For generations, the idea has spread that religion seeks to instill fear in us through the famous  “fear of God ,” listed as one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. But nothing could be further from the truth.

God is Father. A child in his parents’ arms experiences no fear; he feels sheltered and absolutely safe. From the moment a little one takes his first steps, he leaps forward without hesitation because he knows his father will be there to catch him. Except in tragic and inhuman circumstances that defy the norm, the hearts of parents guide their children with unconditional love. If we weren’t afraid of our earthly parents, why should we be afraid of God?

God is not to be feared.  God is love.

Fear of distancing ourselves, not of the person

What does the  holy fear of God truly mean ? It is not dread of divine punishment, but the  fear of offending Him, of turning away from Him, of ceasing to love and worship Him.  It is that prudent zeal that prevents our human passions or the distractions of daily life from ultimately outweighing the divine call.

The parable of the prodigal son perfectly illustrates this truth. Having hit rock bottom, the young man reflected,  “I am no longer worthy to be called your son .” He never imagined his father would send servants to drive him away with stones; if he had thought that, he would never have stopped tending pigs. Deep down, he knew that, at the very least, he would receive compassion and shelter.  He knew his father loved him.

The trap of the world and the baited hook

In our daily lives, the world abounds with temptations that threaten to distance us from God’s will. The world functions exactly like a hook: it only shows us the tempting bait. However, once we bite the bait, we become entangled in destructive dynamics such as addiction, lust, anger, envy, or greed.

This is where holy fear comes into play:

• Choose your company wisely:  Distance yourself from people or environments that promise fun but end up harming you.

• Demystifying false freedom:  Breaking with the idea that  “you have to try everything in this life .” You don’t try garbage.

• Accept healthy limits:  Prefer certain deprivations rather than risk inner peace and the Father’s love.

Fear does not lead to God.

We should not fear God: He is protection, home, and eternity.  What we should prudently fear are our own weaknesses , always striving to nurture our relationship with Him.

Spread the word, let’s do all the good we can, and may God always bless you.