Fear. It cripples us. It can save our lives in some cases, but just as easily kill us by holding us back from truly living. So how do we escape the clutches of fear and take back our lives? We turn to God, of course. God tells us countless times in the Bible to to be afraid, but why shouldn't we be? Isn't the world scary and dark? Isn't there sorrow and accidents waiting to happen around every corner? Isn't there deceit and murder and death? The answer is yes. Yes these things exist, but what God is telling us is not that these things are fictional, but rather, that He is bigger than the circumstances that scare you. There is a lot of comfort found in simply knowing how big and powerful God is. While this is seen throughout the Bible, it is interesting how many great and encouraging verses about fear are found in the book of Isaiah.
1. Isaiah 12:2
God not only has power and strength, but He graciously uses it to save us! We have nothing to fear when we know God is our power and our strength!
2. Isaiah 40:31
Despite fearing that we cannot sustain ourselves, we can find comfort knowing that we don't have to sustain ourselves because God will uphold us in all circumstances.
3. Isaiah 41:10
God is with us! There is no need to be afraid. He is strong and can hold us up when we feel like we can't stand.
4. Isaiah 41:13
While God is above us, He is also capable of holding our hand and helping us when we are afraid. God is personal and He, like a father, loves to take care of us.
5. Isaiah 43:2
Even the things of this earth that seem inescapable can be overcome by God, because He is the one that created it all in the first place. While the world may seem too big or too powerful, this verse reminds us that God is so much more powerful than we can fathom.
6. Isaiah 66:9
Even though fear is often painful or scary, God does not allow us to feel that way without having a bigger plan in mind.
7. Isaiah 45:2
Do not fear if your path is crooked or if you don't have a plan because God has a plan and can straighten any path.
8. Isaiah 46:4-6
God is not only saving us and caring for us and our fears now, but he will continue to do so even when we are old. He never runs out.
9. Isaiah 49:16
How could we be fearful when God has our names written on His hands? How could He ever forget about us? He will never forget about us or leave us.
10. Isaiah 58:9
We can always cry out to God and He will always hear us and come to rescue us. Do not be afraid! God is so much bigger than our fears.
So when you feel afraid, or the burdens of the world seem like they are close to collapsing on top of you, turn to the book of Isaiah and be reminded of the unending and all surpassing power of our God. He will never let you down.
