The Bible frequently uses the reassuring phrase, “Do not be afraid,” to address fear, one of the most prevalent emotions in human existence. God tells His people these things throughout the books of Genesis through Revelation throughout times of uncertainty, conflict, peril, and personal hardship.
These passages serve as a reminder that God is our supplier, protector, and constant source of support throughout difficult times; thus, fear is not supposed to rule us. Scripture tells us that His presence is bigger than our worries when we face life’s obstacles.
“Do not be afraid” is a biblical demand based on God’s nature throughout the Bible, not just a suggestion. He supported Joshua as he readied himself to lead Israel into battle, comforted Abraham as he ventured into the unknown, and fortified Mary upon learning that she was to bear the Savior.
These words emphasize that when faith takes root, fear loses its hold. Because of His unwavering power and promises, rather than their own strength, God calls His people to courage.
Examining Bible texts that encourage us to be fearless gives us the faith-filled assurance we need to tackle whatever comes our way. These verses serve as a reminder that God grants us serenity that is beyond comprehension while walking with us through storms, valleys, and uncertainty. We learn to replace fear with hope, weakness with God’s strength, and anxiety with trust as we reflect on these verses. In the end, these lines encourage us to find rest in the knowledge that God would never abandon us.
40 Uplifting Bible Verses About Do Not Be Afraid (2025)
1. Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
This powerful assurance was given to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Facing enemies greater in number and strength, fear was a natural response. Yet God reminds them of His unfailing presence. This verse emphasizes that courage does not come from personal might but from the certainty that God Himself walks with His people.
2. Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
As Joshua stepped into Moses’s role of leadership, he faced daunting responsibilities. God’s words became both a command and a comfort, urging Joshua to reject fear and discouragement. The verse highlights that true bravery is rooted in God’s abiding presence, not in human strength or circumstances.
3. Isaiah 41:10
“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.”
In times of uncertainty and weakness, God’s people are reminded of His sustaining power. This verse assures us that fear can be overcome because of God’s strength, guidance, and upholding hand. It encourages believers to trade worry for trust, knowing God’s presence secures every step.
4. Psalm 56:3
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
This short yet profound verse captures the essence of dealing with fear. The psalmist admits that fear is real, but he also reveals the remedy—placing complete trust in God. It teaches that fear should not lead to despair but should become a doorway to deeper reliance on God’s faithfulness.
5. John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Here, Jesus offers His disciples a peace beyond human understanding, contrasting it with the temporary and shallow peace the world provides. In the face of trials, uncertainty, and even His impending departure, He encourages them not to fear. This verse reassures us that divine peace steadies the heart, even amid life’s storms.
6. 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?”
This verse proclaims God as both protector and deliverer. The imagery of light and stronghold emphasizes His power to guide, defend, and preserve His people. With such a foundation, fear loses its grip, reminding us that God’s presence brings both safety and confidence.
7. Isaiah 43:1
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
God reassures Israel of His ownership and protection, emphasizing redemption and personal relationship. To be called by name by the Creator of the universe is a powerful reminder of divine care. Fear is dispelled when we understand that we belong to God, who claims us as His own.
8. Matthew 10:31
“So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Jesus teaches that God’s care extends even to the smallest creatures, and how much more to His children. This verse anchors human worth in God’s eyes and challenges fear by affirming His detailed attention to our lives. If God cares for sparrows, we can rest assured He will care for us.
9. 2 Timothy 1:7
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
Paul reminds Timothy that fear is not from God. Instead, the Holy Spirit empowers believers with courage, love, and sound judgment. This verse encourages Christians to reject timidity and embrace the divine strength provided to fulfill God’s purposes.
10. Psalm 118:6
“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
This declaration of faith rejects fear of man by acknowledging the supremacy of God’s presence. It reminds us that human threats are insignificant compared to God’s power. Confidence grows when we recognize that God’s nearness is greater than any danger we face.
11. Luke 12:32
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
Jesus tenderly addresses His followers, reassuring them that God’s generosity extends to granting them His kingdom. Fear is replaced with confidence when we realize that the Father’s will is to bless, protect, and provide. This verse reminds believers that their future is secure in God’s hands.
12. Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
This beloved psalm illustrates God’s presence even in life’s most difficult and frightening circumstances. The shepherd imagery shows His protective and guiding care. Fear is silenced by the assurance that God walks with us, bringing comfort and security through every shadow.
13. Mark 5:36
“Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
Spoken by Jesus to Jairus, whose daughter had just been reported dead, these words are a call to faith over fear. Jesus invites us to shift our focus from despair to trust in His power. This verse challenges believers to let faith override fear, even in seemingly hopeless situations.
14. Psalm 34:4
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
The psalmist testifies to the power of prayer in overcoming fear. Deliverance comes not from human strategies but from seeking God’s presence and help. This verse assures us that God is responsive and faithful when we turn to Him in times of distress.
15. Isaiah 35:4
“Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.’”
This verse offers hope to those weighed down by fear and weakness. God’s promised intervention and salvation are the antidotes to trembling hearts. It reminds us that ultimate deliverance belongs to the Lord, who comes with both justice and mercy.
16. Revelation 1:17
“Then he placed his right hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.’”
When John encounters the glorified Christ, he falls in fear, but Jesus reassures him with His eternal authority. Fear dissolves when we recognize Jesus as the Alpha and Omega, the One who holds all time and history. His sovereignty is our ultimate security.
17. Zephaniah 3:16
“On that day they will say to Jerusalem, ‘Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.’”
This prophecy encourages God’s people not to be paralyzed by fear or discouragement. Instead, they are urged to take courage because of God’s promised restoration. It highlights that hope for the future disarms fear in the present.
18. Matthew 28:5
“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.’”
At the empty tomb, fear was met with a divine message of reassurance. The angel’s words remind us that fear gives way to joy when we encounter the risen Christ. This verse highlights resurrection hope as the ultimate victory over fear.
19. Hebrews 13:6
“So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’”
This declaration builds on Old Testament promises, affirming God as a present help in times of trouble. It emphasizes that human threats cannot overpower divine protection. Trust in God enables believers to live fearlessly and confidently.
20. Lamentations 3:57
“You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear.’”
Even in deep sorrow and suffering, the writer of Lamentations recalls God’s comforting nearness. This verse reveals God’s tender response to those who cry out to Him. Fear dissipates in the warmth of His presence and the assurance of His care.
21. Psalm 91:5–6
“You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.”
Psalm 91 paints a portrait of divine shelter amid dangers both seen and unseen. The language collects the varied forms of human dread—night terrors, sudden attack, disease—and places them under God’s protective shadow. This verse invites the believer to trust that God’s faithful presence turns potential panic into confident rest; fear loses its dominion when we dwell in the refuge of the Most High and live under his promised watch-care.
22. Proverbs 3:25–26
“Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.”
Proverbs connects practical wisdom with spiritual assurance: a life rooted in trust in God diminishes the grip of fear. The “sudden disaster” that alarms the unprepared has less power over the one whose steps are guided by the Lord. This verse reassures us that fearing the worst is not the pathway of faith — rather, confidence in God’s presence steadies us so we can move forward without being trapped by timidity or panic.
23. 1 John 4:18
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
John argues that fear and perfected love cannot coexist: where God’s love is known and trusted, fear fades. The verse reframes fear as a bondage linked to judgment, whereas mature, Christ-centered love frees us from that bondage. Practically, meditating on God’s lavish, sacrificial love rewires our responses — anxiety and dread give way to trust, courage, and a willingness to live vulnerably under grace.
24. Matthew 14:27
“But Jesus spoke to them at once. ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.’”
Spoken amid the disciples’ storm-tossed terror, Jesus’ words are both identification and command. His presence — “It is I” — dispels existential dread, reminding us that fear is often a response to perceived abandonment. When Christ Himself draws near, his voice calls us back from panic into faith; courage is not self-generated but arises from recognizing and resting in his nearness.
25. Acts 18:9-10
“Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
This promise to Paul at Corinth frames “do not be afraid” within vocation and mission. God’s encouragement removes the excuse of timidity — fear must not hinder obedience. The promise also contains a strategic comfort: God’s presence and his people are the support network that enables courageous witness even in hostile settings.
26. Genesis 26:24
“That night the LORD appeared to him and said, ‘I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you and will multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.’”
Here God reaffirms covenant promises to Isaac in a moment of uncertainty, repeating the refrain of accompaniment and blessing. The divine “do not be afraid” is not mere sentiment but tied to purposes that transcend the immediate problem. For believers, this teaches that God’s reassurances often come alongside reminders of his promises — our courage is anchored in God’s faithfulness to his unfolding plan.
27. Jeremiah 1:8
“Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.
God’s words to the young prophet Jeremiah turn a humanly overwhelming appointment into a vocation of courage. The pattern is repeated throughout Scripture: God commissions and then surrounds the called with his presence. When God says “do not be afraid,” it’s an invitation to step into the work he has given us, confident that his rescuing power will meet every threat.
28. John 6:20
“But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’”
Jesus’ brief, calming words to frightened disciples on a stormy sea are emblematic of gospel reassurance. In moments of disorientation and dread, his self-identification becomes the remedy; fear dissolves when we fix our eyes on the one who controls the wind and waves. This verse teaches that courage is often as simple and profound as recognizing Christ’s identity in the midst of our panic.
29. Psalm 46:2
“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.”
Psalm 46 frames fearlessness against cosmic chaos — even if the world collapses, the people of God will not be terrified. This is not a denial of danger but a profound declaration of trust in God’s sovereignty over all calamity. The psalm invites us to anchor our confidence not in circumstances but in the unshakable presence of God, which reorients our hearts to courage even when everything seems to fall apart.
30. Isaiah 12:2
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah’s song moves from deliverance to a resolute refusal to fear — trust becomes the practiced posture of a saved people. The verse links salvation and fearless living: knowing God as Savior rewires our responses to threats. When the Lord is both strength and defense, fear loses its rational footing and trust becomes the natural, faithful reply.
31. Psalm 112:7
“They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.”
This wisdom psalm contrasts the steadiness of the righteous with the instability of those who depend on circumstance. The one who trusts God is not gullible to danger but anchored against it, so that even bad reports cannot unmoor their peace. The verse models mature faith: fear shrinks as trust deepens, and a steady heart is the fruit of persistent reliance on God.
32. 1 Peter 3:14
“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”
Peter’s instruction addresses Christians facing social pressure or persecution: blessing accompanies suffering for righteousness, and fear should not stifle witness. The command “do not fear” functions as pastoral courage-training — suffering can be endured without losing spiritual composure. The passage encourages believers to hold fast, knowing that fearful capitulation is not the posture of those sustained by Christ.
33. Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers… will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Paul’s sweeping affirmation removes the ultimate causes for existential fear: nothing can sever us from God’s love. If separation from divine love — the deepest human dread — is impossible, then most of our anxieties lose their final sting. This passage anchors fearless living in the unbreakable bond of Christ’s love, which reframes every threat as temporary in light of eternal security.
34. Joel 2:21
“Do not fear, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things!”
Joel’s prophetic call to cease fear is tied to a recall of God’s mighty acts and a promise of renewal. The land and its people are urged to exchange trembling for gladness because of what the Lord has already accomplished and will do. This verse shows that fear is often countered by remembrance — when we rehearse God’s goodness, courage and joy naturally follow.
35. Exodus 14:13
“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.’”
On the shores of the Red Sea, Moses’ command is both pastoral and prophetic: do not let panic dictate action, stand firm, and watch God act. The people’s fear is redirected into expectant trust — deliverance is purposefully imminent. For readers, the verse models how faith in crisis looks: a refusal to run from God’s promise and a posture of waiting to witness his salvation.
36. Psalm 121:5-6
“The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.”
This pilgrimage psalm assures travelers that God’s vigilant care spans every hour and hazard. The quiet confidence that results from being watched over by God dispels fear born of vulnerability. When we understand our security as continually guarded by the Lord, our default response can shift from alarm to peaceful dependence.
37. Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Paul reframes fear as solved not by stoicism but by prayerful exchange: anxiety is replaced by intercession and thanksgiving. The promised outcome — God’s transcendent peace — functions as a sentinel for heart and mind, keeping fear at bay. This passage is profoundly practical: whenever fear arises, let it become fuel for prayer, and let God’s peace take up residence in its place.
38. Luke 1:30
“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.’”
Mary’s astonishment at divine revelation is answered with gentle reassurance: favor, not fear, is the proper posture to receive God’s impossible invitation. The angel’s words teach that God often meets human trepidation with affirmation of purpose and grace. In life’s most disorienting moments, divine encouragement reorients fear into faithful obedience rooted in God’s favor.
39. Numbers 14:9
“Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they are bread for us; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.”
Joshua and Caleb’s bold counsel in the face of giants reframes dangerous opponents as defeatable because the Lord accompanies his people. Their command not to fear is tethered to the conviction that God’s presence nullifies enemy advantage. This verse models prophetic courage — it is not bravado but faith-informed realism that converts fearful imagination into confident action.
40. Deuteronomy 20:3
“He shall say to them, ‘Hear, Israel! Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified before them.’”
These instructions to soldiers preparing for battle underscore fear’s capacity to unravel communities and missions. The command is practical and pastoral: fear undermines discipline and hope, so leaders must fortify the people’s courage with reminders of God’s presence and purpose. The verse teaches that courage is cultivated corporately — communities who remind one another of God’s faithfulness can stand firm when facing daunting threats.
Conclusion
God’s Word tells us that although fear is a normal human emotion, we are never supposed to face it alone. “Do not be afraid” is a recurring message throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. These verses serve as a reminder that God is always present, that His promises cannot be broken, and that His love dispels fear. We can ground our hearts in the knowledge that the Lord is our comforter, protector, and guide, despite whatever doubts or difficulties we may encounter.
May you be inspired to face every day with faith instead of fear as you consider these verses. Let these assurances serve as a buffer against worry and a ray of optimism when things seem uncertain. When fear threatens to take over, go back to God’s Word, repeat His promises over your life, and have faith that He is stronger than any obstacle. You can walk in tranquility, self-assurance, and the firm knowledge that you are never alone when God is by your side.
