By Bill Gaultiere © 2010
Most every day I talk to someone who is afraid or anxious (which is generalized fear). Maybe you fear what people think of you… Not having enough money… Public speaking, flying, being far from home, or spiders… Failure or rejection… Losing a loved one… Disease or pain… Death…
We all long for more of God’s peace in the midst of the stresses of our lives!
It’s been said that there are 365 “fear nots” in the Bible, one for every day of the year. This is a wonderful thought, but is it true? Most people say no. Indeed, there is not a version of the Bible that 365 times says, quote unquote, ”fear not.” For instance, the King James Version says “fear not” or “be not afraid” 103 times, but not 365 times.
However “fear” is spoken of over 500 times in the KJV. In addition to the “fear nots” many times it’s saying “fear God,” which really means reverence God alone and do not fear anyone or anything else. Expanding the seach to look at verses encouraging us not to worry or not to be anxious would add many, many more “fear not” Scriptures. This is why I say that there are more than 365 “fear nots” in the Bible!
The Psalmist often leads us in a “fear not” prayer. The Psalms are the Bible’s great soul book, meant to train us to respond to all life situations and difficulties through prayer and trust in the Lord. One example is Psalm 56. David has been seized by the Philistines and he starts to become afraid, but instead he sets his vision on his Lord and Savior in his midst. He praises God and his word to him: “Fear not!” He puts his trust in the Lord…
When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
In God I trust; I will not be afriad.
What can mortal man do to me?
(Psalm 56:3-4, repeated in similar words in verses 10-11.)
What fear is trying to take a hold of you right now? What threat or trouble are you facing?
Pray with David, “When I am afraid of _________, I will trust in you, O Lord.”
And if you’re not afraid now pray it anyway! A time of strength is the best time to pray because then you can “watch and pray” with Jesus, preparing your heart now to take refuge in the Lord when temptation comes.
In “31 Days to Freedom from Fear” I share 31 of my favorite “fear nots” from the Bible and introduce an approach for living by God’s “Fear not!” 365 days a year!
Do you live near Orange County, CA? I invite you to attend one of the “Soul Shepherding” seminars or retreats I’m leading. I list them on my Calendar.
William Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org
