Fear or Fear?

The English word "fear" usually carries a heavy, negative definition that we tend to associate it with terror, anxiety, or running away from a threat. Because of this, reading a phrase like "the fear of the Lord" can feel contradictory. Why would we be commanded to have joy and peace, but also be terrified of God?

The answer lies in the original Hebrew. 

The Word: Yirah (Strongs Concordance #3374)

In the context of the "fear of the Lord" (such as in Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”), the primary Hebrew word used is Yirah (pronounced yir-AH).

While YIRAH can mean fear in a standard sense, when it is directed toward God, the translation shifts away from "terror" and moves into reverence, awe, and deep respect.

It is not the fear of a victim cowering before an abusive tyrant. 

For example 

The "Grand Canyon" Effect: Think about the feeling of standing at the very edge of the Grand Canyon. You stand there awe struck by the massive beauty and yet looking out as far as the eye can see there's nothing but blue skies and white puffy clouds. Running away from it isnt the "fear" you're experiencing it's the awe struck wonder by a breathtaking sense of healthy respect for how small you are compared to that intensity of trying to grasp the strength and power that it holds. 

When you possess a genuine yirah (reverential awe) for God, it cancels out the fear of man. (See Galatians 1:10) When your respect for God is the biggest thing in the room, the opinions, awkward behavior, and boundary-crossing of other people suddenly shrink down to their proper size. 

The "fear of the Lord" is not a threat to your joy; it is the absolute protection. Why? Because his perfect love casts out all "fear" ( opinions, thoughts and concerns of other people) redirecting your attention to his amazing heart. You recognize that your worth, your calling, and your peace are anchored to God's immense nature. This is why the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, the knowledge of who HE IS.