What the Bible Says About How to Deal with Fear
Kori de Leon, www.adoringchrist.org
Key Verse:
”Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Some of my favorite childhood memories are of sitting in creation with my dad, watching falling stars and storm clouds roll across the skies, sensing a greater Presence behind it all. Psalm 19:1 captures this perfectly: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” In other words, the heavens bubble up and overflow with speech about their Maker. Those early moments in creation with my dad were my first experiences of wonder. I knew from these experiences that there was a God and that He was powerful and divine, but He still seemed far away and distant.
But years later, I heard and believed the gospel for the first time, and God opened the eyes of my heart to see Him not only as Creator but as Savior (2 Corinthians 3:18). He became personal and near through Jesus Christ. Today, I want to invite you to embrace this wonder of God, who fills us with peace in every season, especially when we face fear and uncertainty.
Living in the Wonder of God’s Help
Isaiah 64:4 says, “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” Unlike other so-called gods, our God delights to come to our aid. He doesn’t require our help—He is all-powerful. And yet, He created us out of His joy, ready to help us each day.
Isaiah is saying to each of us: Your God is different from any other so-called god in creation. He delights to help you! This is God’s heart, and from it flows a beautiful instruction I want to share with you today: overcoming fear by living in the wonder of God’s help.
Fear Not, For I Am With You
In Isaiah 41:10, God says: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Each part of this verse offers powerful promises:
Fear not – God tells us, "Don’t let fear control you—I am right here."
Be not dismayed – God assures us, "Don’t look around in panic. I am your peace."
I am your God – Elohim is the Hebrew word for God reminding us that he is all-powerful and personal with us.
I will strengthen you – God promises to share his courage and strength with us.
I will help you – God is our helper and rescuer.
I will uphold you – God holds us firmly, steadying us with His strength.
The God of the universe reminds us today that He will be our support and courage each day. Isn’t that WONDER-FUL?
Steps to Overcome Fear
When I feel overwhelmed, these four steps help me refocus on God’s promises:
Pause – Take a deep breath and remember God’s presence.
Ponder – Reflect on who God is and what He promises. Picture Him holding you steady.
Pray – Call out to God in prayer for help.
Put Off Fear and Put On Trust – As Ephesians teaches, “put off” fear and “put on” faith. Put off the fear by trusting that God will strengthen and uphold you as He promised.
Every day, God invites us to live in the wonder of His comfort and help. We don’t have to face fear alone—He is with us, eager to strengthen and support us.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and care. Help me to trust You with my fears, knowing that You are always with me. Strengthen and uphold me with Your righteous and mighty hand. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Engage:
For further exploration of God’s faithful love and the help He provides for his people, check out my Bible study, Upheld: Meeting Our Trustworthy God in Isaiah.
A New Beginning:
If you are led by God’s message of forgiveness and the good news of the gospel to start a relationship with Him, begin by admitting to God that you are a sinner in need of His mercy. Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again, as affirmed in Romans 10:9-10, which says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Invite Him to be your Lord and Savior, an act of faith that marks the beginning of a new life in Christ!
If you want to take this step or learn more about living a life with Christ, please reach out to us at www.adoringchrist.org. We would be honored to help you begin your journey with Christ, providing guidance and support as you grow in a relationship with God.
© 2024 by Kori de Leon. All rights reserved.
