Fear has destroyed many even before the main problem or situation...

Sometimes we limit our value and achievements due to fear..

Fear of failure
Fear of being mocked
Fear of losing prestige..

Many of us fear that we will be seen as dullard or unintelligent if we fail, mostly when others are doing same thing adn coming out with good results..
An illustration should be an examination where 3 guys participated, read together but only two passed, how do you think the one who didn't pass will feel, and how do you think the people who passed will look at at the one that that failed...

This is just what fear causes, if you believe in yourself, you will know there is still hope..

fear of being mocked comes when you don't want to do what others are doing to make ends meet because you think you are too good for it and your friends will mock you when you do.. An illustration is someone who lost his job and has been looking for a job, all to no avail and he was introduced either to a road side business, either petty trade etc and he will be like, from an office worker to a trader, what will my friends say...

But to be candid, its nothing..we should be proud of our hustle since we ain't stealing..
Just like you said

Fear as a way of stopping us from actually achieving our goals, Many that are down today or that as experience one failure or the other today are suffering from the ability not to stand up to their feat and take the right steps.

Fear might stop us from achieving our goals or taking the right steps, we don't know if that thing we are afraid or doing is where our blessing wants to come from..

Most times our plans ain't God's plan, so we should just keep pushing and wait for God's time...

Thanks