Fearing God isn’t a bad thing.

If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “I’ll put the fear of God into you,” you know it’s not meant as a nurturing, comforting promise.

Merriam-Webster defines the idiom this way:

to frighten (someone) very badly

It saddens me to hear my faith distorted like that.

When referring to God, the word fear doesn’t mean to be afraid. Do an internet search on “fear of God” and you’ll get millions of results that include learned theologians explaining that it means respect, awe, reverence, and obedience to God.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10, NIV)

Wisdom doesn’t come from being afraid or intimidated.

When we truly fear God in the Biblical sense, when we respect Him, love Him, and are faithful to Him, we are not afraid in the face of evil, hardship, and sin. We are fearless.

But does fear—that is, the feeling that something is dangerous and likely to cause pain—occasionally creep in? Yes. When I see the violence, hatred, and division that is tearing our country apart, I feel fear for the world we are leaving to our children and grandchildren. When I’m in a situation where someone is threatening to harm me, I feel fear.

And then I’m reminded:

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV)

So I relax and let go of the human emotion God doesn’t want me to feel and embrace the peace He gives me.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, know that full well. (Psalm 139:14, NIV)

No one has to put the fear of God in me. It’s already there.

Jacquelyn Lynn
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