Not all fear is harmful, crippling, or destructive. Some fear is healthy and necessary! We are admonished time and time again in God’s Word to “fear the Lord.” (Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 10:27; Proverbs 31:30). Unsaved people should fear meeting their Maker (Matthew 10:28).

A moderate sense of fear may be considered normal, even healthy. It may be simply an awareness of impending danger—a defense mechanism. It may be just the pounding heart, flushed face, and sweaty palms in anticipation of being called on in class or being asked to make a speech at a meeting.