The Bible tells numerous stories of people being afraid. One of the most striking and thought-provoking stories is that of Abraham in Genesis 15. There are four significant moments in this passage, three of them deal with Abraham’s fear: This story is included here because it illustrates, like the other passages we cite, how everyone experiences fear. Check out Stories of Fear in the Bible, bible character who overcame fear and examples of overcoming fear in the bible.
Fear is a powerful motivator. In the Bible, fear is used as a tool to help people change their lives.
In Genesis, God tells Adam not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. He knows that eating from this tree will make Adam and Eve feel like they’re on their own and separate from Him. This can be scary for anyone, so He tells them that if they eat from this tree then they’ll die (Genesis 2:17). This is meant to scare them into never eating from it again.
In Numbers 22-24, Balaam’s donkey sees an angel standing in their way and refuses to go any further; this causes Balaam’s anger to grow until he hits his donkey with his staff three times. Then the Lord opens Balaam’s eyes and he sees that the donkey has seen an angel—and now he’s afraid! The Lord tells him that He has seen everything that has happened and how Balaam has hit his donkey three times with his staff out of anger (Numbers 22:28-29). The Lord then tells Balaam what he should say when Balak comes looking for answers about why these curses aren’t working on Israel (v.#).
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Stories of Fear in the Bible
1. The Story of Gideon
Judges 6:11-12
“Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!'”
Judges 6:15
“‘O Lord,’ Gideon replied, ‘how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!'”
2. The Story of David and Goliath
1 Samuel 17:11
“When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.”
1 Samuel 17:32
” ‘Don’t worry about this Philistine,’ David told Saul. ‘I’ll go fight him!'”
3. The Story of Elijah
1 Kings 19:3-4
“Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die.”
1 Kings 19:10
“Elijah replied, ‘I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.'”
These stories from the Bible illustrate how fear can affect even the most faithful followers of God. Despite their initial fear and doubts, they ultimately found strength and courage through their faith. The stories serve as a reminder that even in our moments of fear, we can turn to God for strength and guidance.
Most of us today have a different idea of fear than the writers and readers of the Bible. We think first about what scares us, but in biblical times, people were much more concerned with awe, reverence, and respect—the type that might make you fall to your knees. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the ways that God’s people experienced fear or awe in the Bible. More importantly, we’ll learn how they overcame their fears through faith in God and what lessons we can learn from them today.
Adam and Eve
Adam and Eve were created by God to live in the Garden of Eden. They were told not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but they disobeyed God’s command and ate from it anyway. As a result, they were cast out of the Garden—this story is known as “the Fall”.
The Tower of Babel
The story of the Tower of Babel is told in the book of Genesis. It tells us that, at one time, all people spoke the same language. But then they built a huge tower and God looked down at their work and saw that it was good. So he decided to punish them by confusing their speech so that they would not be able to finish building their tower.
One thing you’ll notice about this story is how everyone has a different name—even though they are all part of one family! And yet another thing you should notice is how many times God himself uses his own name: “I am going to punish them for putting up this big tower”; “I am going to confuse their languages so that they can’t understand each other anymore”; “Now give me your firstborn children so I can destroy them with fire and smoke coming out from my nostrils!”
Moses
Moses was afraid. He was afraid to talk to God, he was afraid to confront Pharaoh, and he was afraid of going to Egypt. That’s right; Moses had a healthy fear of authority figures in general, but his fear of the Pharaoh (and his own people) went beyond that. When God told him that he had been chosen by Him as His special representative on Earth and told him what He wanted him to do—go talk with Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt—Moses said no way!
Then later when God gave him another chance and said “I want you go back into Egypt again, this time with My power behind you (to show them who really runs things),” Moses remained stubbornly resistant until God called him “slow of mouth” (Exodus 4:10). But once again Moses refused because he feared what would happen if Pharaoh refused yet again; after all these years living among Egyptians; how could Moses possibly expect them not only accept but also follow one lone Hebrew?
David and Goliath
- The story of David and Goliath is one of the most famous battles in all of Scripture. It’s also one of the first stories we learned as children, so it’s a bit different from some of the others on this list in terms of its familiarity to us. But even if you’ve heard it before, there are still plenty of details that might have slipped your mind over time—and they’re worth revisiting before reading on!
- First off: David was just a shepherd boy. Remember this fact because it will be very important later on when he goes off to battle Goliath in front of everyone at court (and wins).
- Second: Goliath was more than just a giant; he was also Philistine and warrior—meaning he had been trained for combat since childhood and knew how best to use his considerable strength against those who weren’t prepared for him (like poor little David). He wasn’t just trying his hand at bullying people either—he intended on using violence as an effective means toward achieving his goals (which were probably conquering Israel or something like that).
- Third: If these facts aren’t enough reason not to mess with someone like Goliath (or perhaps instead they should be), then consider how scary their threats were! They didn’t need weapons or tactics because their words alone would strike fear into anyone who heard them; imagine having those words directed at yourself!
Jonah
Jonah was afraid of being swallowed by a whale.
No, really. He was. Jonah was so scared at the idea of God judging him that he ran away from his calling to preach in Nineveh—and then he got on a ship headed in the opposite direction! The sailors were about to throw him overboard when God sent a big fish (probably a whale) to swallow him up and spit him out somewhere safe where Jonah could do his job.
In this story, God is showing us that there’s nothing we can’t face if we’re willing to trust Him with our lives and let Him lead us through what we’re afraid of.
Bible Characters Who Overcame Fear
David
– 1 Samuel 17:45-47: “Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand.'”
Moses
– Exodus 4:12: “Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”
Joshua
– Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Esther
– Esther 4:16: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”
Paul
– 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
| Bible Character | Verse |
|---|---|
| David | 1 Samuel 17:45-47 |
| Moses | Exodus 4:12 |
| Joshua | Joshua 1:9 |
| Esther | Esther 4:16 |
| Paul | 2 Timothy 1:7 |
Bible Stories About Fear Of Failure
1. Peter Walking on Water
In Matthew 14:22-33, we have the story of Peter walking on water. When he saw Jesus walking on the water, he wanted to join Him. However, as soon as Peter took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves, he began to sink in fear. This story serves as a reminder that when we focus on our fears and doubts, we are more likely to fail.
2. Moses at the Burning Bush
In Exodus 3-4, we read about how God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses responded with fear and doubt, making excuses about his abilities and questioning God’s plan. However, God reassured him and equipped him for the task at hand. This story teaches us that God can overcome our fear of failure and empower us to do His will.
3. Gideon and the Midianites
In Judges 6-7, we have the story of Gideon, who was called by God to defeat the Midianites. Despite his initial fear and doubts, Gideon obeyed God’s commands and led a small army to victory. This story demonstrates that God can use even the most unlikely individuals to accomplish great things, if they trust in Him and overcome their fear of failure.
| Bible Verse | Story |
|---|---|
| Matthew 14:31 | Peter Walking on Water |
| Exodus 3:11-12 | Moses at the Burning Bush |
| Judges 7:2-7 | Gideon and the Midianites |
These Bible stories remind us that fear of failure is a common human experience, but with faith in God and obedience to His will, we can overcome it. Let us take courage from these examples and trust in God’s strength to lead us through any challenges or uncertainties we may face.
Who Was The Most Fearful Person In The Bible
The Bible is filled with stories of individuals facing great challenges and difficulties. Throughout its pages, we see examples of bravery, faith, and courage. However, there is also a story of a person who is often considered one of the most fearful individuals in the Bible – King Saul.
King Saul’s Fear
King Saul was the first king of Israel, chosen by God to lead His people. Despite his initial success in battle and leadership, Saul’s downfall was his increasing fear and lack of trust in God. His actions and decisions out of fear ultimately led to his downfall and loss of favor with God.
Several Bible verses illustrate Saul’s fear and the consequences of his actions:
- 1 Samuel 13:12 – “So I said, ‘The Philistines are about to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.’”
- 1 Samuel 15:24 – “Then Saul said to Samuel, ‘I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them.'”
- 1 Samuel 28:5-6 – “When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid and terror filled his heart. He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.”
These verses reveal Saul’s fear-driven decisions and his reliance on his own understanding rather than trusting in God. His fear led him to disobey God’s commands and ultimately resulted in his downfall.
Consequences of Fear
Saul’s fear had severe consequences not just for himself, but for the entire nation of Israel. His lack of faith in God’s promises led to a series of defeats in battle and the eventual loss of his kingship.
1 Samuel 16:14 – “Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.”
God withdrew His favor from Saul due to his fear and disobedience, leading to spiritual and personal torment for the king. Saul’s fear not only affected his relationship with God but also his mental and emotional well-being.
Learnings from Saul’s Fear
The story of King Saul serves as a cautionary tale for believers. His fear and lack of trust in God led to his downfall and separation from God’s favor. We are reminded to place our trust in God and not allow fear to dictate our decisions and actions.
Proverbs 29:25 – “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”
By trusting in God and seeking His guidance, we can overcome fear and walk in faith and confidence as we navigate life’s challenges.
2 Types of Fear in the Bible
Fear of the Lord
The Bible often speaks of the fear of the Lord as a positive and healthy reverence for God. This type of fear is not about being afraid of punishment, but rather about recognizing God’s power and authority. It is a deep respect for the Almighty and a desire to obey His commandments. Here are some verses that explain the fear of the Lord:
- Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
- Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
- Psalm 111:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.”
Unhealthy Fear
On the other hand, the Bible also warns against a different type of fear – one that is based on anxiety, doubt, and lack of trust in God. This type of fear is not from the Lord and can lead to sin and disobedience. Here are some verses that address unhealthy fear:
- 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
- 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
- Matthew 10:28: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
It is important for believers to have a healthy fear of the Lord, which leads to wisdom and obedience. At the same time, we must guard against unhealthy fear that can hinder our faith and trust in God. Let us strive to cultivate a deep reverence for God and cast aside all fear that does not come from Him.
Examples of Fear in the Bible
Fear of the Lord
One of the most common phrases used in the Bible is “fear of the Lord.” This type of fear is not a fear of being scared or afraid, but rather a reverential awe and respect for God. In Proverbs 9:10, it says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” This verse emphasizes that having a fear of the Lord is essential for gaining wisdom and understanding.
Another example of the fear of the Lord can be found in Psalms 111:10, which says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.” This verse reinforces the idea that those who fear the Lord will gain wisdom and understanding by following his commandments.
Fear of the Unknown
Throughout the Bible, there are instances where people experience fear of the unknown. In Isaiah 41:10, it says, “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.” This verse reassures believers that God is with them in times of uncertainty and fear.
Another example of fear of the unknown can be found in Psalm 56:3, which says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” This verse encourages believers to trust in God when they are feeling fearful or anxious about the unknown.
Fear of Failure
Many people experience fear of failure at some point in their lives, and the Bible offers guidance on this type of fear as well. In Joshua 1:9, it says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” This verse reminds believers that they can overcome their fear of failure with strength and courage from God.
Another example of fear of failure can be found in Philippians 4:6-7, which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This verse encourages believers to turn to God in times of fear and anxiety, knowing that he will give them peace and guard their hearts and minds.
| Verse | Description |
|---|---|
| Proverbs 9:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom |
| Isaiah 41:10 | Do not fear, for I am with you |
| Philippians 4:6-7 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God |
Stories Of Victory In The Bible
1. David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45-47)
In this famous story, young David faces the giant warrior Goliath in battle. Despite being much smaller and less experienced, David trusts in God and defeats Goliath with a single stone from his sling. This story demonstrates how faith and courage can lead to victory in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
2. The Battle of Jericho (Joshua 6:20)
When the Israelites faced the heavily fortified city of Jericho, God commanded them to march around the city walls for seven days. On the seventh day, after seven laps around the city, the walls came crashing down, and the Israelites were able to conquer the city. This story shows how obedience to God’s instructions can lead to miraculous victories.
3. The Crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22)
When the Israelites were pursued by the Egyptian army and trapped at the Red Sea, God miraculously parted the waters, allowing them to cross on dry land. The pursuing army was then drowned as the waters closed back in on them. This story demonstrates God’s power to deliver his people from impossible situations.
4. The Triumph of Esther (Esther 7:3-6)
Queen Esther risked her life to stand up for her people, the Jews, against the evil plot of Haman. Through her bravery and God’s intervention, Esther was able to expose Haman’s plan and ultimately save her people from destruction. This story is a powerful example of how courage and faith can lead to victory in the face of adversity.
These stories from the Bible serve as timeless reminders of the power of faith, courage, and obedience in achieving victory over obstacles and enemies. Just as these individuals triumphed with God’s help, we too can find strength and inspiration in their examples as we face our own challenges.
7 Types Of Fear In The Bible
Fear of God versus fear of man
Fear of man is different from fear of God. Fear of man is rooted in the fear of losing something you have, be it a job, position, or reputation. Fear of God is rooted in the fear of losing something greater—eternal life with Jesus Christ.
The Bible has many examples of people who feared men more than they feared God. Consider King Saul and how he was afraid that David would take his throne (1 Samuel 28). Or consider Judas Iscariot: he was so worried about getting caught stealing money from Jesus that he betrayed Him to His enemies (Matthew 26). In contrast, we see those who believed in Jesus even though they could have been persecuted for their faith—for example, Stephen (Acts 6) and Daniel (Daniel 1). Even though these believers risked death by being faithful to God’s word and living according to biblical principles over societal norms, they still chose obedience over compromise.
bible character who overcame fear
- He successfully trusted God and it paid off. “By faith, Noah built an ark for the saving of his household” (Hebrews 11:7). He was faced with a difficult task, but he overcame it because he knew that God would protect him and his family.
- She persevered through many trials. “By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised” (Hebrews 11:11). Instead of giving up when life got tough or her body changed, this woman kept waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled.
The Bible is full of stories about overcoming fear.
The Bible is full of stories about overcoming fear. Let’s take a look at some of them:
- The Israelites are afraid when they see the Egyptian army, but God gives them courage and power to defeat the enemy (Exodus 14).
- Rahab fears being discovered as she helps two spies who are trying to escape from Jericho, but God protects her (Joshua 2).
- Job’s friends are afraid that he will die because they don’t understand why God is allowing so much suffering in their lives, but Job doesn’t waver from his faith in God (Job 2).
- Peter denies Jesus three times before he repents, knowing he has been forgiven by Christ’s death on the cross for us all (Matthew 26).
If you’re looking for a way to start overcoming fear, the Bible is an excellent place to begin. It offers a wealth of stories about those who have faced their fears and overcome them with God’s help. Adam and Eve overcame the fear of being separated from God; Moses, David, Jonah and others overcame their fear of death or failure; Even the entire nation of Israel overcame their fear of foreigners. These are just a few examples from many in this great book! If you want to learn more about how each story relates to overcoming fear, check out our “Bible Stories That teaches Us How To Overcome Fear” blog post.
examples of overcoming fear in the bible
Nearly every day my waking thoughts are fearful and unbelieving.
Before I walk out the door, I’ve already come up with several reasons why things won’t go the way I hope they will, and I start getting afraid of the challenges that lie ahead. Perhaps you can relate.
Here are some thoughts that run through my head that make me feel anxious about my day:
- “You’re no good.”
- “No one cares about you.”
- “You can’t do anything right.”
- “You’re going to mess everything up.”
- “Don’t even try.”
If you have a recording of negative thoughts in your head playing loud and on repeat, you’re not likely to be taking any faithful action anytime soon. We need to turn to God’s Word for help by reading stories of courage in the Bible.
examples of overcoming fear in the bible
I began this courage Bible study because I needed a way to fight the ever-present anxiety that clings to me as a result of my fearful thinking. And while there are plenty of Bible lessons on fear available out there, I felt that it would help me to focus on key characters in the Bible who had to overcome fear and self-doubt.
These stories of courage in the Bible give me hope and a pathway to overcome my anxiety. The Bible tells us about many men and women who defeated their fear and anxiety by learning to depend on God. I believe their faith in God will inspire you to be courageous, too.
Moses: The courage to face the past
Moses faced his insecurity and fears by responding to God’s call to go back to Egypt where his fears began. He was motivated by God’s vision of working through him to save his people, the Jews, from the suffering they were experiencing.
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” [12] He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
Exodus 3:11-12 ESV
According to this Bible verse, Moses gained courage because God promised that he would be with him through this journey. In turn, Moses’ bravery inspired the Jews to follow his lead through the parting of the Red Sea to escape the Egyptians.
This passage changed my life. It inspired me to trust in God and return to a troubled familial relationship I had spent a long time running from. After years of distance, I went back and apologized for how I had chosen to be bitter instead of deciding to resolve the issues that were separating us.
The conversation went well, and as a result there was healing. My family member described this talk as “the best conversation they had ever had,” and I was able to experience their forgiveness and gratitude.
Reflection questions
What are some unresolved experiences that you have avoided that you are anxious about to this day?
Do you think that when you begin to read the Bible and believe God’s promise to be with you, you can reconcile a difficult relationship? How has fear of rejection held you back?
Who are family and friends that you can inspire to imitate your courage developed from spending time with God?
David: The courage to face impossible situations
The book of 1 Samuel chronicles the epic power struggle between the Israelites and their chief enemy at the time, the Philistines. Though King Saul and the Israelite soldiers were dismayed by the daily threats of their enemy’s giant, David took courage to fight Goliath. He was motivated by his disdain for Goliath’s defiance against God and his people.
And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” [33] And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” [37] And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!”
1 Samuel 17:32-33, 37 ESV
David had courage because of the countless times that God protected him from danger in his past. He had steadfast confidence that God would deliver him against opposition. David acted on faith to fight Goliath with a slingshot, and God gave him victory. As a result, the whole army fought at his side and, with God’s help, won a great battle that day.
Reflection questions
What are some experiences that you are afraid to tackle because you believe they are impossible to overcome?
Do you think they are insurmountable because you have only tried to work on them by yourself?
Do you believe you can overcome your fear of failure?
Esther: The courage to take a big risk
Esther risked her life to persuade her husband, King Xerxes, to foil the plans of Haman to annihilate the Jews in their country. She was motivated by the faith, taught by her uncle Mordecai, that she would be fulfilling the call to save God’s people through her.
“Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”
Esther 4:16 ESV
According to this passage, Esther prayed and fasted to put her trust in God to give her courage to plead with King Xerxes to protect her people. Her faithful sacrifice paved the way for the Jews in her country to stand up against attacks on them and fight back and protect one another. God brought about a great victory for them that day.
Reflection questions
Who are people that God has placed in your life to tell you how to live according to his Word, like Mordecai did for Esther?
In the difficult situations in your life, have you prayed and fasted to put your trust in God’s plan to bring about victory? Do you want to learn to trust God?
Do you believe your choice to turn to God and act upon his Word will lead to others finding a relationship with him?
Daniel: The courage to not give in
In Daniel chapter 6, a group of politically motivated administrators laid a trap for Daniel by manipulating the king to sign into law a regulation that would put to death anyone who worshipped any god other than him.
Daniel stood on his conviction to pray to God only, in spite of the consequence of being thrown into a den of lions as punishment. He was motivated to face this fear because he was so grateful to God for all the ways God blessed and protected his life. That gratitude made him extraordinarily confident.
When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
Daniel 6:10 ESV
Daniel’s courage grew through praying three times a day even though it was against the law. His honor of God in prayer overpowered the temptation to be afraid of people. His devotion to God inspired King Darius, a foreign king, to write to all nations in their day to fear and revere God (Daniel 6:25-26 NIV).
Reflection questions
Do you pray in places where you are not distracted? Do you set aside intentional time each day to only pray with God?
Do you believe living courageously by Scriptures will make a positive impression on people?
Who are some family and friends that you can pray to inspire with your courage from God?
bible characters who were afraid
Has God called you to something daunting? Do you feel as if you cannot complete the task he has sent you to do. Fear not! We have loads of examples from the Bible of heroes who feared they didn’t have what it took to face giants. Let’s look at four examples of these heroes of the faith and apply the lessons learned to our own lives when it comes to the tasks that God has set before us.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/TeamDAF
4 Heroes of the Bible Who Feared They Weren’t Good Enough
- Isaiah
“Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty!” (Is. 6:5).
Many of us know about Isaiah. He has a book in the Major Prophets section of the Bible (prophets who had longer books) and he existed during one of the greatest times of upheaval in Israel. His name lives on in the christenings of children today.
But when we first meet him, and he encounters God and the angels, his knees buckle. He doesn’t feel up to the task.
As we witness in the passage above, Isaiah knows that he has not come close to perfection. Sure, he may not have stumbled as badly as Israel’s kings (at least, we should hope that Isaiah never offered any of his children as a sacrifice to Molech), but Isaiah recognizes that he doesn’t have what it takes for what God is calling him to do, especially because of his sin.
He worries about serving as Israel’s mouthpiece because of his unclean lips. One of the angels places a burning coal to Isaiah’s lips, a cleansing of sorts, then he says this.
“See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for” (Is. 6:7).
God recognizes that Isaiah has unclean lips, but this doesn’t prevent God from setting him forth on the task. Through Isaiah, we learn that we need to come to the Lord in repentance, especially when God calls us to something far greater than ourselves.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Uwe Moser
4 Heroes of the Bible Who Feared They Weren’t Good Enough
- Moses
“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.’
The Lord said to him, ‘Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.’
But Moses said, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else’” (Ex. 4:10-13).
Moses and God go toe-to-toe in the desert. After Moses had been raised in Pharaoh’s household during a time where the Pharaoh killed all the male infants, he ends up murdering an Egyptian taskmaster who treats a Hebrew slave poorly. For fear of his life, Moses flees to the desert and lives there for decades.
God appears to Moses out there in the form of a burning bush and asks him to go to Egypt to tell Pharaoh to set his people free. By this point, the Pharaoh in power during Moses’ childhood likely had died. But this doesn’t really comfort Moses.
He knows that the Pharaoh probably won’t listen, so he comes up with a number of excuses. First, he tries to say that he doesn’t have great oration skills. Then he argues that the people will be wondering who sent him in the first place and will ridicule them.
After God answers his questions one by one, Moses gives up and simply asks God not to send him.
God, peeved, offers to send Moses along with his brother Aaron, but Moses still has to go.
Through the example of Moses, we learn that God knows every excuse we’re going to throw at him when we try to avoid him calling us to a difficult task. God is more than our stuttering and our doubts. And he will find a way to fulfill his plan.
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4 Heroes of the Bible Who Feared They Weren’t Good Enough
- The Spies of Israel
“But the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.’ And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, ‘The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them’” (Num. 13:31-33).
Picture this: you’ve wandered the desert for a while and your people just escaped Egypt after 400 years of slavery.
You approached the land God has promised you only to find that people already inhabit it. So you send one scout per tribe to case the land and figure out just what you’re up against.
Well, as we see in the passage above, they didn’t like what they saw. For context, Nephilim were giant people. Some people have supposed them to be demon-human hybrids. Others said they simply towered over people with no weird hybridization of DNA. No matter what the case, the Israelites felt frightened.
All except for two of them: Caleb and Joshua. These two spies attempted to sway the rest of the camp to proceed and enter the land, knowing God would not leave their sides.
Unfortunately, Israel rebelled (literally, they formed a rebellion) and went with the majority. Because of this, God prevented a great number of the Israelites from entering the Promised Land, including the 10 unfaithful spies.
This story shows us that timid leaders need to trust in God’s plan. If God says he will bring us through a situation, we have to realize he has not gone back on a promise yet. Rebelling and refusing to do what God has called you to do has consequences. In the case of Israel, they had to wander the desert for 40 more years.
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4 Heroes of the Bible Who Feared They Weren’t Good Enough
- Gideon
Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand,” Gideon responded, saying, “Pardon me, my lord, but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family” (Judg. 6:14-15).
When we meet Gideon in the Bible, we find him hiding. Not the greatest start for a leader. Especially when we consider what God ultimately calls him to do as judge of Israel: defeat the Midianites (an enemy that had taken over Israel).
See, in the time of the judges, Israel had fallen into a cyclical pattern. They would sin, an enemy would take over, they would cry out to God, and God would appoint a judge to drive out the enemy. Repeat.
But Gideon doesn’t exactly like this calling of his. He comes from a lesser tribe and doesn’t have a great position in the family birth order. So he tests God.
The Bible tells us not to put God to the test, so although God seems to allow this, he has Gideon make up for it later. How he does this is by shrinking Gideon’s army to attack tens of thousands of Midianites with … 300 men.
You can imagine Gideon’s trepidation. Especially because we first find him hiding from Israel’s enemies.
Gideon’s story shows us that God can use anyone, even the least of these, to accomplish great things. We also learn that we can do nothing apart from God. Gideon tried to use thousands of soldiers as a hedge of protection, and God said, “No. You need to rely on me. Not on the strength of men.”