We each have experienced two types of fear: one is to be fearful and the other is to possess a fear of the Lord.  One is health to our spiritual life, while the other is harmful. To fear the Lord will mean we will also be ones who will quickly depart from evil.  Prov 3:7. We will fear displeasing our Lord.   It is not to be compared to one who is afraid of a tormentor and will comply so they do not make their tormentor angry!  The fear of the Lord is pure and clean.  Like a small child wanting to please Daddy because he loves him. On the other hand, those fearful will be led by a spirit of fear and the god of this world. He will be like a mobster, a god-father who uses fear to control them. Fear is the root of what usually becomes our bondage. Depression, shame, addictions, worry and anxiety, anger, greed, drugs, and alcohol all stem from fear speaking to us. Fear is the opposite and the enemy of faith. This kind of Fear debuted in the Garden of Eden, where the serpent told Adam and Eve that they realized they were naked and should run and hide from God. There are those of us who also are running from God, Many of us ignore areas, traits, and habits in our lives that are not God-pleasing. When we ignore them we essentially are running from the Lord by them. Shame and guilt say ‘Hide!’ Faith says, ‘Come to the light.’ The godfather of this world (2 Cor 4:3-4) has made fear a fact and is a truth many live by. We must be on guard to this and vigil to reject attempts to buy in. We have an example of how fear works in a Christian when Peter was invited to walk with Jesus upon the water; Matt 13:22-33.  Jesus asked Him why did you doubt?  He looked at the waves and the wind – as the facts and truth of the situation while Jesus stood there with Him – who is the truth.   When we let our minds speak fear as fact, based on what we see, perceive, and feel, as Peter did we will sink like him by the power of fear. It is by faith (in Christ), that we overcome fear. How do we grow in faith? By filling our minds and hearts with the truth of who He is, found in the Word. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him  For the help of His countenance.                                     Ps 42:5 Fear is real.  It seeks to take us down.  It watches us, sees our ways and personalities, and uses our vulnerabilities to its advantage. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.           2 Tim 1:7 We cannot reject fear unless we acknowledge it exists as more than a feeling but as a spirit and/or a mindset and power over us. We must be introspective and oversee why we act and react to certain people, situations, and thoughts so we may identify fear if it is present. Jesus is waiting for us to join Him in walking on water.  We cannot pray for this; He has already made a way, and fear is the only thing that stands in the way!  But we must remember that fear will always be there, telling us why walking on water is not such a good idea!