The Bible says the Lord will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge” (Psalm 91:4). Like a mother bird the Lord protects us under His wings from a storm or a hurt. The Lord provides His comfort and safety from all the wind and rain in life’s storms. We all go through challenges and delays; however, we can face them without fear when we turn to the Lord our God in prayer. The Lord said He would “never leave us or forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5).
The Bible identifies two types of fear. The first type is fear of the Lord. This kind of fear does not mean to be afraid of something. Rather, it means reverence of God’s power and glory. It also means giving proper respect for His wrath and anger which come through Him and His attributes such as love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, goodness, longsuffering, temperance, and faithfulness. The Bible says the fear of the Lord brings us many blessings and benefits. Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding has all those who do His commandments.” Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
“The fear of the LORD leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil” (Proverbs 19:23). “The fear of the LORD is a foundation of life, to avoid the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27) and “provides a security and a place of safety for us” (Proverbs 14:26).
Therefore, we can truly say that fearing God should be encouraged. However, the second type of fear mentioned in the Bible is not healthy at all. This is the “spirit of fear” mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” A spirit of fearfulness does not come from the Lord our God.
On life’s journey, sometimes we are afraid, and the spirit fear can come over us. When this happens’, we need to trust in and love God with all our heart, soul and mind. 1 John 4:18 says, “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. God knows that we are not perfect and therefore He gave Scripture verses of comfort against fear throughout the Bible. Beginning in the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation, the Lord God gives us comfort and hope. Therefore, the key to overcoming fear is totally and completely trusting in God and refusing to give in to fear.
Scripture Verses for Meditation:
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1-2)
“Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.” (Psalm 25:12)
“The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.” (Psalm 25:14)
“I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)
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“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6)
“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)
“Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.’” (Isaiah 35:4)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
“You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah” (Psalm 32:7)
“Now When He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ But he said to them, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’ Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.’” So, the men marveled, saying, ‘Who can this be, that even the winds and sea obey Him?’” (Matthew 8:23-26)
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
“I called on the LORD in distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:5-6)
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father’” (Romans 8:15)
“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’” (Isaiah 12:2)
Additional Bible Verses… Psalm 80; Mark 10:45; John 10:10; Philippians 4:6; Matthew 11:29; John 14:27; 1 John 14:17; Romans 13:14; 1 Samuel 17:7; Psalm 73:28; 2 Corinthians 1:7; Psalm 147:1-11; Psalm 34:4; Psalm 91:4-7; Proverbs 3:24-26; and Proverbs 3:5-6.
Prayer:
Heaven Father, please help me to choose good and not evil. Help me to choose strength, and not weakness. Make me, Lord, to yield myself to You and not to fear. Lord, help me to user the full power of the Holy Spirit You have given me to overcome fear in this world. O Lord, I surrender my life to You and realize the power of the Holy Spirit that is within me to overcome fear. Help me to use the power You have given me to overcome all fear and difficulties in myself through the help of my Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.