There are moments in life when we feel as though we’re walking on a tightrope, trying to balance our faith and our flaws. We long to live up to the expectations of a God who is both all-powerful and loving, yet we know deep down that, as human beings, we will stumble. We will fall. We will miss the mark. This creates a tension between striving to live according to God’s will and the fear of disappointing Him—of letting Him down in ways that feel beyond repair.

But the fear of the Lord, as we often hear it described, is not the kind of fear that paralyzes us in terror or dread. It’s not the fear we experience when facing danger, pain, or harm. Instead, it is the kind of fear that arises from a deep reverence and awe for God’s holiness, majesty, and purpose for our lives. It’s the recognition that He is God, and we are not. And in that realization, we feel a sense of responsibility—not just to follow His commands but to honor Him with the lives we live.

Take a moment to reflect on the life of a father, a man who strives to provide, protect, and care for his family. He loves his children with all his heart and desires nothing more than to see them succeed and flourish. But, as every parent knows, there are times when their child misses the mark—when they disappoint or make mistakes. As a parent, the love doesn’t fade in those moments. The fear that arises is not of anger or punishment but a deep sorrow that comes from knowing their child didn’t live up to their potential, that they’ve veered from the path that leads to flourishing.

This is the fear I speak of when it comes to God. It’s not the fear of retribution but a fear rooted in love—a desire to live in a way that reflects the goodness of the one who created us. The Psalmist reflects this beautifully in Psalm 112:1, “Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying His commands!” There is joy in honoring God, in seeking to live according to His will, and in pursuing the life He’s called us to.

Yet, we know that we will make mistakes. No one is perfect. We are all flawed. The Apostle Paul himself writes in Romans 7:18-19, “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” Even Paul, the apostle, struggled with sin. This is part of the human condition. We strive to honor God, but we fail. And in our failures, we may feel the weight of disappointment—both ours and God’s.

But here’s the beautiful truth: God’s grace is always greater than our failures. In fact, it is in our imperfection that His grace shines brightest. Grace is the hope that anchors us in the midst of our struggles. It’s the unwavering truth that no matter how many times we fall short, God is there to pick us up, dust us off, and invite us to try again. The fear we feel in striving to live a life pleasing to God is not meant to break us down but to draw us closer to His grace.

When we fear the Lord in this way, it’s not a fear that drives us away from God but one that draws us nearer, understanding that His expectations for us are rooted in love, not in condemnation. As the Apostle John writes, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18, NLT). God’s perfect love casts out fear because His love is not about punishment but about restoration, forgiveness, and transformation.

This is where our hope lies—knowing that, while we may stumble, God is ever-present with grace to lift us up. He calls us to live in awe of His holiness, to strive to honor Him in all we do, and to accept His forgiveness when we fall short. And through it all, His grace continues to hold us in the tension between striving and failing, between fear and hope.
As you reflect on this, ask yourself: What is the fear of the Lord that calls you to live better, to love more fully, and to serve others? And in those moments when you stumble, how can you rest in the grace that is always there, offering you the strength to rise again?
Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your loving grace that meets us in our imperfections. Help us to fear You in the way that leads us closer to You, to honor You in all we do, and to rest in the assurance of Your forgiveness when we fall short. Strengthen us by Your Spirit, and guide us in Your truth, that we may live lives that reflect Your love and Your holiness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.