איוב, פרק כ״ג, פסוק ט״ו

Realizing that human minds cannot grasp how God runs the world brings about a deep, existential dread, leaving a person feeling entirely small and helpless. This terror stems from the harsh conclusion that God does not always seem to treat people strictly according to their actions [רש״י]. Furthermore, His decisions are absolute. He acts according to His own will and does not reverse His judgments [מצודת דוד, רמב״ן]. People are left highly anxious because they cannot question the Creator or understand His hidden paths [תקות אנוש]. This panic is a sudden anxiety that strikes out of nowhere, leaving a person completely unsettled and unable to think clearly [מלבי״ם].

This overwhelming dread forces a change of heart regarding the desire to face God in a direct trial. While someone might initially wish to stand before God face-to-face to argue their case, the sheer thought of such an encounter brings intense terror. If merely standing far away and organizing arguments in one's mind causes such deep fear, actually meeting God for a trial would be absolutely terrifying [אלשיך].

Another perspective shifts the focus to the internal struggle of a suffering person. Initially, the shock comes directly from the pain of the hardship itself. However, when a person stops to reflect on God's immense goodness, that initial shock transforms into a profound fear. They begin to worry that they might carry a hidden, unacknowledged sin that brought about the punishment [רמב״ן].

Ultimately, the more a person thinks deeply about their own actions and God's mysterious ways, the stronger the fear becomes [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. This compounding dread constantly reinforces itself, serving to heavily emphasize and magnify an inescapable sense of awe and terror [מצודת דוד].