Eira Wexford
It’s 2025, and things feel…well, a little scary sometimes. Life just seems to throw a lot at us, doesn’t it?
You’ve probably heard it before. Someone says it, a pastor mentions it in a sermon, or you see it on a coffee mug.
“The Bible tells us ‘do not be afraid’ 365 times, one for every day of the year!” It’s a lovely thought.
It really is. The idea of a daily dose of divine encouragement is super appealing. But is it actually true?
Let’s just get into it and see what’s really going on with this popular saying.
The Famous “365 Times” Idea: Is It a Myth?
So that big number, 365, is what everyone talks about. It’s clean, it’s memorable, and it fits perfectly with the calendar year.
The only little problem is that it’s not really accurate. Not in a literal sense, anyway.
This number is more of a spiritual tradition than a hard fact. It is something that has been passed around because the feeling behind it is correct.
The Bible talks a lot about not being afraid. A whole lot. But counting the exact phrases is where it gets messy.
So, How Many Times Does the Bible Actually Say “Do Not Be Afraid”?
If you sit down to count, you’re going to get different numbers. It really depends on the translation you’re using (like KJV, NIV, or ESV).
It also depends on what you count. Do you only count the exact words “do not be afraid”?
What about similar ideas? Phrases like “fear not,” “have no fear,” or “do not be dismayed.”
When you get down to it, most serious studies put the number of direct commands against fear somewhere between 80 and maybe 110 times.
That’s still a ton. It shows that this is a really big theme. God is constantly telling people to chill out and trust him.
Some other versions of the command include:
“Do not fear”
“Be not afraid”
“Be of good courage”
“Do not be terrified”
“Let not your hearts be troubled”
So while it’s not 365, the message is repeated over and over and over. It’s a consistent thing from the beginning of the book to the end.
Who Was God Talking To, Anyway?
This command wasn’t just shouted into the void. Normally, it was directed at specific people in really specific, and usually scary, situations.
God didn’t just tell people to stop being scared for no reason. He told them not to be afraid because of something He was about to do.
Big Names Facing Big Problems
Think about the major characters. They were often terrified, and for good reason. It is considered to be a normal human reaction.
Abraham: God tells him not to be afraid and promises him he’ll have a son and his descendants will be like the stars. Abraham was old and childless; that was a scary future.
Joshua: He had to take over from Moses, a total legend. He was supposed to lead a whole nation into a land full of enemies. God has to tell him “be strong and courageous” multiple times.
Mary: An angel appears and tells a young, unmarried girl she’s going to have a baby who is the Son of God. Her first reaction was fear, and the angel’s first words were, basically, “Don’t freak out.”
Regular People and Ordinary Fear
It wasn’t just for the superstars of the Bible. The message was for everyday people, too. The kind of fear we might feel.
The Shepherds: They were just hanging out, watching their sheep at night. Suddenly the sky explodes with a choir of angels. Of course they were scared. The angel says “Fear not!” before telling them the good news.
The Women at the Tomb: They go to anoint Jesus’ body and find an empty tomb and an angel. The situation was confusing and frightening. The angel again tells them, “Do not be afraid.”
The Disciples in the Storm
This one is a classic. The disciples are in a boat, a massive storm hits, and they think they’re going to die.
Meanwhile, Jesus is just sleeping in the back of the boat.
When they wake him up, panicking, he calms the storm. He asks them, “Why are you so afraid?” The point being that His presence should have changed their fear.
It’s a Command, But It’s Also a Promise
Here’s the part that’s easy to miss. When God says “do not be afraid,” it’s not like a parent saying “stop crying!”
It’s almost always followed by a reason. And the reason is the most important part of the whole thing.
The structure is usually: [Do Not Be Afraid] because [I Am With You].
The command isn’t about you trying harder to be brave. It’s not about pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.
The whole point is that you don’t have to be afraid because God is present. He is there. He is in control. His presence is the thing that cancels out the fear. That is the message that it is meant to convey.
This changes everything. It turns the command from an impossible task into an invitation to trust that someone bigger than your problems is right there with you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. So, exactly how many times does the Bible say “do not be afraid”?
There isn’t one single number, but it’s not 365. Most scholars say direct commands like “fear not” or “do not be afraid” appear around 100 times. The exact number changes a little depending on the Bible translation you read.
2. Is “fear not” the most common command in the Bible?
It’s definitely one of the most repeated. Some argue that “love” commands (love God, love your neighbor) are more frequent, but telling people not to be afraid is right up there. It shows how central this idea is.
3. What’s the difference between fearing God and being told not to fear?
That’s a great question. The “fear of the Lord” generally means something more like awe, reverence, and respect. It’s about understanding God’s power and holiness. The “do not be afraid” commands are about not letting anxiety, panic, and terror about your circumstances control you.
4. Why does the Bible talk about fear so much?
Because fear is a basic part of being human. The Bible is a very realistic book about people’s lives. It shows that even the greatest heroes of faith got scared. It talks about fear a lot because God is constantly meeting people in their most anxious moments.
5. Can I still find a verse about fear for every day of the year?
Absolutely. Even though the number 365 isn’t a direct count of one phrase, the Bible is so full of verses about courage, trust, and God’s promises that you could easily find 365 different verses to encourage you every single day. The spirit of the “365” idea is totally achievable.
Key Takeaways
The idea that “do not be afraid” is in the Bible 365 times is a popular myth, but the feeling behind it is true.
The actual number of direct commands against fear is closer to 100, which is still a very large number.
This command was given to all sorts of people, from famous leaders to ordinary shepherds, in real, scary situations.
The most important part of the command is the reason given: “for I am with you.” It’s a promise of God’s presence, not an order to just be tougher.
The message isn’t about eliminating the feeling of fear, but about choosing to trust God even when you feel afraid.
