Fear and prudence

The prudent measures the risks and understands how his decisions may impact his life. For instance: the prudent uses a safe belt because he has nothing to lose and a life to gain. The prudent fears a foolish death in a car accident. A fool does not acknowledge the consequences of his bad decisions. He even can not understand what is going on.
Proverbs attaches fear of the Lord to wisdom.
In proverbs 9:10:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.


Today, there is some kind of false message where punishment is evil and, as the Lord is good, he behaves as Santa Claus. How may some god like that be feared?
The Lord is good and just. Certainly, He punishes evil. The fear of the Lord brings me to repentance, to turn to Him. The knowledge of his holiness and of my sinful condition brings me fear and at the same time, rest in Jesus.