Heights...spiders...failure...loneliness...mortality...the unknown...darkness...pain...disappointment...change. What do all these seemingly random things have in common? One word...fear. Of all the emotions that G-d has granted us, I believe this one can be the most crippling or the most beneficial. Sounds a little strange? Not so much.
The negative side of fear can paralyze a person. It can force us to hold ourselves back from something. It can cause us to refuse to grow. When forced to face it, it can even make some of us want to die. While I prefer not to take this down the morbid path of fear, I would like to touch on the negative side. Every person in existence has fear in them. I have had more than my fair share through my life. Fear of rejection, fear of loneliness, fear of closeness, fear of my past, and even fear of myself. For one moment, consider what your greatest fear is. Where does it stem from? Has it been the same all your life? What does/can it keep you from accomplishing? What do you think would have to happen in order for it subside? Did you know that some people don’t even realize their greatest fear until it’s right there before them? Consider history or even our present times...fear has been/is the greatest tool used to control people. I haven’t been around as long as some. But I have seen many people who have allowed fears to control their lives. Consider the fear of being alone; there are some that would settle for just about anyone and put up with just about anything so that they don’t have to be alone. Consider people that fear rejection. They will do whatever they need to, to keep the people in their lives happy so that they never have to face that fear. The list goes on and on. There is good news in all this. Fear can be conquered. I don’t care who you are, we all have it in us to face our fears. It is most definitely difficult and even incredibly humbling at times. My fears have changed throughout my life, depending on what phase I was presently at. I have made so many mistakes and passed up so many opportunities because I couldn’t move past my fears. Why, you may ask. Because I chose to allow it to control me. Yes yes, I know...there she goes with that choice thing again. If you have been keeping up with these blog, you very well know that I feel choice plays a huge part in our lives. Not everything is in our control. It was never meant to be. But there’s always going to be at least an “option A” and an “option B”. After so many years of allowing my fear and baggage to consume me, I opened my eyes to the fact that G-d was still there and He was offering me the strength to turn my life in another direction. And I can tell you with every bit of confidence that I have not nor will I ever look back. Don’t get me wrong, I still have some fears and insecurities and all. That’s apart of being human. However, I have been facing them and dealing with them and it’s allowed me to move forward and find a part of me that I never knew existed. The part of me that is able to sit here and write these blogs for all of you. The part of me that can bask in the greatness of G-d. The free spirit in me is finally getting the chance to fly. And it’s all uphill from here. We all have a choice...we choose to be afraid and allow that to make the choices, or we realize just how strong and capable we really are.
I also mentioned that fear can be a positive thing. After painting the picture that I have, seems fairly unlikely doesn’t it? Again I say, not so much. Sometimes fear can motivate us. Sometimes fear can protect us. I’ve even seen people take the negative part of their fear and turn it around and use it to make things right. Let’s go with fear of failure for an example. A person is terrified of messing up. The very idea of failing is petrifying. So instead of taking chances and trying, they sit back quietly in their one little comfort zone where they know the routines and there is the least chance of failure. One day, this person realizes that in the act of hiding from failure...they had in fact failed to become the person they have always wanted to be. So they take fear of failure and turn it towards the changes they need to make to get to where they want to be, refusing to fail at it. It certainly was a good motivator, even though they will eventually have to face that fact that we all fail every now and then in our lives.
There is also the fear that most religious people are aware of...the fear of G-d. I personally don’t like how that is phrased. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t in any disrespect to Him. I have the utmost respect for the Creator and I definitely understand His position and power. But you have to admit, the word “fear” is generally seen as a negative word. Many (especially those that know very little about G-d) hear this phrase and picture the type of G-d that will smite you the moment He gets the chance. This isn’t G-d’s way by any stretch of the imagination. But the fear I am referring to is more of an understanding and perfect respect. G-d is all powerful and will judge us all and decide our fate one day. But He’s also loving and compassionate. Those of you with children, when they misbehave, they receive some discipline. 10 minutes in the corner, grounded for a week from friends and TV, no desert after dinner....whatever your parenting style. When it comes time to hand out the punishment, how many of you get happy and excited? I am going to assume none. Even though we are convinced otherwise when we are kids, punishments are just as rough on the parents as it is the kids. You all love them dearly and want to see them grow into well rounded adults that know how to act and know how to take accountability for their own actions. G-d is no different...He just works on a much bigger scale. We need to understand that while He is forced to cast some into hell, He does it with a tear rolling down His cheek. And we need to respect that. So instead of using the phrase, “Fear of G-d” let’s reword it to say, “Perfect respect of G-d.” And then let’s go through our days reminding ourselves of that phrase. I know I am not perfect and I mess up plenty...but one of the many things I have learned and mentioned to you all is He is ever forgiving.
It is my hope that you are going to walk away from this blog with a new understanding in your heart, or at the very least, something to think about. Consider all the questions I asked about your fears. When you can acknowledge them and answer those questions, you just might be a step closer to pushing past them and realizing a new life and a new path. It can bring you closer to G-d and make you more capable of hearing His call. My prayers are going to continue to be with everyone that reads these blogs, whether we are aware of you or not. I will pray for clarity and protection and for a blessed day for each and every one of you.
G-d Bless!
K
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20 comments:
Very well written K. "Perfect Respect for G-d" sounds good. Within though we should remember to fear His wrath in our wrong doings. I respect your what you are saying; just never forget that He is the most powerful being there is. G-d Bless you.
I agree with you K. Fearing G-d is not right. I like the way you've rephrased that old saying. Have a nice day and take care.
La paura non è bello. Il diavolo è sempre cercando di farci paura. Mi piace quello che dici e mi dà coraggio di dirgli di lasciarmi in pace. Grazie.
I agree with you all the way honey. We should never fear Him. He is so kind and loving. You think of the nicest things to say. I love reading what you write. I pray for you and J every night and I pray for more of your blogs. Have a wonderful day.
Ya gettin better at the writin all the time K. This is nice. I like how ya worded it. Stay well.
Definatief baie interesant hoe jy na die stryd met die duiwel kyk. Om bang te wees is nie altyd baie lekker nie. Ek glo in die vader en ek weet hy is lief vir ons. Ek wonder net soms hoekom daar so baie hartseer is in ons pragtige wereld. Baie dankie dat ek kon lees wat jy geskryf het. Jy skryf baie mooi en met passie vir die here, Mag jy geseend wees.
Of corse ya gotta respect God but ya gotta fear him to. His mighty powerful just like the good word says.
Bless you for writing so inspiringly. Thanks for sharing.
Why fear him at all? What's respect? There's no respect left anywhere. Respect him? Does he respect me? What you say is interesting and it does make me think but I think long and hard and nothing makes sense. I read what you write because its interesting and I hope that something will make sense one day. You write very well.
I know that fear of failure is a big motivator for me to do well using the gifts that G-d has given me. It's not necessarily an egocentric thought for me, rather of not using the blessings that G-d has given me to my fullest. When I don't study for a test or practice for a solo or concert, I am not using the blessings that G-d has given me. Fear can mean different things to different people. In this case "Fear of G-d" should not be used to have us be scared of G-d rather "reverential awe," reverence meaning "a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe" (dictionary.com). We should show respect because G-d is all powerful, omniscient, ever present, etc...You should not be in distress or terror at the thought of G-d, but reverent to Him, perfect respect for Him. I agree with your wording of Perfect Respect for G-d, and I was just showing how it ties exactly into the word fear. However, respect the power of G-d, otherwise you will have a reason to be in terror and afraid of Him.
Well written. Respect is earned and G-d has earned it since the very beginning.
Nicely written K. I also believe that He is not a G-d to fear. He is loving and caring and He would never harm us.
Well written words K. To respect G-d is an absolute honor, especially knowing that He respects us too. We must fear Him though; respectfully fear Him. He is the Almighty King and He has our lives in His hands. We must never anger Him.
I do fear G-d and it keeps me on my toes. Like Hannah said; I fear Him with respect; out of respect for who He is. :)
To fear Him is to respect Him.
Well written. I respect you opinions but we should fear Him. When you read the word, you see His power. We read about the flood; we read about Sodom and Gamorra. He must be feared, obeyed and respected always.
"Let all the earth fear the L-RD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him" (Psalm 33:8).
King David explained: "The G-d of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of G-d" (2 Samuel 23:3,4).
Wisdom proceeds from the fear of L-rd. One who does not fear G-d cannot be wise. "The fear of the L-RD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever" (Psalm 111:10). "The fear of the L-RD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7). "The fear of the L-RD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10). "The fear of the L-RD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility" (Proverbs 15:33).
We must never get to comfortable and forget our place - we have to respect Him - we should fear Him.
I love and respect Him as my Father. I fear Him as my G-d and Creator.
I do fear Him in all His greatness. He is an all powerful G-d. I do not fear that He would harm me though. :)
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