You could have called me a maverick, cause that’s what I was, doing my own thing, saying my own things—whatever came to mind, and I dared anyone to challenge me. This is who I was. I would get drunk on the weekend but walk soberly into church on weekdays and Sundays, not missing a service or special event. Said, “God bless you” and “*%#$ you” during the same time in my life. I was a bag of “mixed nuts,” a term my husband uses for those who curse and bless, who straddle the fence that divides sanctification and self-gratification. I’m not talking about those who do these things and struggle with their patterns. I’m talking about people who are settled in their duality, think it’s ok, as long as they’re giving God His. But it’s not okay. These people are irreverent; they don’t fear God. I didn’t fear God and as I sought God more, I gradually realized that I needed to change.

God fearing, The Proactive Vision: showing respect for God; being concerned how your thoughts and actions may displease Him according to his standards, thus living circumspectly.

God fearing, The Reactive Vision: showing respect for God; being concerned how your thoughts and actions may displease Him according to his standards, thus examining yourself after acting and making adjustments where necessary.

So I believe God’s vision for someone who is God fearing is that she knows God’s expectations and seeks to please Him by proactively fulfilling His expectations and reactively fulfilling them by recognizing her mistakes, making apologies to God and others, and repenting. In short, a God fearing woman doesn’t seek to gratify herself but seeks to please God on His terms. Being God fearing is the basis for all the other characteristics for a strong woman. I would love to hear about how you have walked out your proactive and reactive visions. Give me a holla.