“It’s hopeless.” That’s what fear whispers in the middle of the night when anxiety tightens its grip and your heart pounds with uncertainty. But what if you could argue back? Inspired by Hannah Kerr’s “Fear Not,” we learn the powerful truth that God’s presence isn’t just near—it’s active, bringing comfort, consolation, and even delight amid chaos. Let’s uncover how Scripture teaches us to confront fear, embrace God’s comfort, and step into the peace only He can provide.
We’ll see how a suffering poet’s words reflect our fears and anxieties and where to go from there.
In this episode, I discuss:
- Song insight: How Hannah wrote this song to express her struggles with anxiety and to remind listeners that they are not alone.
- Biblical lament: Acknowledging fear and anxiety is the first step before moving toward truth and comfort.
- Lifting our eyes: Calling to mind the “capital T” Truths about God and what that means for us
Key Scripture Passages:
- Psalm 34:4 – “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”
- Psalm 94:19 – “When anxiety overwhelms me, Your consolation delights my soul.”
- John 14:16, 25-27 – Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as our Comforter.
- Lamentations 3 – The poet expresses deep despair but shifts to hope in God’s faithfulness.
Bible Interaction Tools (BITEs) for Personal Study:
- Word Study – Explore the meaning of consolation in Psalm 94:19.
- Read in Context – Study all of Lamentations to see the pattern of grief, confession, and hope.
- Consult an outside resource – Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop
- Engage in Biblical Lament – Journal your fears before turning to God’s truth.
- Community Prayer – Instead of saying, “I’ll pray for you,” ask, “Can I pray with you now?”
- Compare and contrast
- Make observations
- Explore a theme
- Read and keep on reading
God doesn’t look down from on high and say, “You shouldn’t feel this way.”
Enjoy the official audio below.
More Than a Song Playlist
Additional Resources
- Lyrics – New Release Today
- Behind the song “Fear Not” by Hannah Kerr – Behind the Song with Kevin Davis – New Release Today Article
- Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop – Amazon Paid Link
- Learn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my all-time favorite Bible resources – Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link
This Week’s Challenge
Read Lamentations. Read it as intended — as poetry reflecting great emotion amid great tragedy that ultimately turns toward hope in the Lord. Observe any emotions or feelings that feel familiar to you. Pattern the freedom of the author of Lamentations and journal your own crazy out. Write down all of your complaints and how you are feeling. Don’t hold back. Then, unfurl your soul to lift your eyes to Jesus and rehearse the goodness of God. Speak the truths of Lamentations. Speak the truths of other verses you know. Use the Episode Guide to help. Remember, God’s compassion is not going to run out. He isn’t saying, “You shouldn’t feel that way.” But He also doesn’t want you to rehearse lies when the truth of His steadfast love leads to hope and peace that delights your soul and brings true freedom.
