How are you fighting the fear of the unknown when it is gripping you? The uncertainty of a crucial medical check. The start of a new job. The relocation in another city. Do you know that God addresses very specifically the fear of the unknown in His word?
Fighting the Fear of the Unknown with God’s Message
Knowing and understanding God’s message is a mighty weapon for fighting the fear of the unknown. In Isaiah 41, and Isaiah 42 God is giving one of the most encouraging and motivating speeches to His people. Here is the summarized essence of His words with which He speaks to each of us if we choose to hear and believe:
“Do not fear! I will lead you and guide you safely and successfully on unfamiliar paths. I will illuminate them and make them level and smooth. I will support you, help you and will never leave you! Since I am your Helper and the Source of your power, I will equip you to succeed and overcome all obstacles and mountains on the way and you will rejoice in me! I am directing you and make you know the path of life. I am navigating you through your life.”
Be sure to pin me for later!
5 Core Truths to Lean On
- God is the One leading us. He is the perfect Guide and Navigator, because He knows best and He can do everything. For Him there is no unknown and unfamiliar. He foresees and provides for us in advance. God is leading us in the specific path for our lives.
- He is guiding us safely. God knows that one of our greatest needs is for safety and security. His promise is for a safe passage. Whatever lies in front of us, with Him we are safe.
- God wants us to succeed. He promises successful walking on unfamiliar paths. In order for this to happen, He does two things: He illuminates the path before us and makes it level and smooth, so we can not stumble.
- God offers and provides His constant help and support. He is with us 24/7. There is no place in space and time where God is not present. He wants that we seek and accept His help and provision.
- God is making us overcomers. He promises that we will succeed and overcome all obstacles and mountains standing in our way.
Some Thoughts on Success and Safety
It is important though to align our concept for success and safety with the Biblical concept. Very often, we define success and safety in our terms and then we are disappointed and questioning God. Success does not mean that everything will develop according to our plans and expectations. It means that God’s purpose and plans will prevail. His purposes and plans have to do much more with our character development than with our comfort. More than this, they are eternity-focused.
Safety does not mean that nothing will touch us. Suffering, and experiencing disappointments and losses will be part of our journey. However, God promises that He preserves us forever and nothing can destroy us irreversibly. Our life is hidden in Him. Nothing can separate us from His presence and love. We may also stumble and fail on the way, but He is there to lift us up and stabilize us so we can keep walking and persevere.
Fear of the Unknown – Bible quotes
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. (Isaiah 41:10)
I will lead the blind in ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:16)
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. “See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. (Isaiah 41:13-15)
The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth. (Isaiah 26:7)
You make known to me the path of life; (Psalm 16:11)
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. (Habakkuk 3:19)
Click here for a printable of these quotes.
For more Bible verses in different translations and languages, you can visit BibleGateway.com. It is a great place to read and study the Bible.
Conclusion
When we remember and dwell in our thoughts on God’s message, when we choose to speak these words to ourselves and others, we are applying them and exercising faith. The result is freedom from the fear of the unknown, new strength, and success in following God’s plan and calling for our lives. Most of all, we will experience increased joy, pleasure, and satisfaction walking and overcoming in God’s presence.
More Encouragement for You
If you need more resources and encouragement to help you overcome your fears and become a person of faith and courage, I can highly recommend these books. Check them out.
Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings by Hadassah Treu
Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk
Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert
Restoration Year – a 365 Days Devotional by John Eldredge
All Things New by John Eldredge
Transforming Your Thought Life by Sarah Geringer
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
Forward: Discovering God’s Presence and Purpose in Your Tomorrow by David Jeremiah
Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics by William Lane Craig
Extinguishing the Spirit of Fear: 30 Devotions to Battle Fear and Anxiety by Devotable
Before You Quit: Everyday Endurance, Moral Courage, and the Quest for Purpose by Doug Gehman
This page contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. The commission I make from these items will help keep this blog going. Thank you!
Your Turn
What part of God’s message is your favorite? In what situations of your life can you apply it? If you find this post helpful, please comment and share it on social media. Thanks!
The fear of the unknown recedes when we rest in God’s assurance that He guides us safely and successfully on unfamiliar paths. #fears #safety #Godsword #encouragement Share on X
Want to know more about me before you sign up? You can read about me HERE and check my books HERE.
Our lives are hidden in Christ and I don’t need to be afraid of the unknown. God is with me and He goes with me, guiding me every step of the way. This is so encouraging Hadassah. Love you sweet sister …
Thanks so much, friend! Yes, there is nothing to be afraid of as long as we rest in the truth that God is always with us. Blessings to you, sweet friend!
Thank you for the encouragement! One of my favorite verses is Joshua 1:9, which goes right along with this theme. Uncertainty is difficult, but I’ve always taken comfort in the fact that I never have to face anything alone.
Thank you, Lisa! Yes, this is a great verse to add to our battle verses!
Beautiful reminds me of the poem “Footprints”. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you for your feedback, Yaya! I am glad that this post has encouraged you!
Fear of the unknown is definitely something I struggle with. It’s hard when you’re not in control! But these are amazing, reassuring truths. Knowing that God is with us and that he will guide us on the path ahead makes a big difference. Isaiah 41:10 is one of my favourites.
Thanks a lot for your comment, Lesley! I can fully relate. Very often the source of my anxiety is exactly the fear of the unknown. I love the comfort of God’s Word. My favorite is Psalm 16 and Habakkuk 3:19.
Your encouragement to align our definition of success with God’s is absolutely essential. This is a life-changing Truth!
Thank you so much, Jana! Yes, I have found out that a lot of our disappointments, doubts, and questions are stemming from our own preconceptions about success, safety, happiness and so on. It is vital to know and to embrace the biblical concepts.
This is so encouraging, Hadassah! I like the reminder that we are safe in God’s care as he leads us. It doesn’t always feel or even look safe, but we are firmly in his grip!
Thanks a lot for your words, Stacey! Yes, you are right. We need to fight the good fight of faith choosing truth over our emotions and perceptions.
He’s always got our back!
So true, Kelly! It is such a comfort to know that He is always with us guiding, providing and protecting!
What a wonderful surprise to find these ‘words to read’ …
Thank you! Yes, nothing can compare with the comfort the Word of God can give us in every situation and struggle.