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FRIDAY THOUGHT 5/30/08

May 30, 2008 on 11:08 am | By John Ingrisano | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments

Fear of God

My mother periodically used to threaten to put the Fear of God in me, which I got the impression was going to be a fairly forceful process.  Still, I kind of always knew that what she was referring to was the Fear of Sally rather than the Fear of God.  But  I always knew that the Fear of Sally wasn’t a quaking-in-my-boots kind of fear, but more an if-I-didn’t-love-you-I-wouldn’t-do-this-to-you sort of threat.
 
Same with the Fear of God, which I slowly began to understand (I think) over the years.  Not that I’m a doctor of theology, but it seems to me that Fear of God is about awareness of and respect for God’s laws and God’s ways.  Just as important, it’s about trusting in God and believing (knowing beyond knowing) that His ways lead to balance, joy, purpose and spiritual abundance. 
 
My point:  Not sure, other than that I’d rather face the Fear of God than the Fear of Sally any day.  But maybe the next time life smacks you  along the side of the head, try to remember — as hard as it may seem at the time — that God wouldn’t be doing this if He didn’t love you.  God bless and enjoy the blessings of the weekend.  — jri
 
“Humility and fear of the Lord
    bring wealth and honor and life.”
            –    Proverbs 22:4