When God Says Fear Not

Have you ever taken the time to really look at the “fear not” Scriptures?

Being someone who frequently experiences anxiety, I have. But recently, I read the first sentence of an anxiety devotional that stopped me in my tracks. What was it, you wonder?

Each “fear not” is immediately followed by a reason—a reason given by God Himself. And that reason almost always points directly to His character and who He is. Do I think that’s a coincidence? Not at all.

When God tells us not to fear, He isn’t just giving a command. He wants us to turn our eyes toward Him and away from ourselves and our circumstances.

For me, the challenge with these verses wasn’t in what they said—it was in how I was reading them. I had been seeing them as a command, a “to-do list” for dealing with fear. But now, I'm not so sure that’s how God intended them.

I believe He wanted them to give us comfort—like any loving parent would comfort a frightened child. Think back to a time when you were afraid as a child. Who did you turn to? If you were blessed to grow up in a loving family, you didn’t try to make the fear disappear on your own. You ran to a parent or grandparent, and they likely said something like, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here. You’re okay.”

Isn’t that exactly how God speaks to us?

Let’s look at some examples:

• Genesis 15:1 — “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

  Because God is our protector and our reward, we don't have to be afraid.

  
  

• Genesis 26:24 — “Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you.”

  God is present with us and blesses us, so we can live without fear.

  
  

• Deuteronomy 31:6 — “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified… for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

  God is ever-present and faithful. This should be reassuring and help extinguish fear.

  
  

• Isaiah 41:10 — “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.”

  God is our strength, helper, and upholder. Isn't that what we're looking for when we're afraid and helpless?

  
  

• Isaiah 41:13 — “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.’”

  We shouldn't be afraid because God is our helper.

  
  

• Isaiah 43:1 — “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

  God is our Redeemer and personal Lord. If we have been redeemed by the Most High God, then what do we have to fear?

  
  

• Matthew 10:31 — “So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

  We have no need for fear because we are highly valued by God.

  
  

• Luke 12:7 — “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

  God is intimately aware and values us deeply.

  
  

• Luke 12:32 — “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”

  God is pleased to give and generous toward His children.

  
  

• John 14:27 — “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.”

  God is the giver of peace; erasing our fear.

  
  

• Revelation 1:17 — “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.”

  God is eternal and sovereign over all.

  
  

Whenever God tells His people not to fear, He almost always follows with a truth about His character:

• His presence: “I am with you”

• His protection: “I will rescue you”

• His strength: “I will uphold you”

• His value of you: “You are worth more than sparrows”

• His faithfulness: “I will never leave you”

• His sovereignty: “It is I”

• His peace and love: “My peace I give you; perfect love drives out fear”

When we meditate on these verses in this way, they stop feeling like a “to-do list” and start feeling like the gentle reassurance of a loving Father saying:

“I am with you. You are safe. You are valued. I’ve got this.”

And isn’t that exactly the message we need to hear when anxiety starts to creep in?

THINK ABOUT IT

When you read “fear not” in Scripture, do you tend to hear it as a command or as comfort? Why?

What happens when we focus more on God’s promises than on our emotions or situations?