I’m guessing that everyone reading this has at some time in their life burnt their finger. Touching the hot pot you were not supposed to touch . . . lighting a match and then trying to put it out with your finger . . . reaching down to pull out the kickstart of your motorbike and grabbing the exhaust instead . . . you get the picture!

I remember a time when I would have been about 6 years old. We were living in Miro Place at the time and had a bit of a neighbourhood fireworks night - a big burnoff of some trees and the like, the biggest bonfire I had ever seen at the time. The next morning, being so young and keen, I ran down to see what remained of the bonfire (and to look for double happies that hadn’t worked). I thought that the best place to look would be where the fire was . . . so, completely barefooted, I ran into the ash . . . only to discover that she was still cookin’! Needless to say, I ran all the way home crying and bawling my eyes out. I learnt something that day!

There is a type of fear that is not good. Fear that paralyses, fear that hurts to pain and injure, fear that keeps you from being all that you are called to be. That’s not good fear and if you are experiencing that type of fear today, I encourage you to find someone to talk to and pray with because God, your loving Father, does not want you to live in that fear.

The fear that we DO need is a healthy fear of the Lord.

Proverbs clearly spells out that having the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. Who doesn’t want that! So, what do I mean by this type of fear?

This type of fear can be better termed as deep respect, utmost acknowledgement, strong understanding of the power of, holding in high esteem and honour.

To help us all understand this type of fear, consider the feelings associated with the following images:

Some may look at these images and say things like, “How cute . . . wouldn’t mind an Insta-selfie with that . . . so beautiful . . . stunning . . .” and whilst these are all true, they need to be considered in light of the following images also . . .

The lion - majestic, powerful and with the power to devour anything and everything it so desires. Some want an Instagram selfie with a lion, yet most know of the intrinsic danger that comes with that . . .

The ocean - peaceful and calm yet with the power to put all that men builds to rest in an instant . . .

Electricity - accessible at the flick of a switch yet when encountered without caution or in haste, renders even the strongest man incapable . . .

The desert - stunningly beautiful but with an average night time temperature of -4 degrees Celsius, one doesn’t simply wander out there for a night under the stars . . .

Note that each of the corresponding images are the same thing. A lion lying down at rest in the grasses of Africa is the same lion staring you down from behind a log.

The same thing, but note the power, authority and limitless of them all.

It is important that we have a healthy, respectful, and honourable understanding and fear of the Lord. And, incredibly, this is not just so that He receives the glory, but also for our benefit . . .

There is such a thing as healthy fear . . . and we all need it

Why did you stop?

Be an investor, not a spender…