55 Important Bible Verses for Fear of Failure

In this article, we are going to cover some of my favorite Bible verses for fear of failure. My hope and my prayer is that when you are done reading this you will have a new view of failure. Even more than that, I hope the Truth from the Word of God will make you bold and courageous to step into whatever the Lord is calling you to do. (**Make notes of any biblical truth that resonates with you!) Let’s go!

Failure Defined

When I look up the specific definition of failure, it simply says a lack of success. However, in broader terms, we tend to view failure as when our expectations don’t come to fruition. We tend to view failure as any kind of set back, disappointment or loss. Whenever our goals aren’t met we think it’s a fail. In summary, failure is viewed a s a bad or negative thing.

I really want to challenge this view of failure. What if we reframed failure as a good or positive thing? While failure may initially be disheartening or challenging, it can also serve as a catalyst for resilience, perseverance, and eventual success. Failure leads to growth! It also leads to God’s glory…more on that in a minute. Reframing failure is vital- because you. will. fail. We all experience failure and it’s sting. Which is probably why we work so hard to avoid it. Check out these examples of failure…

Examples of Failure in the Bible

If you spend any amount of time in God’s Word, you will find that failure is part of the human experience. Of course it is…we are fallen people and we live in a fallen world. Perfection is not part of the human experience. There are so many examples of people in the Bible falling short of expectations or encountering set backs.

Off the top of my head, I can think of so many fails in the Bible. Adam and Eve failed to obey God and ate the forbidden fruit. The young men destined to be the 12 tribes of Israel failed to keep their jealousy in check and sold their brother into slavery. The Israelites failed to enter the promised land due to their lack of trust and disobedience to God’s commands.

So many kings in the Old Testament chose to trust in themselves for military solutions, rather than seek God. Judas betrayed Jesus and Peter denied the Lord 3 times, but not before impulsively cutting of Malchus’s ear in the heat of the moment. The entire Bible honestly portrays the failings of humankind. Failure is part of the human experience. The other thing every story of failure has in common is God using it for their good and His glory (Romans 8:28). What Bible stories of failure come to your mind? 

Let’s see what the Bible says about failure and then we will dive into Bible verses for fear of failure…

What does the Bible say about failure?

While the word “failure” may not be explicitly used in some translations, the concepts of falling short, making mistakes, and experiencing setbacks are present throughout Scripture. The first important thing to note is  human nature has limited strength. Nobody is perfect, we all fall short, therefore failure is inevitable. Let me say that last part again…failure is inevitable.

Romans 3:23 – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

Failure (and hardship) has been my greatest teacher. It provides opportunity for growth, wisdom and maturity. This verse from Proverbs emphasizes the importance of perseverance and learning from setbacks.

Proverbs 24:16 – For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

Psalm 40:2 – He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

It’s also important to remember that God is Sovereign– He is over all things. He is powerful, wise and in authority at all times. If He allowed failure in your life- there is a purpose in it. This brings me to one of my most favorite of God’s promises in the Bible. God always works ALL things out for your good and His glory. God’s glory is on full display through our failures, because for the child of God, His redemption and restoration is part of the story.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Psalm 37:24 – Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 34:19 – Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Here is more good news…God’s grace is enough in the face of our failures and weakness. He delights to lavish us with grace. He is never in Heaven wringing His hands over our failures, rather He is delighted to redeem, restore and pour out His grace. This is how He is glorified in our failings.

2 Corinthians 12:9 – But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Despite experiencing failure, believers are called to persevere in faith and continue following God.  It’s so important to look forward with hope and determination, rather than dwelling on past failures.

Philippians 3:13-14 – Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Scriptures About Fear

Before we dive into Bible verses for fear of failure, I thought it might be helpful to align our hearts with God’s truth. The following verses encourage us to cast our fears on Him.

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.

Psalm 23:4 – Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Psalm 27:1 – The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

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.

Psalm 56:3 – When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Matthew 10:28 – And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Psalm 118:6 – The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Past Failures

Do you have a tendency to replay failures over and over in your mind? You’re not alone- we all fall into that temptation at times. God wants us to let go of the old things. We are a new creature in Christ- there is no shame or condemnation in Christ. Go ahead and fail…and watch God use it for good!

Philippians 3:13-14 – Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Ephesians 4:22-24 – to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Colossians 3:9-10 – Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 

Isaiah 43:18-19 – Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Failure and Fear of Man

It’s not unusual at all that our fear of failure would be connected with the fear of man. We often fear rejection or criticism in the face of failure. However, with God we will never be rejected. God will never reject any of His children because that is not who He is. God knows our heart and that matters far more than the opinions of man. Let go of fear of man.

Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Galatians 1:10 – For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Bible Verses About Fear of Failure And God’s Love

God is so over the moon about you, there is no fear in perfect love (powerful verse below). The Lord’s love is unconditional; Meaning it will never be based on good works or success. Additionally, the grace of God is abundant and lavish- never ending! This means, you don’t need to fear failure. It changes nothing in God’s eyes.

Romans 5:8 – but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 2:4-5 – But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved

1 John 4:9-10 – In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Romans 8:38-39 – For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Bible Verses About Fear of Failure and God’s Sovereignty

One of my favorite promises is that I cannot thwart God’s plans. That is such a relief when I reflect on my failings, wrong turns and weaknesses. Even in all of that, God’s plans for my life cannot be cancelled. Instead, in His sovereignty, His plans go forward. This is because His plans do not depend on me or you. His plans only depend on Him and He is perfect with no failings or weakness.

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs 19:21 – Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Isaiah 55:8-9 – For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Proverbs 16:9 – The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Psalm 33:11 – The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.

Job 42:2 – I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Good Things that Come From Failure

One of my favorite Disney movies is “Meet the Robinsons”. The characters are a bunch of inventors. Of course, with inventions, there are tons of fails. When the characters would eat dinner together they would share the inventions that failed and everyone in the family would cheer and clap over the failure. Why would they do this? Because every fail was a learning experience. Imagine if we looked at our failures and cheered? Afterall, every failure leads to growth and preparation for the future. Every failure is used by God for our good and His glory (Romans 8:29).

Romans 5:3-4 – Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

James 1:2-4 – Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Hebrews 12:1-2 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Bible Verses to Overcome Fear of Failure

If you’re still not convinced that failure is actually a positive thing, then I have some practical steps you can take next time you feel the fear of failure come over you… First, it’s always helpful to take negative thoughts captive. In order to take thoughts captive it’s necessary to have a new thought to replace the old thought. Any of the verses in this article might be a great start to putting on a new thought to replace an old fearful thought.

2 Corinthians 10:5 – We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

The other area to focus on is the fear of the unknown. It’s not uncommon to let fear keep us from moving forward. Procrastination is a common way we avoid failure. The other tendency is to overprepare- perfectionism in order to manage the fear. Instead of procrastination or perfectionism, simply trust the promises of God. Next time you have a spirit of fear, turn to God in prayer. Confess it to Him and ask Him to strengthen you with holy courage.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Bible Verses for Trusting in the Lord When Fearing Failure

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

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.

Psalm 56:3 – When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Psalm 62:8 – Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Jeremiah 17:7-8 – Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.

Psalm 20:7 – Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Isaiah 26:3-4 – You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Psalm 9:10 – And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 118:8 – It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

Wrapping Up Bible Verses About Fear of Failure

Next time you are faced with the possibility of failure, remember that we all fall short, have weaknesses and failings. God knows this about us and promises His sufficient grace and genuine love. God’s Word is full of promises and truths about His character intended to encourage you. Grasp on to the love of Christ in your failings. What area of your life is God calling you to get out of your comfort zone? How will you respond?