Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.     Philippians 2:12-13

I am not fearful (phobos: fear, dread, terror) and trembling (tromos: a trembling or quaking with fear) of the Lord’s presence, but of His absence. I am not fearful of what He might do to me, but of Him not doing anything.

I am fearful of those things that are in me that inhibit His work there. I am fearful of not laying hold of all for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me (Philippians 3:12).

Why? Because I desire that He have His good pleasure in and through me.