To “fear the Lord” comes with a lot of emotions. Are we supposed to be afraid of God? Is He a mean, harsh being just waiting for us to mess up so He can punish us? These are common questions, and I’ve wrestled with them myself, and I’ve learned that the answer is no. God is not a tyrant standing over us with a gavel, ready to strike. Instead, the “fear of the Lord” is an invitation to stand in awe of who He is—to recognize His holiness, power, and love in a way that shapes our lives. The idea of fear often brings negative images to mind, but the Bible shows us something different. The “fear of the Lord” isn’t about being terrified; it’s about reverence. It’s about living in awe of a God who is both holy and near. It’s the kind of reverence that makes you pause and marvel at the Creator of the universe, who also knows you intimately and loves you deeply. Proverbs 1:7 reminds us that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (NLT). This kind of fear is where wisdom begins. It’s where we see God as He truly is—not