Fear Is Not a Sin explores what the Bible says about fear, emphasizing God’s compassion and his many promises to be near his people when life dismays and threatens them.
When life takes a turn for the worse, our natural response is fear and anxiety, even though God commands his people many times in Scripture to not be afraid. However, as bestselling author and biblical counselor Edward T. Welch explains, those commands do not mean that our fears are inherently sinful. Instead, they are an invitation from God to go to him with our troubles.
Fear Is Not a Sin: It Is a Call to Action guides readers to respond to fear by going to God and learning to pray his words back to him. Readers will be encouraged that the fears they experience are an opportunity to grow from a “little-faith” to a “big-faith” that takes God at his word and trusts him in an uncertain world where things can and do go wrong.
“With clarity and winsomeness, Ed Welch helps us see that Scripture’s call, ‘Do not fear’ is not a rebuke but an invitation to draw near to Jesus Christ in growing trust and confidence. The question is not whether we will be afraid (we will!) but whether our fears and anxieties will be a catalyst for deeper faith in the God who will never leave us nor forsake us.”
Michael R. Emlet, Faculty and Counselor, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF); author of Saints, Sufferers, and Sinners: Loving Others as God Loves Us
“Ed Welch writes as someone who understands what it’s like to have his faith questioned because of fear. With wisdom and compassion, he removes the shame often tied to fear and shows how it can be a place where faith grows. I'm thankful to God for a book on fear that flows from a heart steeped in the Father’s care, is honest about weakness, and eager to help believers hope in Christ through every fearful storm.”
Timothy St. John, Counseling Pastor, Lighthouse Community Church; author of Uncovering Domestic Abuse
“Fear Is Not a Sin offers profound comfort and clear pastoral insight. Ed Welch gently peels back the shame around anxiety and invites us to bring our fears to Jesus. This book gave me language for my own fears—and deeper hope in the Savior who embraces us in weakness.”
Darby A. Strickland, Faculty and Counselor, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF); Author of Is it Abuse?
“This is a little book, but Ed Welch achieves big things with it. He counters our false thinking about fear as sin, exposes our false ambitions for fearless faith, and reminds us that authentic faith cries to God and finds in him a way to press on in spite of fear. So much helpful insight in so few pages—buy it, read it and share it.”
Steve Midgley, Executive Director, Biblical Counselling UK; author of Understanding Trauma
Apply coupon code MIXNSAVE to your shopping cart
*Some exceptions apply
In “Fear Is Not a Sin: It Is a Call to Action,” Ed Welch, a psychologist and faculty member of CCEF, invites us to see fear as a reason to draw close to God in our anxieties rather than shaming ourselves for lack of faith. The book helps us see that our fear is an opportunity to grow in our faith and relationship with God. Welch’s premise is this: “Fears identify what we want, what is important to us, and what we desire. If such desires are always wrong, fear is sinful. But such desires are not always wrong.” I do wish the book had gone a bit deeper and differentiated more clearly between fear that is naturally felt in certain circumstances (think: encountering a bear while hiking) versus when anxiety can morph from a feeling into a sinful thought or action. I think there is so much more waiting to be said on the topic in this regard, which would have strengthen the book’s thesis. That said, I found this short book to be a helpful companion. I would recommend it as a great gift, especially for new or young (teen and preteen) believers struggling with fear because of Welch’s down-to-earth, compassionate words that point us to Christ with truthful wisdom rather than condemnation. Highlights: “Fears and anxieties can choke spiritual life. Confession keeps us vigilant to Satan’s lies about ourselves and God.” “Weakness means that we need help from God and other people. The good news is that God’s help is available to all who ask.” “Growth in courage will not abolish fear, but it might help you be less paralyzed in the midst of it.” “Even in suffering, we have a rich hope that he makes us fruitful now and he will make all things new.” “Fear and anxiety are not sinful. Left unattended, however, they can be dangerous. If you don’t bring them to Jesus, you are left trusting in yourself, which is sin, and that will choke your soul.” Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Once again Ed has mastered the art of saying much, with pertinent content, brevity, and clarity in a small and most useful work. I have already ordered extras for use.
In Fear Is Not a Sin, Edward T. Welch explains that fear is, instead, a call to action. This short book serves as a practical guide to overcoming fears and anxieties by taking opportunities to strengthen your faith. The book begins by explaining that “don’t be afraid” is actually an expression of Christ’s care and compassion. It’s meant to comfort those who come to Him. Fuller Faith After reading, I am motivated to have more courage and confidence as I come to God with my fears. I am challenged not to complain but to cry out to the Lord. This hope-filled book is a balm that helps us believe the Father’s love is stronger than our fears. It will free you to be a person little faith who honors the Lord as you grow into fuller faith. I received a media copy of Fear is Not a Sin and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
I received Fear is Not A Sin compliments of New Growth Press in exchange for my honest review. Fear is Not A Sin is the latest book by biblical counselor Edward T. Welch. What initially attracted me to this book is its title. I've struggled with fear as long as I can remember, and have been taught multiple times that it is a sin. I've read Welch's books before, and his voice is one I trust, so I was very curious about his thoughts on fear. At just under 70 pages, this book helps readers understand fear through a biblical lens. The book begins by encouraging readers that, "Fear and anxiety are not sinful. Left unattended, however, they can be dangerous. If you don't bring them to Jesus, you are left trusting in yourself, which is sin, and that will choke your soul (Mark 4:19)," (pg.3). Regarding the many commands in Scripture to not fear or be afraid, Welch helpfully pointed out, "When we say, 'Don't be afraid' to children, it is the equivalent of 'I am here; everything will be okay.' If they cry, we don't rebuke them. We hold them," (pg. 5). With tender compassion, Fear is Not A Sin: It Is A Call to Action guides readers through 5 brief chapters and points them to Jesus in each one. Each chapter concludes with a Reflect & Journal section with Bible verses and space for journaling, as well as a journaling prompt based on the verses. Fear is Not A Sin: It Is A Call to Action is a short and incredibly sweet counseling tool that I believe will greatly benefit Christians who struggle with fear.
What encouraged me most was the reminder that it is not a sin to feel fear. Instead, the book shows us that we can, and should, cry out to God without shame or guilt. We cannot overcome fear and anxiety on our own, but through seeking God, there is real help and lasting relief. I highly recommend this book to anyone who suffers from the weight of fear and anxiety. It offers not only encouragement but also practical, faith-filled hope
Book Review Fear Is Not a Sin: It Is a Call to Action Author: Edward Welch Publisher: New Growth Press Publish Date: September 22, 2025 We all have experienced fear and anxiety. As the title of Edward Welch’s new book stated, Fear Is Not a Sin, this little book helps us to examine what we do with our fear, what is our fear and anxiety hinting to us what our hearts are loving and desiring. Our fear and anxiety may reveal to us the state of our heart and our relationship with Jesus if we are take the time to evaluate. This book consists of five short chapters with guiding questions to help you reflect and journal as a tool to slow down and bring your fear and anxiety to Jesus. This is potentially a good counselling homework for someone struggling with debilitating fear and take action to respond to their fear biblically. I received a complimentary copy as a reviewer and all opinions shared are my own.
