George Truett, the well-known Baptist pastor, was asked to speak twice a day for a week-long series of messages at a leading university. Before Truett’s arrival, the President of the college sent a questionnaire to the students, asking them to choose the topics they wanted Truett to address. To the complete surprise of the President, the faculty, and Truett himself, the majority of the students wanted Truett to speak about how to conquer fear.

Fear is something we all must face at one time or another. The diseased person is afraid the illness is incurable. The faithful spouse is afraid the marriage partner is cheating. The employee is afraid of being laid off or fired. The leader of the nation is afraid of an enemy attack. The veteran starting quarterback is afraid of the talented rookie who wants the position. The young boy is afraid of dogs. The young girl is afraid no one will like her. The high schooler is afraid of life after graduation. The college student is afraid of not being able to pay back those student loans. The business owner is afraid the business will fail. The single parent is afraid there won’t be enough money to cover the bills. The elderly person is afraid of dying. Round and round the merry-go-round of fear goes and where it stops nobody knows.

Variations of the words “fear” or “afraid” are found hundreds upon hundreds of times in the Bible. You won’t read either the Old Testament or the New Testament long before you bump into one of these references. The Old Testament’s first one involves Adam, who in the wake of the sin in Eden was afraid of God (Genesis 3:8-10). The New Testament’s first one involves an angel telling Joseph not to be afraid to marry the now pregnant Mary (Matthew 1:20).

The Bible’s many references to fear tell us all we need to know about the human condition. Despite our attempts at courage, bravery, and confidence, oftentimes our daily lives are marked by fear and its running mate, worry. No matter how hard we try, there will always be those moments when we all, deep down, become like frightened little children.

Of course, the problem is that our fears aren’t always baseless and unfounded. Sometimes diseases are incurable. Sometimes one spouse does cheat on another. Sometimes employees do lose their jobs. Sometimes enemy nations do attack. Sometimes the rookie quarterback does send the veteran to the bench. Sometimes dogs do bite. Sometimes young girls do make life hard on other young girls. Sometimes life does knock the snot out of the high school graduate. Sometimes the college student can’t land a good enough job to pay back those student loans. Sometimes business do fail. Sometimes there isn’t enough money to cover the bills. And as for the elderly person being afraid of dying, well, nothing is more frightening than eternity if you aren’t prepared to face it.

Furthermore, the Bible teaches that if you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you should be afraid. I’m not trying to hurt your feelings, but you need to understand that if you are without Christ, God isn’t your heavenly Father and is under no obligation to help you with what is scaring you. Oh, sure, He might help you — because He loves you — but His help isn’t something to which you hold a guarantee.

The Christian, on the other hand, does hold such a guarantee. This explains why there are so many verses in which God says to the believer, “Do not be afraid.” So, Christian, in regards to your specific fear or fears, the best I can do for you is throw the Bible at you. That’s why I’m going to close out this post by simply citing a few passages. I’ll give you seven of them (all from the N.K.J.V. translation), and as you read each one, allow the words to sink deep down into your soul to help you with whatever is scaring you:

Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Joshua 1:9: “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.”

Yea, 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. (Psalm 23:4)

“For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.'” (Isaiah 41:13)

But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26)

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

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)