---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Obviously, the real issue has nothing to…"
description: "\"Obviously, the real issue has nothing to do with fear itself, but, rather, how we hold the fear. For some, the fear is totally irrelevant. For others, ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c55/susan-jeffers-6863_action_obviously-the-real-issue-has-nothing-to_2571942.jpg"
---

#  Obviously, the real issue has nothing to do with fear…

![“Obviously, the real issue has nothing to do with fear itself, but, rather, how we hold the fear. For some, the fear is totally irrelevant. For others, it creates a state of paralysis. The former hold their fear from a position of power (choice, energy, and action), and the latter hold it from a…” quote by Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c55/susan-jeffers-6863_action_obviously-the-real-issue-has-nothing-to_2571942.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c55/susan-jeffers-6863_action_obviously-the-real-issue-has-nothing-to_2571942.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c55/susan-jeffers-6863_action_obviously-the-real-issue-has-nothing-to_2571942.jpg)

> “Obviously, the real issue has nothing to do with fear itself, but, rather, how we hold the fear. For some, the fear is totally irrelevant. For others, it creates a state of paralysis. The former hold their fear from a position of power (choice, energy, and action), and the latter hold it from a position of pain (helplessness, depression, and paralysis).”

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Fear itself is neutral; power lies in how we respond—either from strength or from pain.

**In simple terms:** Fear is neutral; response matters.

Key Takeaway

Choose empowered response.

Themes

psychology fear empowerment

Mood

motivational practical

Type

self‑help inspirational

When to use this quote

- personal development
- coaching
- therapy

Key Concepts

choice energy action paralysis

Questions to Reflect On

- What empowers you to act despite fear?
- How can you transform fear into energy?

A Different Perspective

Some may lack resources to shift perspective.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fear Itself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-itself/) [Helplessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helplessness/) [Issues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/issues/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Position of power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/position-of-power/)

## Related quotes

> [“The issue is fear. But the deeper issue is trust. Can we trust our lives, our futures, and the lives of those we love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stasi-eldredge/the-issue-is-fear-but-the-deeper-issue-is-trust-can-we-trust-our/)

[Stasi Eldredge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stasi-eldredge/)

> [I don't hold on to fear as much as I used to, because I've learned a lot about genuinely not caring what strangers think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwyneth-paltrow/i-don-t-hold-on-to-fear-as-much-as-i-used-to-because-i-ve-learned-a/)

[Gwyneth Paltrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwyneth-paltrow/)

> [The world is so broken and sometimes it leaves you cold. And at times you can't feel the fire to guide you home. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-haper/the-world-is-so-broken-and-sometimes-it-leaves-you-cold-and-at-times/)

Shane Haper

> [All fear has ever done is hold me back. I have so many things I want to accomplish in my life. For myself and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/all-fear-has-ever-done-is-hold-me-back-i-have-so-many-things-i-want/)

[Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/)

> [You just have to throw fear out the window. If there's anything that's going to hold you back, it's fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-taymor/you-just-have-to-throw-fear-out-the-window-if-there-s-anything-that-s/)

[Julie Taymor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-taymor/)

> [“1:261-262 THROW IT TO THE THIEVES The fear of the Lord is different from other trepidation. You need a healthy fear of what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bahauddin/1-261-262-throw-it-to-the-thieves-the-fear-of-the-lord-is-different/)

[Bahauddin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bahauddin/)

> [Give fear no hold on you. Keep sinews loose and senses open, ready at every instant to flow with the rush of action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poul-anderson/give-fear-no-hold-on-you-keep-sinews-loose-and-senses-open-ready-at/)

[Poul Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poul-anderson/)

> [It's not a terrible thing that we feel fear when faced with the unknown. It is a part of being alive, something we all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/it-s-not-a-terrible-thing-that-we-feel-fear-when-faced-with-the-2/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [“You feel that?" he nearly whispered, his voice low and intent. "You feel that rage inside? Burning hot in the pit of your stomach?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffany-a-snow/you-feel-that-he-nearly-whispered-his-voice-low-and-intent-you-feel/)

[Tiffany A. Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffany-a-snow/)

> [Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/fear-can-hold-you-prisoner-hope-can-set-you-free/)

[Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/)

> [I kind of look at what's on the T-shirts and I see another solution, which also worries me. I see "Just do it." "No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-hayes/i-kind-of-look-at-what-s-on-the-t-shirts-and-i-see-another-solution/)

[Steven C. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-hayes/)

> [Fear can hold you Back from great opportunities. Mizlyrics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tawana-beecham/fear-can-hold-you-back-from-great-opportunities-mizlyrics/)

[Tawana Beecham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tawana-beecham/)

> [If you let fear take hold, if you let it own you, your life ceases to be your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-crouch/if-you-let-fear-take-hold-if-you-let-it-own-you-your-life-ceases-to/)

[Blake Crouch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-crouch/)

> [Learn as though you would never be able to master it; hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/learn-as-though-you-would-never-be-able-to-master-it-hold-it-as/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [“Death should hold no fear for a man as old as me, but it does. Isn't that silly? It is always dark where I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/death-should-hold-no-fear-for-a-man-as-old-as-me-but-it-does-isn-t-2/)

[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

## More by Susan Jeffers

> [Dear God, I trust that no matter what happens in my life, it is for my highest good. And no matter what happens in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/dear-god-i-trust-that-no-matter-what-happens-in-my-life-it-is-for-my/)

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

> [All the dangers in our world are like a blessed wake up call. They tell us to live life NOW... not tomorrow, not when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/all-the-dangers-in-our-world-are-like-a-blessed-wake-up-call-they/)

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

> [When we give from a place of love, rather than from a place of expectation, more usually comes back to us than we could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/when-we-give-from-a-place-of-love-rather-than-from-a-place-of/)

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

> [As your awareness of the riches available to you in your everyday life grows, you are on the way to becoming the laughing Buddha.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/as-your-awareness-of-the-riches-available-to-you-in-your-everyday/)

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

> [A ship in harbour is safe, but it's not fulfilling its potential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/a-ship-in-harbour-is-safe-but-it-s-not-fulfilling-its-potential/)

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

> [We don't have to wait until we are old to gather the riches... We can gather them every day of our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/we-don-t-have-to-wait-until-we-are-old-to-gather-the-riches-we-can/)

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

> [“I will handle it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/i-will-handle-it/)

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

> [We all create expectations of what we would like to happen after a decision is made. The picture in our mind's eye might have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/we-all-create-expectations-of-what-we-would-like-to-happen-after-a/)

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

> [Every time you encounter something that forces you to “handle it,” your self-esteem is raised considerably. You learn to trust that you will survive,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/every-time-you-encounter-something-that-forces-you-to-handle-it-your/)

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

> [Complaining will not change things in your life; only action will. Make a list of all you need to do to change what doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/complaining-will-not-change-things-in-your-life-only-action-will-make/)

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

> [Dancing with life is moving into the flow of our experiences - good or bad - with a feeling of harmony, trust, guidance and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/dancing-with-life-is-moving-into-the-flow-of-our-experiences-good-or/)

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

> [The wall that protects you, also imprisons you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/the-wall-that-protects-you-also-imprisons-you/)

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

> [The source of our love comes from within. No one out there is that source. It makes sense to go to the source.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/the-source-of-our-love-comes-from-within-no-one-out-there-is-that/)

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

> [Commitment doesn't mean that it has to last forever, but while you are there, commit yourself 100%. By doing this, the quality of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/commitment-doesn-t-mean-that-it-has-to-last-forever-but-while-you-are/)

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

> [Security isn't having things, it's handling things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/security-isn-t-having-things-it-s-handling-things/)

[Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

[Explore all 97 Susan Jeffers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/)

## More Action quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Obviously, the real issue has nothing to do with fear itself, but, rather, how we hold the fear. For some, the fear is totally irrelevant. For others, it creates a state of paralysis. The former hold their fear from a position of power (choice, energy, and action), and the latter hold it from a position of pain (helplessness, depression, and paralysis).",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Susan Jeffers"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/obviously-the-real-issue-has-nothing-to-do-with-fear-itself-but/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/obviously-the-real-issue-has-nothing-to-do-with-fear-itself-but/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c55/susan-jeffers-6863_action_obviously-the-real-issue-has-nothing-to_2571942.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c55/susan-jeffers-6863_action_obviously-the-real-issue-has-nothing-to_2571942.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c55/susan-jeffers-6863_action_obviously-the-real-issue-has-nothing-to_2571942.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Obviously, the real issue has nothing to do with fear itself, but, rather, how we hold the fear. For some…” — Susan Jeffers",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Susan Jeffers",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Obviously, the real issue has nothing...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/obviously-the-real-issue-has-nothing-to-do-with-fear-itself-but/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/obviously-the-real-issue-has-nothing-to-do-with-fear-itself-but/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
