8 Bible Verses for When You Are Scared of the Future

Have you been looking toward the future and feeling uncertain or fearful? In these times, God’s Word offers comfort and hope. Today, we’ll explore eight Bible verses for when you are scared of the future.

I invite you to join me as we travel back in time and talk about God’s care for us when we feel afraid. Then, we’ll see what Scripture has to say about overcoming the fear of the future. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you draw near to God and find peace.

8 Bible Verses for When You Are Scared of the Future

I remember it as if it were yesterday. I’m fiddling with the latch on my green Care Bears lunchbox when Mrs. Nagel gently encourages me to take a step to the left. Apparently, I’m the juxtaposed member of an otherwise pencil-straight line of kindergartners.

I’m scared of pretty much everything these days. Mostly, I’m scared of the future in this wide and frightening world.

I miss my mom like it’s nobody’s business, and this whole mess of leaving her for approximately 3.5 hours a day is just about more than my five-year-old heart can take.

I have no idea how I’ll ever get married and leave the house. But I leave that thought alone and just try to swallow the tears that spring up every time I think of her.

When You’re Scared of the Future

The colossal correction from Mrs. Nagel triggers the tears again, and I gulp hard.

“Stacey,” Mrs. Nagel says gently, and somewhere behind the words, I hear all the love in the world.

Something about her voice reminds me of my mom. But it doesn’t bring tears this time. I look right into her eyes, and I see a kind of compassion that wraps me in comfort.

When she says my name, I know she sees me. It’s all going to be okay. We’re going to get through this, and she’s going to walk with me.

“No tears now,” she softly says, touching my arm tenderly.

I nod my little head and clench my lunchbox handle with two hands, eyes straight ahead. I’ve got this. I’ve got this standing in line thing, and this getting on the bus thing, and this leaving Mom thing. We’re gonna make it.

Facing the Fear of Uncertainty

We did make it.

Mrs. Nagel and I soared through kindergarten together, and by the end of the year, the tears were a rarity. Her kindness and gentleness walked me through the hard transition.

This memory comes to mind when I read the account of Mary standing at Jesus’ tomb. She is prepared to anoint Jesus’ body with oil. Most likely, she is fearful of the future without him, but she focuses on what she can now do for him in his death.

She arrives at the tomb to discover the body is gone.

She is grieved over his death, and now she’s distraught over his missing body.

Where could he be? Why would someone steal his body?

She is deeply disturbed and entirely broken.

And then, the impossible happens.

Someone comes to the tomb beside her. Assuming he is the gardener, she glances at him and begs him to tell her where they might have put the body. Her mind is racing, and she doesn’t know this is the One she vehemently seeks.

She doesn’t know it’s him until he says her name, “Mary.”

I imagine the tone. It’s direct, yet filled with compassion. Jesus wants her to know he sees her. He sees her heart and her desperation.

One Word to Change Everything

She recognizes him the moment he says her name. She responds, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher).* And from that moment, everything changes. The redemption of humankind is at hand. His body was not stolen; he is alive!

In some ways, this scene reminds me of the day Mrs. Nagel spoke my name.

She saw into my heart and reminded me we’d get through it.

It reminds me that just as he knew Mary by name, he knows my name. He is watching, waiting, and walking with me through this season.

Jesus knows your name, too.

Maybe you are facing uncertain days or you’re scared of the future (Join me here if this is you).

You need something to hold onto, or someone to hold onto you, as you step into a new season.

The Promise for When You’re Scared of the Future

Dear friend, Jesus is speaking your name today.

He has engraved you on the palms of his hands.

Close your eyes and imagine the sound of his voice as he speaks your name today.

He sees. He has this. Lean in. Breathe. Be still and relax into him.

Jesus waits for you to encounter him in the midst of your uncertainty. He has engraved you on the palms of his hands. #engravedonhishands #encounteringGod #uncertainfuture Share on X

8 Bible Verses for When You Are Scared of the Future

Now, let’s look at eight Bible verses for when you are scared of the future.

1. Psalm 56:3-4, ESV

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Several years ago, our family decided to start memorizing Bible verses together. Psalm 56:3 was our first memory verse. Our children can all readily repeat the words, “When I am afraid, I will trust you.”

We memorized this verse first because the kids were all facing various fears at the time: the fear of the dark, the fear of new school years, and the fear of the unknown.

Over the past years, I’ve overheard them repeating this verse countless times: in dark bedrooms, before going outside at night, before big tests at school, and more.

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts and speaking it during challenging times empowers us. I encourage you to commit this verse to memory and speak it when you feel afraid or anxious.

2. Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

This is one of my favorite Bible verses to calm fear. Isaiah’s words remind us of several powerful truths: God is with us; he is in control; he gives us strength; he helps us; he upholds us.

God has not left your side. No matter what form of fear or anxiety you are facing today, you can face it because God is with you.

3. Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

I’ve spent much of my life learning to muster up my own strength and courage. Sadly, this self-sufficient strength always runs out.

God invites us to turn to him for strength and courage instead of relying on ourselves. Because God is with us, we can overcome fear and walk in his strength and courage.

4. Proverbs 29:25

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

At times, my fears are founded on concerns about what other people might think of me. I worry that I might fail and disappoint someone. I worry that my mistakes will render me inadequate or incompetent.

In these times, I remind myself that I am trusting in and walking with God. As I stand on these reminders, the fear of disappointing others (or being rejected) loses its grip on me.

If you are afraid of disappointing someone or falling short, remind yourself that God is not calling you to be perfect. You are not defined by your performance. Your identity is found in God’s unwavering love for you.

5. Deuteronomy 3:22

You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.

This powerful verse reminds us that when we face life’s battles, God fights for us.

Do you need God to fight a battle for you today? Ask him to surround you with his protective wings as he fights this battle.

6. Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Most of us face stress and anxiety. When these moments come, God calls us to rise above anxiety by turning to him in prayer, with thanksgiving. Have you ever noticed that it’s impossible to worry about a situation while simultaneously giving thanks?

Instead of embracing anxious or fearful thoughts, turn to God in prayer. Find a reason to thank him and then tell him what’s on your mind. He wants to help you, deliver you from fear, and lead you into his peace.

7. Romans 8:15

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

This powerful verse reminds us that we are not called to walk in fear. Just as a child feels safe with his loving father, we are safe with God.

When fear arises within you, cry out to him. He is a good Father and wants to carry you and deliver you.

8. 1 Peter 5:6-7

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

I appreciate the image of casting our anxieties on God. When we forcefully throw our worries, cares, and fears onto him, he lifts them because he cares for us.

What worries do you need to cast on God today?

I invite you to take a moment to cast your heaviest cares onto him. He knows you by name. He is with you, and he wants to carry your burdens for you.

Calling All Parents and Grandparents!

As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.

Calling All Boy Moms (and Dads)!

God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.

Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter

Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.

Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.

Find Our Family Devotionals Here

Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.

Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing

God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!

A Free Devotional to Help You Connect With God

God is a good Father, and he wants us to experience his healing, deliverance, and replenishment. Most of us have learned that we cannot heal, deliver, or refresh ourselves; we need God to do this work within us. I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment. Find it for free here.