“Fear not!”

Some say that this command is talked about around 100 times in the Bible. Some others say that this command is mentioned in the Bible approximately 365 times; one for every day of the year. Some say that “fear” is mentioned in the Bible over 500-600 times. Most say that it is the most repeated command given by God in the Bible. I’m honestly not 100% sure how many times we’re told “fear not” in the Bible or how many times the Bible mentions “fear” in general. However, it is clear that it is quite significant and that God is constantly trying to remind us of these comforting words. “Fear Not”.

It is said to us in many different ways. “Fear not, for I am with you”. “Do not fear”. “Whom shall I fear”. God is essentially telling us the same thing. The fact that it is used in many different ways shows that the idea of “fear not” is adaptable to any situation that we are faced with.

It is something that was told to Abraham numerous times. It was told to David as he was on the run from king Saul. It was told to Daniel as he was sitting in the lion’s den. An angel appeared to Mary and Joseph and told them, “Do not be afraid.” Every one of these people were going through different situations, but there was one common thing that was told to them . . . “Fear not”.

I once heard someone say that fear is a thief. It is often responsible for stealing our hope. For taking away the dreams and aspirations that we have and creating the illusion that we can’t go for them. If we’re not careful, we can pick up an unhealthy habit of being fixated on our problems and negative circumstances.

“What if it causes my financial issues to worsen?”

“What if I get made fun of?”

“What if I fail?”

These questions and so much more are common in our lives. A lot of us focus too much on what could go wrong instead of what could go right and the number of lives that could possibly be changed. These questions, thoughts, and insecurities are placed in our minds to keep us from getting where we need to be. If they are repeated over and over, they will be fueled and the problem will increase. However, these thoughts are not placed in our minds by God.

Fear is a thief.

The Apostle Paul once wrote a letter to Timothy to encourage and help him on his spiritual journey. One specific thing he told Timothy, which could be considered the most important part of the letter, is that God has not given us a spirit of fear. Instead, He gives us power, love, and self-discipline. God doesn’t want us to live fear filled lives. He wants us to be brave, be bold, and to know that He will always be with us and we have no reason to fear.

We won’t always know what God is going to do, when He is going to do it, and how He is going to do it. However, if we put our full trust in Him and commit to a life that is intended to glorify Him, then we don’t have to know what God is going to do, when He is going to do it, and how He will do it. We can just trust that He will eventually make it happen. That’s how God works. We shouldn’t fear that our blessings won’t come, we should be willing to wait to receive them.

If we know that the devious spirit of fear does not come from God, then it is obvious who it comes from . . . the enemy. Satan is very strategic when it comes to the evil spirits that he tries to use against us. The spirit of fear is his secret weapon and it attacks our faith. It is specifically purposed to derail believers from their purpose. If allowed, it can have the power to keep you from reaching your destiny. It can cause you to keep your eyes focused on what is around you instead of focusing on looking up.

Now hear me out for a second. The fear that the enemy tries to place in our minds is intended to make us afraid to do something. In fact, Merriam-Webster’s dictionary definition of fear is, “an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger”; or simply put, “the feeling or condition of being afraid”. Keep in mind, the feeling of fear comes from the enemy, and it is intended to make us afraid to do something. We also know that fear is a thief and a thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy like Jesus tells us in John 10:10. If Satan is sending fear our way and trying to discourage and destroy us from doing something, what does that tell us about the thing that we are trying to do?

Think about it. Satan’s ultimate goal is to tempt us to sin and to keep up as far from God and His promises as possible. So if we are trying to accomplish a goal or do something we feel is significant, why would Satan try to make us afraid if he didn’t think that it would lead to something magnificent and spiritual in our lives? There must be some blessing that we are about to receive that Satan doesn’t want us to have. I find it ironic that fear is Satan’s secret weapon, yet he tries to place it on us out of the fear that he feels himself. He’s afraid of us getting closer to God because he knows that he has no power to do anything to God.

Faith conquers fear.

Isaiah 41:10 essentially tells us to fear not because there is nothing to fear, for God is with us. If you skip ahead some chapters and go to Isaiah 54:17, it says that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. Although Isaiah is speaking these words, it is the Lord who is breathing them into him. These are promises. I have always loved when God tells us in the Bible specifically, “Fear not, for I am with you.” Nothing more, nothing less. The main reason that we shouldn’t fear, is simply because He is with us. Isn’t that wonderful!

Fear and its cousin worry have no power over faith. God has already orchestrated and planned events, circumstances, and people in our lives that lead us to where He wants us to be, which is where we need to be. All he needs is a son or daughter who will say yes. A son or daughter who is willing to take the leap of faith and accept the challenge ahead.

Although God gives us many promises, he does not promise that we will live a fear-free life. The enemy will constantly attempt to keep us from fulfilling our purpose by sending his spirit of fear. We will all experience it at one point or another. However, it is not about having the feeling of fear, but it is about not allowing it to overcome you and cause you to stop. Don’t miss out on your blessings because of fear.

Go ahead and start that business that you desire. Go ahead and tryout for that school sports team. Go ahead and share the gospel with someone even if there’s a chance they may not take it lightly. You never know what God has in store for you. But there’s only one way to find out, which is through, not around.

One quote I heard that I absolutely love says, “We give the enemy access to our lives in fear, and God access to our lives through faith.” When we fear, we’re giving in to the enemy’s desire for control. When we have faith, we’re acknowledging and accepting that God is in control.

Whenever you feel fear creeping in, fight it off with faith by praying, diving into the Word of the Lord, and tackling every situation with the mindset that nothing will overcome the plan that God has for your life. As you grow closer to Him, the stronger you will become. No weapon formed against you shall prosper!

Related Bible Verses To Help

“For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—”plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—whom should I dread? (Psalm 27:1)

For I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand, who says to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.” (John 14:27)