If you are brutally honest with yourself...

[But] a ruthless honesty will always leave us shattered by our inadequacy. the world is a frightening place. If we are not a little bit scared, we simply don't know what is going on. If we are pleased with ourselves, we either don't have very high standards or have amnesia in regard to the central reality, for 'it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God' (Heb 10:31). Pascal said, 'Fear not, provided you fear; but if you fear not, then fear.'

- p. 223, Life At Its Best by Eugene Peterson