Many Christians are confused about how to think about fear. Is it a sin to be afraid? Welch’s title reveals his answer. When God uses the words “Do not be afraid,” Welch argues that these are not words of rebuke, but words of comfort from our compassionate Father who draws near to us when we are afraid. Fear is both a time to grow in our faith in God’s promises and to proceed carefully because our responses to fear can lead us astray.