Fear God

Physiologically, I don’t think we are made to live in prolonged fear. Chinese and Malays, and I suspect many Asian and traditional cultures, have herbal medication for managing symptoms of fear. Chinese mothers often place little pillows filled with beans on the chest of infants to prevent them from getting excessive reactions from frights. It seemed that fear (or emotions of fear) was to be avoided.

I have often struggled with the word fear. What does fear in the bible mean? In which context is the word used? I feared the word in the bible might mean that I should be fearful or to live in fear. I am (was?) afraid of being afraid.

In search of the biblical meaning(s) of the word, I started writing verses that had fear in them. I have not gotten much past Exodus, but is encouraged thus far that God has not thus far “suggested” that man should fear any other than Him.

And I would like to think that this fear of God is not a shivering, shaking, hiding, avoidance of God but rather a revered, awe filled respect of His greatness and power. A knowing that He can “smite” us but chooses not to because He is love.

Nouwen spoke of fear and power. I concur.

However, I feel fear is not my business. My business is Jesus. Fear is Jesus’s business.

I would like to shed the glasses of fear and don the lenses of Jesus. In my focus on Jesus, may I find strength, courage and wisdom. In my focus, on the given Spirit of power, love and sound mind, may I live my life, an empowered, unafraid life.