Is it Fear or Stress? part 1

Published August 27th 2026

GRID's Transformational and Thankful Thursday: Is Fear Hiding Behind Your Stress?

What if some of the stress you carry is not really stress at all? What if fear is wearing the mask? As a person of faith, are we to take fear or are we called to renew our minds and abandoned fear?

Truth be told, stress was coined a little over one hundred years ago. While most of us heard of fright and flight dealing with stress, many have accepted stress as a badge of honor while it is physiologically impacting our well-being. How many people passed almost immediately after retiring?

Many of us can quickly identify stress in our lives. We say:

• “I am stressed about work”

• “I am stressed about my finances"

• “I am stressed about my health”

• “I am stressed because I have too much to do."

The reality is life comes with demands, responsibilities, unexpected changes, deadlines, caregiving, financial obligations, relationships, and decisions that can place real pressure on our minds and bodies. Today, I invite you to pause and ask a different question: "is it stress, or is fear hiding underneath it?" Sometimes what we call stress is actually fear wearing a more socially acceptable mask.

When Fear Puts on a Mask

Fear does not always announce itself by saying, “I am afraid.” Sometimes fear sounds like:

• “What if I fail?”

• “What if this does not work?”

• “What will people think?”

• “I need more time before I start.”

• “I am not ready yet.”

• “What if I make the wrong decision?”

• “I cannot afford to take that chance.” or

• “Maybe next year will be better.”

Instead of calling it fear, we may call it stress. We become stressed about making the decision because we are afraid of making the wrong one. We become stressed about starting the business, applying for the position, returning to school, changing our eating habits, ending an unhealthy relationship, or pursuing a dream because somewhere underneath the pressure may be fear of failure, rejection, disappointment, change; or even success. Fear can keep us busy. Stress can make us feel as though we are doing something. But sometimes, underneath all that activity, we may actually be standing still.

Stress Is Real: But Fear Can Add Another Layer

It is important not to dismiss stress or suggest that all stress is caused by fear. Stress is a real psychological and physiological response to demands or perceived threats. Research has long demonstrated that how we interpret and evaluate situations can influence our stress response (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). However, fear can become part of that interpretation. For example, imagine two people facing the same opportunity. One person may think:

“This is challenging, but I can learn as I go.”

Another may think:

“What if I embarrass myself? What if I fail? What if everyone realizes I am not good enough?”

Same situation but two internal experiences that feel real to the individual. According to research, when our minds repeatedly anticipate danger, failure, rejection, or loss, our bodies may respond accordingly. Fear can activate the body's stress response, preparing us to protect ourselves from what we perceive as a threat.

The challenge is that not every perceived threat is an immediate danger. Sometimes the “threat” is simply:

• Growth.

• Change.

• Being seen.

• Trying something new.

• Setting a boundary.

• Letting go.

• Saying yes.

• Saying no.

• Becoming the person you say you want to become.

Stay tune next week as we continue the conversation on is it Fear or Stress. Because at GRID Holistic Living, we believe transformation is not about perfection. It is about becoming more aware, making intentional shifts, and moving toward Whole Health, Whole Life, Whole You! What fear might be hiding behind your stress today?

References

Craske, M. G., Treanor, M., Conway, C. C., Zbozinek, T., & Vervliet, B. (2014). Maximizing exposure therapy: An inhibitory learning approach. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 58, 10–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2014.04.006

Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377

Gross, J. J. (2015). Emotion regulation: Current status and future prospects. Psychological Inquiry, 26(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/1047840X.2014.940781

Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer Publishing Company.

McEwen, B. S. (2007). Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation: Central role of the brain. Physiological Reviews, 87(3), 873–904. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00041.2006