3 Scriptures to Support You as You Fight Fear

Relax Your Fear Muscle | 3 Scriptures to Support You as You Fight Fear

Posted on by Michele Morin

Sunday Scripture

“Hold on a minute,” I gasped as I pushed myself upright again. Repositioning my end of the load, I followed my husband into the spare bedroom where we let the heavy box thud to the floor. We made it–but I knew I had tweaked my back with my stumble-up-the-stairs technique. Fighting fear, I swallowed ibuprofen, grabbed an ice pack, and waited for the muscles in my back to unclench.

I was grateful to discover the injury was minor, but surprised at the way fear moved on in and took up residence in my mind. The what-ifs and the memory of past injuries became my present-moment reality. For me, fear can be like a muscle that clenches at the slightest provocation, causing me to forget how God has graciously carried me through hard days in the past.

God is a very present help in time of need, but he is not in the business of granting grace for troubles that haven’t happened yet! When my mind veers into worry, I am striking off into territory that’s none of my business. Three verses set an agenda for relaxing my fear muscle and fighting fear by leaning into the power, the love, and the sovereignty of God.

When my mind veers into worry, I am striking off into territory that’s none of my business. Three verses set an agenda for relaxing my fear muscle and fighting fear by leaning into the power, the love, and the sovereignty of God.

Three Scriptures to Fight Fear

1. When You Fear Your Own Weakness

Fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

My fear of injury is not groundless. I’ve done my time on medication and an icepack, in bed and in pain. Worst of all, I’ve experienced the limitations of restricted movement. My physical weakness, however, is more than met by the spiritual strength and upholding of a God who promises to meet me in my weakness, to be my helper through the claustrophobia of the slow healing process.

When God spoke this promise to his people Israel, they were surrounded by nations who were experiencing God’s judgment, and their own future looked pretty bleak. Even so, God’s reassurance came to them in this promise of restoration.

2. When You Fear the Loss of Something You Cherish

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”

Philippians 3:8

Loss of independence.
Loss of family, friendships, livelihood, ministry opportunities, clear thinking, fill in the blank yourself.
What comes to mind when you read this verse? Most crucially, can you join Paul in concluding that the loss is inconsequential compared to the sustaining presence of Christ in your life?

3. When You Fear the Future

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”

Psalm 32:8

Whether it’s a decision that needs to be made without a clear, visible path or simply a nagging sense of dread over an uncertain season, battle unbelief with the knowledge that God is more interested in guiding his children than we, typically, are in following him. Even on an uncertain trajectory, you travel with God who has never once been surprised, who may lead you through periods of tremendous stress for your growth and his glory, and who faithfully comes alongside you in your anxiety.

What verses have helped you to fight fear?

God has provided his word as a comfort and also as a weapon in the battle against anxiety. Let’s use the comment section below as a gathering around truth. Maybe the verse(s) you share will be the exact words another reader needs on this particular day!

Go now in grace and peace,

God has provided his word as a comfort and also as a weapon in the battle against anxiety.

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Published by Michele Morin

Michele Morin is a Bible teacher, writer, reader, and gardener committed to the truth that women can become confident Christ-followers and students of God's Word. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for thirty-plus years, and together they have four sons, four daughters-in-love, and five adorable grandchildren. Michele loves hot tea and well-crafted sentences, poems that stop her in her tracks, and days at the ocean with the whole family. She laments biblical illiteracy and advocates for the prudent use of “little minutes.” She blogs at Living Our Days, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

55 thoughts on “Relax Your Fear Muscle | 3 Scriptures to Support You as You Fight Fear”

      1. 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!
        John 14:27

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  3. This is timely for me, Michele, since I have been in a two year season of relentless trials of health, sickness and loss in our family. It has been intense. My go to scripture has been: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will GUARD your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
    I also love all the But God verses. When you add these two words to any trial is changes everything.
    “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 ESV

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Neat idea to apply a verse to each of these situations! I know what you mean about having an injury in one area that makes you wary of retriggering it.

    One of my favorite verses for fear and anxiety is Psalm 56:3: “What time I am afraid”—an honest admission—“I will put my trust in thee”—a deliberate turning and focus.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes! Deliberate refocusing is such a great tactic in fighting fear. We choose to focus on what’s true about God rather than our circumstances. Thanks for sharing that great verse and your thoughts on it.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Wow I love this line you wrote Michele, ‘ God is more interested in guiding his children than we, typically, are in following him.’ Matthew 8:25-27 are a great reminder of his power and greatness for even the wind and sea obey him! I love this one when it feels like I can do nothing for my situation!

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  8. The second fear is the one that I have to fight. It’s so important to flex the muscles we want the strengthen – and fear ISN’T one of them! The Scriptures are full of encouragement and reminders to not be afraid. Some of my favorites are already in the comments, but here’s one that stuck with me recently:

    Psalm 73:23-26 – Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

    If God is always with me, and I keep him as my highest desire, the unknowns of the future and the losses I MIGHT face cannot paralyze me with fear. He will still be with me and see me through.

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  9. Mine is the same as Barbara’s: Psalm 56:3 and I use it as a “breath prayer.”. Inhale, “What time I am afraid,” exhale “I will trust in thee.” So calming! I learned this simple mantra when I was a child and it has served me well since.

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  10. After my spinal fusion surgery, when my son tested positive for the flu about two weeks after I came home from the hospital, I experienced intense fear – only of coughing – because of the pain each cough would create until I had healed. This quote needs to be on a bracelet: “he is not in the business of granting grace for troubles that haven’t happened yet!” I love your word craftsmanship there!

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    1. Oh, hooray! I wrote it to come alongside reading friends in the fight against fear. We’re all there at some point in our journey. Praying right now for you and yours.

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  12. I think my fear muscle is far too well developed. I’m glad I read this post today, especially your comment about God not granting grace for troubles that haven’t happened yet! One Scripture I always turn to is Psalm 91.

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  13. Michele,
    Isaiah 41:10 has been a balm to my fearful soul for many years. Thank you for this beautiful “re-set” when we run away with fear in our imaginings. He offers grace in the moment and not beforehand.
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

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  14. You suffer from occasional back flare-ups too? They’re such a nuisance! Usually the exercises prescribed by my physical therapist years ago keeps muscle spasms at bay. But every now and then if I move just the wrong way or overdo the bending and lifting, it seizes up anyway. As for my fear-muscle, I agree with Bev above. Isaiah 41:10 offers the comfort and fortitude I need! Thank you for the strengthening post, Michele!

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  15. These verses are indeed helpful. I remember when I broke my arms years ago, my fears came in the guise of what I wouldn’t be able ever again. But none of those worries came true and I was eventually restored to normal arm use after a few months. I’ve wasted a lot of mental and emotional energy in worrying!

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  16. I love this line: “God is a very present help in time of need, but he is not in the business of granting grace for troubles that haven’t happened yet!” It made me laugh to myself, because it’s so true. One of my it-hasn’t-happened-yet fears is the thought of something happening to my husband. Over and over again I have to remind myself that I can’t get ahead. Deuteronomy 31:6 is always a good one for fear: Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.

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  17. Striking off into territory that is none of my business. Ouch – but how true! I’m getting better at trying to redirect myself when I have set my face toward those none of my business territories – but these verses are great helps. Not to even turn that way!! Thanks!!

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  19. Loved this post. 2 Timothy 1:7 has been my go to for years but the last few weeks, its been Isaiah 41:10. God always brings a verse in such a timely way!

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  21. GREAT post! God tells us so many times not to worry. Recently, in studying gratitude, I learned that neuroscience has caught up to God’s Word. “Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition make your requests known to God with THANKSGIVING…” Gratitude rewires the brain and worry cannot exist in a heart of gratitude.

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  22. Such a timely post for me as I’m stretching my faith muscles to trust God without condition. I loved this line–“but he is not in the business of granting grace for troubles that haven’t happened yet!” No need to borrow trouble when He goes before us. Thanks, Michele.

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  23. Michelle, this is such an encouraging post! I love the way you put it – “When my mind veers into worry, I am striking off into territory that’s none of my business.” I need to remember this. Thank you for sharing and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Community. I hope you are having a lovely week!

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  25. Fear really is something else! This part struck me…”When my mind veers into worry, I am striking off into territory that’s none of my business.” I have been training myself to give up my worries to a higher power and it really makes all the difference in my quality of living. Thanks for sharing your beautiful message and linking with me!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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