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Serenity, faith, trust, hope.  These words characterize the lives of Christians.  As the world is faced with turmoil and change, we have an abiding sense of security.  We’re “safe in the arms of Jesus,” as the song goes.  However, there may be times when fear seeps in.  Our head tells us not to worry, but our heart beats faster while the stomach churns.  What will my loved one find out from the doctor?  Will my child be alright on his own in college?  Can I keep my marriage together?  How will I pay the bills?  My parents are aging… Pain, loss, and loneliness aren’t the only fears we might face.  There are other types.  Fear of rejection.  Fear of embarrassment or humiliation when speaking out or standing for what’s right.  Fear of death.  Fear that our wayward loved ones won’t repent before it’s too late.  How can we keep from becoming overwhelmed with fear?  How can we cling to our faith in times of anxiety?

 This Bible-marking study will consist of a list of several verses that will serve as reminders of God’s care.  When faced with any fear, take a few minutes to sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, say a prayer, and read through these verses.  You’ll already have them marked in your precious Bible.  These Scriptures will bolster your courage and give you the strength to face the day with peace and hope.  As Thomas Merton said, “I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

Fear- Psalm 34:4

I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Our part is to seek God.  His part is to hear and deliver.  What a beautiful promise.  Circle the word “all,” and write Josh. 1:9 at the end.

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.

Note the two things we’re to do, and the two things we’re not to do.  And then another promise–God is with us.  No matter what we face, the all-powerful Creator faces it with us.  At the end of the verse, write Psalm 56:3, 4.

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.  In God (I will praise His Word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear.  What can flesh do to me?

Write in the margin “how to not be afraid.”  The answer is found between the words “afraid” and “fear” in this verse.  Trust God.  Praise Him.  Trust God.  When we can’t remember how to trust, we can focus on praising Him and His Word and the trust will follow.  Notice how the same thing is repeated in verses 10 & 11, only this time praise is mentioned twice and trust once.  At the end of verse 4, write Prov. 3:21-26.

My son, let them not depart from your eyes–keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck.  Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble.  When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.  Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.

Underline “keep sound wisdom and discretion.”  (By the way, isn’t “life to your soul and grace to your neck” beautiful?)  Circle the word “then.”  We have more wonderful promises from God.  We’re to keep “sound wisdom,” which will only come from God, not any worldly source, and then God will calm our fears.  Isn’t it true that fears call louder in the dark?  But they don’t have to keep us up at night if we rely on God.  Draw a squiggly line under the words that have to do with fear (“safely,” “afraid,” “afraid,” “terror”).  At the end of verse 26, write Psalm 112:7.

He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

The NIV reads, “They do not fear bad news.”  Who will not be afraid?  Whose heart will remain steadfast (no matter what the doctor says)? Look back at verse 1 and underline, “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.”  Then draw a line from that phrase down to verse 7.  Underline all of verse 7.  You might want to write in the margin, “We don’t have to fear bad news.”  What does it mean to fear the Lord?  “Delight greatly” in His Word.  And when we do, our hearts will be secure and steadfast.  At the end of this verse, write Isa. 51:7.

Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law; do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults.

In the margin next to this verse, write “fear of what others think.”  Again it goes back to having God’s Word in our hearts, and when we do, we won’t have to be afraid of standing for what’s right, or being persecuted, or being embarrassed.  By the way, in this chapter, God tells us where to keep our focus.  He tells us what to do with our eyes and ears.  He says “Listen to Me” (vs. 1, 4, and 7), “give ear to Me” (v. 4), and “please hear this” (v. 21).  He says “look” or “lift up your eyes” four times (vs. 1, 2, and 6).  You might like to write “Where to Keep Our Focus” over chapter 51 and underline each of the listens and looks.  Notice what happened when they lost their focus by forgetting their Lord.  “You have feared continually every day” (v. 13).  When we focus on the men around us instead of the God with us, we will fear.  At the end of verse 7, write John 14:27.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Memorize this verse so you can recall it when all that is in the world threatens to overwhelm you.  At the end of this verse, write 1 Pet. 3:13, 14.

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?  But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.  “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

Sometimes the suffering and threats come from our own family members, and that hurts most of all.  We don’t have to be afraid to do the right thing, though.  Another promise–If we follow what is good, we will be blessed.  At the end of this verse, write 2 Cor. 7:5, 6.

For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side.  Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.  Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus…”

I love this passage.  Troubled on every side.  Outside were conflicts.  Inside were fears.  NEVERTHELESS GOD.  May we always shout this, come what may!

For the sake of article length, we’ll stop, but here are more verses that can be included:

Prov. 29:25;  2 Tim. 1:7;  1 John 4:17, 18; Matt. 10:28; Psa. 23:4; Psa. 27:1-3; Mark 4:40.  If you have favorite passages on fear, why not share them with us in the comments section?  Remember the words of Jesus, “Do not be afraid; only believe” (Mark 5:36).

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Kathy Pollard

Kathy is married to Neal Pollard, who preaches for the Lehman Ave. church of Christ in Bowling Green, KY. They have three grown sons, all married, 2 new grandsons, and a granddaughter on the way! Kathy attended Faulkner University and Bear Valley Bible Institute and has a bachelor’s degree in Bible. She is the author of the book, Return to Me…What to Do When Loved Ones Fall Away. She and Carla Moore host a weekly podcast for Christian women called Looking Up. Kathy enjoys spending time with family, traveling to Israel, tending her gardens, and getting to know her new dairy cow, Peaches.

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