“What does the Bible say about fear?”……The Bible mentions two specific types of fear.

The first type is beneficial and is to be encouraged. The second type is a detriment and is to be overcome.

The first type of fear is fear of the Lord.

This type of fear does not necessarily mean to be afraid of something.

Rather, it is a reverential awe of God; a reverence for His power and glory. However, it is also a proper respect for His wrath and anger.

In other words, the fear of the Lord is a total acknowledgement of all that God is, which comes through knowing Him and His attributes.…Fear of the Lord brings with it many blessings and benefits. It is the beginning of wisdom and leads to good understanding

Psalm 111:10…Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!

Proverbs 1:7

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 19:23

Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.( leads to life, rest, peace, and contentment)

It is the fountain of life

Proverbs 14:27

Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.

It provides a security and a place of safety for us

Proverbs 14:26

Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.…Thus, one can see how fearing God should be encouraged.

However, the second type of fear mentioned in the Bible is not beneficial at all. This is the "spirit of fear" mentioned in

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

A spirit of fearfulness and timidity does not come from God.…However, sometimes we are afraid, sometimes this "spirit of fear" overcomes us, and to overcome it we need to trust in and love God completely.

There is no fear in love. perfect love drives out fear

1 John 4:18

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

No one is perfect, and God knows this. That is why He has liberally sprinkled encouragement against fear throughout the Bible. Beginning in the book of Genesis and continuing throughout the book of Revelation, God reminds us to "Fear not."…We get encouragement from Scripture

Isaiah 41:10

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.

Often we fear the future and what will become of us. But Jesus reminds us that God cares for the birds of the air

Matthew 10:31

So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Just these few verses cover many different types of fear. God tells us not to be afraid of being alone, of being too weak, of not being heard, and of lacking physical necessities. These admonishments continue throughout the Bible, covering the many different aspects of the "spirit of fear."…The psalmist writes,

Psalm 56:11

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?

This is an awesome testimony to the power of trusting in God. Regardless of what happens, the psalmist will trust in God because he knows and understands the power of God.

The key to overcoming fear, then, is total and complete trust in God.

Trusting God is a refusal to give in to fear. It is a turning to God even in the darkest times and trusting Him to make things right.

This trust comes from knowing God and knowing that He is good.

As Job said when he was experiencing some of the most difficult trials recorded in the Bible,

Job 13:15

God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him.(An alternate reading in the Masoretic Text reads God might kill me, but I hope in him.)

Once we have learned to put our trust in God, we will no longer be afraid of the things that come against us. We will be like the psalmist who said with confidence

Psalm 5:11

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.