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By Bill Gaultiere
Do you struggle with fear, anxiety, or worry? Many people I talk to do. For years I suffered from anxiety. But not anymore! By submitting my life to Christ and his kingdom — through his Word — I have found freedom. By learning to live my whole life as an apprentice to Jesus, devoted to him alone, I have learned not to worry about the outcomes of events, what people think about me, or whether or not I succeed.
365 Fear Nots
It’s been said that there are 365 Fear Nots in the Bible, one for each day of the year! In Your Best Life In Jesus’ Easy Yoke I explain that there are actually more than 365 verses in the Bible guiding us in how we deal with “fear” (or “afraid”, “frightened”, “terrified”). We can be sure that 365 days a year the Lord says to us: “Fear not!”
Again and again in the Bible God’s promise to us is: “You will not fear… by day” (Psalm 91:5). For this Bible Study I selected 31 of my favorite Fear Not Bible passages (from the NIV84) and identified the fearless truth God is teaching us. The 31 Fear Not Bible verses are a daily training program with Jesus to help you overcome fear and anxiety. If you train with Jesus in this way for 31 days then you will grow in his peace for 356 days a year!
How the Fear Not Training Works
Renewing your mind in Scripture is the key to overcoming fear and anxiety (Romans 12:1-2). So I encourage you to read, meditate on, and pray over one Fear Not Bible passage per day for 31 days. You need to approach this like you’re taking your daily dose of medicine – because you are!
You may want to write the Fear Not Scripture down on an index card each day so you can carry it with you. Re-read it and turn it over and over in your mind and let it lead you into personal prayers. You could memorize the passages that especially speak to your struggles. You’re seeking to form new habits, which is why it’s a 31-day program!
Fear Nots for 31 Days
Here is the first 5 days of Scriptures in the 31 Days to Freedom from Fear:
Day 1 Fear Not: The Lord, Creator and Savior, calls you by name to say, “You’re mine!”
“But now, this is what the LORD says – he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine’” (Isaiah 43:1).
Day 2 Fear Not: Come to Jesus with tiresome burdens to rest in his care as you work with him
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Day 3 Fear Not: The Shepherd is with you to train you to find comfort in him
“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” (Psalm 23:4).
Day 4 Fear Not: Don’t be anxious – instead pray, ask, give thanks, and be guarded by God’s peace
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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 minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Day 5 Fear Not: Jesus’ way is to simplify: Don’t worry. Be like the birds and flowers. Seek God.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important…? Look at the birds… your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow…. Will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?… But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:25-34).
You can find the full list of the 31 Days of Fear Not Scripture passages at Fear Not: 31 Days of Freedom from Fear.
This article is submitted by David Rimoldi of Soul Shepherding. Soul Shepherding is a Missio Nexus member. Member organizations can provide content to the Missio Nexus website. See how by clicking here.
