It is not one or the other, but both. You must try to appreciate both the kindness and the strict justice of God. Fear is the only possible initial response to a real encounter with the living God while in a body of flesh. Our fears may be quelled, but only by His word, not ours. Fear and love are not in a state of paradox.
Fear is rather a rite of passage to other things, including love among others.
The fear of the Lord we liken to a virgin's fear of consummation with her husband. It is not a fear by itself, but a fear coupled with passion to do the thing that is so fearful. To be giddy and flippant is to set yourself up to fail in the moment. Both Laura and I were virgins when we married, so we know of what we speak here. We were both desirous of each other and seized with fear at the same time.