Fear or dread?

During my studies in Psychiatry, the Head of the department was a renowned professor in our country, with a physical appearance that commanded respect and a personality that exhibited contrasting aspects. Everyone feared him, because they did not know him well enough, plus those of us who got to know him loved him, because under that shell, there was a heart that bowed to love.

During a conversation I remember that I said to him: -I don't understand why everyone is afraid of him.

He looked at me a little surprised and replied: "What I don't understand is why you don't feel the same."

-If I were afraid of you, I could not love you and I am very fond of you and admire you, I replied.

He began to laugh and those simple words opened the way to a sincere relationship, to the point that I was one of those few people who could say straight to his face when he thought he was not acting well without resentment. There was a communion between the two.

He already left this world and who knows if on the brink of his death he remembered the Christ that I told him about one day and he repented of his sins, that doubt saddens me until today, but I will only know when I get to where I am going.

But the point is fear, when we say that we fear God, we are not talking about the paralyzing fear of what we are going to receive in exchange for a mistake that we may commit, nor the punishment that we will receive for being sad and not satisfied with what we do. our Father has planned for us. The fear we feel is the fear of disappointing our Father, of not being worthy of the trust He has placed in us, of not meeting the expectations that are often ours, because He knows very well what to expect from these fragile and imperfect that cannot protect themselves. It is not the fear that we will be rejected by Him, it is the fear of inflicting more wounds on Him than we have already caused Him, it is the shame we experience for the betrayal of showing the world a face that is not His, that is why he said psalmist: “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of Jehovah; A good understanding has all those who practice his commandments; His praise remains forever. (Ps 111.10)

Whoever is guided by his hand is not afraid of falling into a trap, because he knows the way, his Father instructed him and gave him a map. If we know how to orient ourselves well, the fears will disappear because we will show a life that dignifies it and gives it Glory.

Accept the challenge and cast the fear out of your life. Only then can you feel his love in all its fullness.