It is unpopular to speak of the "Fear of the LORD". This is foolishness!!! Why shouldn't one fear God? Consider that HE has the power to create everything and sustain it for eons beyond eons. HE has the power to consign people to hell (Gehenna) or grant them access to heaven. I found a couple of references on the net that explain the concept plainly;the links are listed below and are worth taking the time to read...
http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/bible-answers/spirituallife/what-does-it-mean-to-fear-god.html
http://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/131/how-can-we-understand-fear
Frankly, the world can be a scary place and many very bad things can happen to you, but whatever can happen to you here is nothing compared to eternal punishment. Jesus said it well:
Matthew, Chapter 10
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! 26 Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed; and hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. 28 Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
I know this can be a difficult topic for some, but my take on all this is that for the Christian, fear is putting God on the throne of your life and following HIM with respect and awe in every aspect of your life. At the judgment, Christ will continue to intercede for us, so the dread aspect of fear will not come into play. Without Christ- only terror awaits, so, BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID!!!