 – We Will Not Fear, Though the Earth Give Way
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
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15. Hebrews 13:6 – The Lord Is My Helper; I Will Not Be Afraid
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
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16. Isaiah 35:4 – Be Strong, Do Not Fear
Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
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17. Psalm 34:4 – He Delivered Me From All My Fears
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
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18. John 14:27 – Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled
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.
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19. Psalm 91:5 – You Will Not Fear the Terror of Night
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.
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20. Romans 8:15 – You Did Not Receive a Spirit of Slavery to Fear
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
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21. Psalm 112:7-8 – They Will Have No Fear of Bad News
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
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22. Isaiah 44:8 – Do Not Tremble, Do Not Be Afraid
Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.
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23. Psalm 3:6 – I Will Not Fear Though Tens of Thousands
I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.
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24. Matthew 6:34 – Do Not Worry About Tomorrow
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
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25. 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast All Your Anxiety on Him
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
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26. Zephaniah 3:17 – The Lord Your God Is With You
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.
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27. Psalm 56:11 – In God I Trust and Am Not Afraid
In God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?
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28. Isaiah 12:2 – I Will Trust and Not Be Afraid
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
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29. Deuteronomy 31:8 – The Lord Goes Before You
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
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30. Luke 12:32 – Do Not Be Afraid, Little Flock
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
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31. Psalm 27:3 – Though an Army Besiege Me
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
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32. Proverbs 3:25-26 – Have No Fear of Sudden Disaster
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.
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33. Isaiah 54:4 – Do Not Be Afraid; You Will Not Be Put to Shame
Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
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34. Psalm 55:22 – Cast Your Cares on the Lord
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
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35. Romans 8:31 – If God Is for Us, Who Can Be Against Us?
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
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Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Fear
Scripture’s approach to fear is remarkably compassionate and practical. God doesn’t condemn us for being afraid or tell us to just snap out of it. Instead, He addresses fear by pointing us to truths bigger than our circumstances: His presence, His power, His promises, and His love. The repeated command “do not fear” isn’t a rebuke but an invitation to trust someone more powerful than whatever threatens us.
What’s striking is how often God’s command to not fear is immediately followed by a reason: because I am with you, because I will strengthen you, because I will never leave you. Fear loses its grip when we remember we’re not facing threats alone. The issue isn’t whether dangers are real but whether God is bigger than those dangers. Faith doesn’t eliminate fear by denying reality; it overcomes fear by anchoring to a greater reality.
The Bible also distinguishes between godly fear (reverence and awe of God) and destructive fear (anxiety and terror that paralyze us). Fearing God properly actually frees us from fearing everything else improperly. When you understand His power, love, and sovereignty, lesser fears fade in comparison to His greatness.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, I bring my fears before You today. You know what keeps me awake at night, what makes my heart race, and what fills my mind with anxiety. I confess that fear often feels more real to me than Your promises, and I need Your help to trust You more than I trust my worries.
Thank You that You have not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-discipline. Thank You that Your perfect love drives out fear and that You are always with me, even in the darkest valleys. Help me to remember that if You are for me, nothing can ultimately stand against me.
When fear tries to paralyze me, remind me of Your presence. When anxiety steals my peace, help me to cast my cares on You. When I’m overwhelmed by what might happen, anchor me to the truth of who You are and what You’ve promised.
Give me courage to face what scares me, trusting that You will strengthen me, help me, and uphold me with Your righteous right hand.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.