Usually, for “Words of Christ” devotionals, Darkened Glass Reflections relies on the daily Bible readings from the Book of Common Prayer. However, today’s post is a sequel to Saturday’s devotional.

That article mentioned that Jesus frequently told His disciples not to fear. The following are a few of the times Jesus spoke about fear, worry, anxiety, etc. (All verses are from the New American Standard Bible.) The Old Testament and the rest of the New Testament have many more. For further study, find a good concordance or Google “Bible verses about fear.” There is a wealth of wisdom about fear in the Bible. Just don’t let it intimidate you.

“Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span?” (Matthew 6:26-27).

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).

And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (Matthew 8:25-27).

“Are two sparrows not sold for an assarion? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not fear; you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31).

And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40).

But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36).

“Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful” (John 14:27).

In the face of death, sickness, and disaster, Jesus tells us again and again: “Don’t be afraid.”

How has faith in Jesus helped you handle fear? Are there any fears you still need to surrender to Him?

Copyright © 2023 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.