Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
This promise is one that I’ve found personally helpful for many years. I love the way the New Living Translation translates this promise. It says,
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.”
This promise is one of 365 verses in the Bible that says, “Don’t be afraid.” that’s one for every day of the year!
But let’s be honest, who hasn’t dealt with anxiety and fear? They are threatening enemies to face. What is it you are most afraid of? Failure? An economic collapse? Losing your job? Disease? Loneliness? Death?
One psychological site says phobias are the most common mental disorder today and documents some 530 different fears. Christ followers are no exception. Even the great apostle Paul struggled with his own fears. He confessed to the church in Corinth,
1 Corinthians 2:3 “I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling…”
He admitted his fears, but he didn’t let them prevent him from coming. He didn’t allow his fears to control him.
How do you face your fears with that kind of faith? Isaiah offers three insights in today’s promise that we can use to prevent our fears from controlling our lives.
1. Recognize that you are not alone: God is with you.
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you….”
2. Be encouraged: God is for you.
“Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.”
To be discouraged is to take courage away. To be encouraged is to add courage. When we are afraid, we become discouraged and forget that the God who is with us is also for us. He has established a relationship with us. “I am your God.”
In writing to the Romans, Paul said this:
Romans 8:31 “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
3. Rely on His strength: God is in you.
“I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.” Fear cripples us because we don’t think we have the strength. When we shift our focus from ourselves to Christ who indwells us, we can rely on His strength.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Faith is never passive. It’s intentional and active. To conquer our fears with faith, we must realize we are not alone and believe that the God who is with us is also for us and will empower us with His indwelling presence.
Courage is not the absence of fear. It’s moving forward despite those fears, trusting in God’s help and His promise of strength. This is a great promise to memorize and meditate on throughout your day. Make it personal as you do.