what is fear?

Fear....one of the most controlling emotions that keeps us from experiencing fullness. Just some minutes ago, I prayed, God please open my spiritual eyes....then fear came in and whispered...but what if the devil gives you more challenge because you are growing closer to God...usually this is the pattern. then I usually waver, go back and forth: I want to grow closer to God but I am scared...the what ifs....then I let fear take up a little portion of my prayer time...which often leads to a less passionate prayer than it originally started. Not today...had a breakthrough...thanks to Reina's little swimming drama yesterday. About a couple weeks ago, she forgot she didn't have her float guard on and jumped into the water, of course she drowned. Joseph was right behind her so it was only a second that she was in the water as she was pulled out right away. But of course she was shocked, and she remembered. So yesterday when we went swimming again, feeling scared, she insisted she would only stay in the water if she could hold on to me. But Joseph took over and started encouraging her to swim on her own again. She was originally holding on to me so tight so I was pretty shocked when a few minutes later, she was swimming on her own, kicking her cute little legs. I was like...see you didn't have to be scared at all! God must be smiling and telling me the same thing . Love you Papa.