Luke 12: 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
I've always thought a little fear is a great thing. We should have a little fear of weather so we don't venture out fishing in bad weather. We should have just a little fear of heights so we're careful on ladders and rooftops. We should have a little fear of rejection so we treat others with respect. Too much fear, however, defeats us and we don't even try. We don't ever go fishing, or we won't fix the leaky roof, or we won't commit to long term relationships.
Scripture tells us that true wisdom begins with fearing God. I find many people can't wrap their brains around fearing God, but when I think about how my parents raised me, fear of punishment often kept me out of trouble. Jesus even instructs us to fear The One who will most certainly banish us to hell if we don't trust and commit to Him. But it doesn't end in fear. John tells us that perfect love casts out fear. So our relationship with God only begins in fear - fear of temporary and permanent punishment, but there's more to it than just fearing hell and breathing a quick prayer of acceptance. Once we commit to being a disciple of Christ, He can cast out all fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of failing health and ultimately dying can all be eradicated through Him who IS love. That elimination of fear isn't automatic, however. Instead, we must constantly place those things the we fear in His trust. For me, this is a daily process and one that does not come easily, yet I believe that fear can reveal to us those areas of our lives that we don't completely trust to God.
What strike fear into your heart? Perhaps that is where God is trying to get your attention.
Ps 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
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