Joshua 1:9 · Old Testament
When Fear Has Taken Hold
Fear is one of the most honest things a person can feel. Scripture doesn't shame it — from Gethsemane to Liberty Jail, the people God used most were people who admitted they were afraid. The difference is what they did next.
Fear of the Future, Fear of People, Fear of Failure
These passages come from across the breadth of scripture — Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the words of General Authorities who have spoken directly into fear.
2 Timothy 1:7New Testament"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."Pauls reminder to Timothy — fear as a spirit is not from God. This passage reframes fear not as a personal failure but as something to be identified and replaced.1 Nephi 3:7Book of Mormon"I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them."Nephi said this standing at the edge of a genuinely dangerous mission. Not the absence of fear — but the decision to move anyway, grounded in trust.Doctrine and Covenants 6:36Doctrine & Covenants"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."Simple. Direct. One of the clearest commands in all of scripture — and paired with a direction: look toward, not away. The antidote to fear is focus.Psalm 27:1Old Testament"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"Davids defiant question — not denial of danger, but a reorientation of what danger means when God is present.Elder Neil L. AndersenGeneral Conference"Faith and fear cannot coexist in our hearts at the same time. In the warfare of the latter days, we each choose our captain."From a General Conference address on faith. The image of choosing a captain reframes fear not as an emotion to suppress, but as a loyalty to redirect.
2 Timothy 1:7
New Testament
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
Pauls reminder to Timothy — fear as a spirit is not from God. This passage reframes fear not as a personal failure but as something to be identified and replaced.
1 Nephi 3:7
Book of Mormon
"I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them."
Nephi said this standing at the edge of a genuinely dangerous mission. Not the absence of fear — but the decision to move anyway, grounded in trust.
Doctrine and Covenants 6:36
Doctrine & Covenants
"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."
Simple. Direct. One of the clearest commands in all of scripture — and paired with a direction: look toward, not away. The antidote to fear is focus.
Psalm 27:1
Old Testament
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Davids defiant question — not denial of danger, but a reorientation of what danger means when God is present.
Elder Neil L. Andersen
General Conference
"Faith and fear cannot coexist in our hearts at the same time. In the warfare of the latter days, we each choose our captain."
From a General Conference address on faith. The image of choosing a captain reframes fear not as an emotion to suppress, but as a loyalty to redirect.
Not Sure Which Scripture Is Really for You?
Find the Scripture That Fits Where You AreAnswer a few honest questions about what you are facing. We will find the passage that fits your specific fear — not a generic verse, but the right one.
What Kind of Fear Are You Carrying?
Fear of the Future, Fear of People, Fear of Failure
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These were not fearless people. They were afraid — and they went anyway. Ask them how.
"The scripture that fits where you are is waiting."
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