Don’t Afraid
My friend Nik Ripken tells a story about a flight he took on Ethiopian Airlines. The flight was a leg going deeper into Africa, and was not a large plane. After several bouts of turbulence and some equipment rattling, he asked the flight attendant if everything was ok. They replied in broken English, “Don’t afraid. Everything ok.” From then on everything of concern was answered with “Don’t afraid.” Dr Ripken decided that “Don’t afraid” must have been the official motto of Ethiopian Air!
We have a similar assurance that comes from God’s Word and from Jesus Himself. We too are to live our lives and “don’t afraid.” In fact, the Bible contains some 365 admonitions for us NOT to fear, not to be afraid. And when God tells us not to be afraid, He also tells us why….some 365 times!
With this post, I am adding eleven verses that give us reason not to fear, even in days where COVID and a volatile election dominate the headlines. As the people of God, “don’t afraid” should be our motto too! And because Jesus lives, WE DON’T HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR!
Take one of these each day as your own personal verse for the next eleven days, and see if your fear will not subside and your anxiety begin to fall away. Child of God, we don’t have to live in fear. Jesus promised!
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Proverbs 3:23–24
“Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
Isaiah 41:10
“…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.”
Hebrews 13:5–6
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”
Psalm 112:6–8
“For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.”
Psalm 56:3–4
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”
Psalm 91:4–5
“He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.”
Psalm 46:1–3
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 34:4–5
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”
DON’T AFRAID!
