2480) Fear has always had a grip on me. It’s funny, though, because I’m not afraid of many things others typically are. I’m not afraid of spiders, snakes, or mice, but I am afraid of violence, loud noises, confrontation, and more.

Depending on which English version you are reading, the term “fear not” appears in the Bible 71 times, such as in Isaiah 41:10.

As I read some of these verses, I wonder how I can choose to not be afraid; after all, it’s an emotion that pops in whenever it wants.

Yet, fear is something we can choose not to be controlled by, when this often-debilitating emotion creeps in.

We can bring it to God in prayer and Scripture reading and allowing God to bring peace that comes with trusting him to do what he promises, such as, I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5. On this earth, there will be fear, but we need not be controlled by it.