When You Don’t Feel Safe and Secure: Bible Verses About Fear

The world doesn’t always feel safe and hospitable toward us. Sometimes it feels downright hostile, and we just have to push our way through to stay ahead of trouble.

There are lots of things that we experience that elicit fear from us, including concerns about whether we might lose our job, the fear evoked by the imminent sickness or death of a loved one, concerns about the future of our children, fear of being alone or unloved, or fears about our well-being and safety. For some, the last few years of living through a pandemic confirmed some of their worst nightmares, and there was much uncertainty which multiplied fears.

Fear, while being a helpful emotion that allows us to be cautious and steer clear of danger, can become a problem. It can steal your joy. It can rob you of peace. It can make you uncertain and undermine your confidence.

The Bible never seeks to disabuse us of the fact that the world is a dangerous place, and we are not promised safety from everything common to humanity. Jesus, God’s own Son who had committed no sin, went through fearful horrors none of us would wish upon our worst enemy.

He says to His followers, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” (John 15:20 ESV).

But He also says to them: “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” (John 16:33, NIV).

Jesus’ followers will go through hardships, but He promises them that since He has overcome the world, they will too. Not by avoiding ‘trouble’, but by going through it knowing they are under the hand of the God whose love moves the sun, moon, and stars; the God who created everything with His word.

And so while there’s a lot out there that might cause God’s people to fear, He tells them not to fear because they are a people that know Him, a people that know the end of the story – that even if there is death and seeming defeat, there is a resurrection to new life and the ultimate triumph of God and God’s purposes over the darkness. Our fears need not overwhelm us.

The other kind of fear the Bible reminds us of, the kind we are to hold onto, is the ‘fear of the Lord’. This is the recognition of who God is – that God is majestic, holy, just, and powerful, and that God cannot be approached in a cavalier spirit.

The fear that God’s people ought to have is not the cowering fear of a slave because that’s not what we are in God’s household – we are God’s children. Fearing God corresponds with humility, lowliness, and sensitivity of heart to the reality of who God is.

Fear of God is also often contrasted with a hard, unperceptive heart that refuses to see God clearly and yield to him through humble repentance. We are reminded often in the Bible that we are safe in God and in God’s kingdom because it is a kingdom that cannot be shaken. But it is also true that this God is a consuming fire, and you don’t come near God without reverence and awe.

And so, because of the perfect love that we have in God as His children through Christ, there is no cowering fear toward God in us; and yet, because of who God is, we respond in faith by running toward Him and finding shelter in Him. For God’s children, it is a delight to see God as God and accord Him the honor due to Him.

Bible verses about 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

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, NIV

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. – Joshua 1:9, NIV

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him. The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. – Isaiah 11:2–3, ESV

The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 118:6, NIV

You who fear him, trust in the LORD – he is their help and shield. – Psalm 115:11, NIV

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.’ – Isaiah 43:1, NIV

O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name. – Nehemiah 1:11, ESV

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7, NIV

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

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children. – Psalm 103:17, NIV

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. – Psalm 34:4, NIV

And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing.’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?’ – Matthew 8:25–27, ESV

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, NIV

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

And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.’ – Luke 1:12–14, ESV

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 56:3-4, NIV

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. – Matthew 10:28, NIV

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. – Romans 8:15, NIV

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. – Isaiah 41:10, NIV

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because 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, NIV

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. – Isaiah 54:4, NIV

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’ – 1 Peter 3:13-14, NIV

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39, NIV

Would you like to meet with one of our Christian counselors to clarify your understanding of fear in light of Scripture? We would love to help you make your first appointment. Call us today.