BEING AFRAID AND BEING TERRIFIED
Fear is an emotional response found ubiquitously in humans. It is only the degree of fear that varies and that is determined by our innate makeup and by specific circumstances that we are exposed to. While fear is common, at times fear can get pathological and manifests as panic disorders, anxiety disorders, specific fears etc. But the Bible talks of fear which is at another level altogether and that is being terrified. And interestingly being terrified is a response to God.
In the Old Testament, we read verses like,
‘But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases. He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him. God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me’ (Job 23:13-16).
“Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord. “Should you not tremble in my presence?” (Jeremiah 5:22).
Such was the incredible presence of God that man would die when face to face with God. In the gospel narrative we read the interesting passage of the disciples facing a life-threatening squall. They wake Jesus up,
‘He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”’ (Mark 4:39-41)
Is it not interesting that they transition from being afraid of the storm to being terrified of Jesus at that instant?
Many try to downplay fear of God, substituting fear with similar emotions like reverence, awe, respect etc. However, the original words used to describe fear in the Bible, accurately portray a sense of being terrified, which is the correct translation when used to depict the fear that grips man on encountering God in his fullness. Why is that so? Why is it that when man comes face to face with God, unless God shields man from His presence, the sense of fear goes through the roof? Perhaps it is because of the fact that God overwhelms both the physical and spiritual realm unlike circumstances we commonly face in our lives that can transiently dominate the physical realm. In Matthew 10:28, we read, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
While a distant God terrifies, when one finds peace with God through salvation offered by Christ, fear dissipates, is replaced by love and a presence of worship. When you stand far away from God, fear is to be expected. When you stand with God, nothing can make you afraid.
