30 Bible Verses About Fear to Overcome Your Own
Whatever you are afraid of, God will help you move past your anxiety.
It is okay to feel afraid, whether you are worrying about the future, losing someone close to you, or thinking about what comes after death. All of these anxieties are valid, and you aren't alone in how you are feeling. But if you are ready to overcome your fear, there are productive steps you can take to feel fearless as you approach this new stage in your life. One way to confront your fear by means of faith is to read or recite specific Bible verses about fear that will not only make you feel less alone, but also fill you with strength to conquer your worries.
God is not a figure to fear. He is a pillar of faith to lean on when you find yourself overcome with emotion. If you reach out to God, He will answer with love and comfort so that your fear will appear small in comparison to his warmth. Your faith will give you strength during the scarier and more stressful moments in your life. And if you are experiencing one of those phases right now — or know someone who could use an inspiring prayer — then reciting one of these Bible verses about fear will help you face yours head on.
Psalm 34:4-5
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”
The Good News: Take your fears to the Lord and He will transform your life.
Matthew 8:25–27
“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?’”
The Good News: Never forget the power of the Lord to alter your circumstances and calm your fears, as he quieted the troubled waters around his disciples.
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
The Good News: God’s support and comfort are there to ease your fears at every stage of life, even in the face of death.
Luke 1:12–14
“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.’”
The Good News: Aging and childless, Zechariah and Elizabeth received a miracle from a fearsome visitor. Never be afraid to welcome God into your life.
Psalm 27:1
“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?”
The Good News: With God as our source of strength, we need not fear anything on earth.
Luke 1:29–31
“But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.’”
The Good News: Like blessed Mary, we can learn to accept God’s will for our lives without fear.
Psalm 46:1–3
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
The Good News: Even the most terrifying events cannot shake us from our firm foundation in God.
Luke 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 hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
The Good News: Accept the peace of Jesus — a peace the world cannot give — and watch your fears and anxieties melt away.
Psalm 91:4–5
“He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.”
The Good News: Take shelter beneath God’s welcoming wings; He will protect you and shield you from all fear.
Matthew 10:29–32
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.”
The Good News: Put away your fears: God loves and cares about every one of us.
Psalm 56:3–4
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”
The Good News: If we are secure in our faith, there is nothing the world can throw at us that we cannot handle.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
The Good News: God wills a life free from fear and full of love and self-control for every one of us.
Psalm 112:6–8
“For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.”
The Good News: Persevere in the faith, cast off all fear and keep your heart strong; God will never forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5–6
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”
The Good News: If we put our faith in God’s steadfast, unfailing love and turn away from an obsession with material things, God will free us from all fear.
Proverbs 3:23–24
“Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
The Good News: Sweet sleep, a safe pathway, and an untroubled heart are the benefits of a faithful spirit.
1 John 4:18–19
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.”
The Good News: Love — genuine love for ourselves, for each other and for God — can overcome all fear.
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
The Good News: God’s love is never failing; face your fears and move forward with courage.
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord will be with you wherever you go.”
The Good News: No matter what you do or where you are, the Lord will be with you on your journey, so you don’t need to let fear control or discourage you.
Psalm 107:28-30
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He still the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.”
The Good News: When you are in trouble, God will guide you towards safety.
Isaiah 41:8-10
“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.”
The Good News: God will give you strength when you are afraid.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
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