Living Out the Most Common Command in the Bible

Of all Bible based life lessons, the most repeated one in the entire Bible is simply this: “Do not fear.” This phrase is repeated an impressive 365 times throughout the Old and New Testaments. It’s clear that God knew exactly how much His people struggled with fear. Scripture commands believers to “cast all your anxiety on him [God] because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). This is easier said than done, but there are several ways we can work towards trading our fear for faith.

Pray About Everything

Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us of the power of prayer as an antidote for fear: “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.” Prayer should always be our first line of defense against fear. We may still struggle with total surrender to God’s sovereignty, but each day we can choose to abide a little more fully by seeking His power through prayer.

Trust God’s Strength

We may often fear that we are too weak to rely on God’s strength. However, Andrew Murray reminds us that “abiding in Christ is just meant for the weak, and so beautifully suited to their feebleness.” Scripture affirms this in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Paul writes that it is precisely when he is weak that God’s power is made perfect in him. The same is true for other believers as well: When we humbly admit our weakness, the Lord can do His best work through us and begin to vanquish our fear.

Remember God Is Present

Even in our darkest moments, our heavenly father is never far from us. Scripture reminds us over and over that He will never leave us or forsake us. Just like a good father doesn’t abandon his children, so God remains ever-present with us. Unlike our earthly fathers who may fail at this from time to time, God never fails in His promise. In fact, even when we are faithless, He still remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). As we practice grasping this truth, we loosen the grasp of fear on our hearts.

Even in the most terrifying of moments, God hears our prayers and remains true to His promises. He will never leave our side. By daily trusting in Him, we become ever more faithful to His command: Do not fear.