Fear. Fear is a scary thing; fear has the ability to control us, make us do things we never imagined, or keep us from the things we wanted most. We often think of fear as a small thing, we say, "well everyone is afraid of something," as if to minimize the fear. We think, since everyone has it, then we should just learn to deal with it, suppress it, push through until it's "over." But I am here to tell you that there is good news, there's hope! Because we serve a God who is over all and in all. He is the creator of all things, He is all powerful and He wants to be our protector; He wants to be our comfort in times when we are afraid and alone. God wants us to depend on Him in all things, including our fears. He doesn't want us to live fear-driven lives, and He delights in us taking refuge in Him. Here are 12 verses that remind us of who God says He is and prayers we can pray to the Lord in times of fear:

Psalm 31:1-2

O Lord, I have come to you for protection;

don’t let me be disgraced.

Save me, for you do what is right.

Turn your ear to listen to me;

rescue me quickly.

Be my rock of protection,

a fortress where I will be safe.

Psalm 18:1-2

I love you, Lord;

you are my strength.The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;

my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

He is my shield, the power that saves me,

and my place of safety.

Psalm 33:20-21

We put our hope in the Lord.

He is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength,

always ready to help in times of trouble.

Psalm 18:19

He led me to a place of safety;

he rescued me because he delights in me.

Psalm 16:8-9

I know the Lord is always with me.

I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.[a]

My body rests in safety.

Psalm 59:16

But as for me, I will sing about your power.

Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.

For you have been my refuge,

a place of safety when I am in distress.

Psalm 56:3-4

But when I am afraid,

I will put my trust in you.

I praise God for what he has promised.

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

What can mere mortals do to me?

Psalm 16:1-2

Keep me safe, O God,

for I have come to you for refuge.

I said to the Lord, “You are my Master!

Every good thing I have comes from you.”

Psalm 32:7

For you are my hiding place;

you protect me from trouble.

You surround me with songs of victory.

Psalm 18:30

God’s way is perfect.

All the Lord’s promises prove true.

He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

Psalm 34:4

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.

He freed me from all my fears.

Fear is real, but so is God, He says "do not fear" 365 times in the bible, and I don't think that it's a coincidence. I hope these verses remind you of who God is and what He longs to be for you, your shelter, your ultimate protector, the one whom you put your trust in.