Does Fear Keep You Safe?

Many years ago, a friend gave me a book called Who Moved My Cheese? At one point in the story, a character asks a powerful question: “What would I do if I weren’t afraid?” That question has stayed with me ever since.

Across spiritual and religious traditions, we’re often reminded to “fear not” or “be not afraid.” At the same time, psychology tells us that fear plays a vital role in keeping us safe. So which is it? Is fear something we need, or is it something that holds us back?

In my experience, fear is more of a barrier than a protector. But the real issue isn’t fear itself — it’s how we respond to it. While it’s completely natural to feel afraid in certain situations, our reactions to fear are often irrational, and in some cases, harmful. History shows us that some of the worst atrocities have been driven by fear or fear-based ideologies. Fear activates one of three primitive responses: fight, flight, or freeze. Think for a moment — which of these reactions do you tend to fall into? Do those states bring out the best in you?

If fear isn’t always the best way to protect ourselves, what is? For me, the answer is intuition. A well-developed sense of intuition has been far more effective in guiding me through life than fear ever was. Intuition speaks to us through feelings — subtle, often quiet signals from within. But many people have been taught to distrust their feelings, and so they miss out on the wisdom their intuition offers. When you learn to trust and strengthen this internal compass, it can guide you safely and wisely in ways fear cannot.

This doesn’t mean you should ignore fear altogether. With a high level of self-awareness, you can learn to push through fear — as long as it feels safe to do so. It’s important to weigh the potential benefit of overcoming fear against the risk of the worst possible outcome. Not all fear should be pushed aside, but many of our most limiting fears are precisely the ones worth facing.

These are often the fears that block us from living fully — fears like the fear of failure, fear of what others will think, or fear of rejection. Maybe you feel stuck in a job but hold back from leaving because you’re afraid you won’t succeed elsewhere. Or perhaps you stay in a relationship that makes you unhappy because you fear being alone. In both cases, fear is standing in your way. That’s when it’s helpful to ask: What would I do if I weren’t afraid?

Most of our fears are exaggerated and irrational. They hover in the background of our minds, influencing our decisions in quiet but powerful ways. Yet when we confront those fears directly, they often turn out to be much less threatening than we imagined. And the more we face them, the more confident and free we become.

Remember that it is not fear itself but how we respond to it that matters. Taking steps to overcome fear doesn’t just lead to personal growth — it opens the door to a more meaningful and fulfilling life. Fear may be loud, but your intuition is wise. The question is: which one will you choose to follow?