Fear is an ancient signal of danger.  In the stone ages we survived by respecting our fear.

In a physical situation your fear needs that respect.  You can be hurt or killed.

In a social, financial, or romantic situation progress has shrunk bad consequences down to some shame and some ego pain.  If you can take these, then fear is no longer a reason to stay away.  If you fear a thing, it's because it's important.  If you can take the consequences, you should go straight at the thing you fear instead of away from it.