When Fear Visited Me: A Personal Transformation Through Islamic and Mindset Psychology

By Ishmael Mailos -

 When Fear Visited Me: A Personal Transformation Through Islamic and Mindset Psychology

There was a time when my own thoughts terrified me.

Every time I faced a challenge, my mind would go into overdrive—a whirlwind of what ifs, hows, and whys. But what truly crushed me wasn’t the fear itself,it was the heaviness in my heart, the guilt that came with even having those thoughts.

My heart would pound mercilessly. A numbing stillness would creep in. I’d then switch into helplessness mode,victim mode, and all its cousins. The safest option? Run. Retreat. Discard the thoughts and slip back into the familiarity of my comfort zone.

 Struggle: The Battle Between Mind and Heart

But a shift began when I stopped running and started asking:

Why do I fear my thoughts? Why do I give them so much power? What if my fear isn’t an enemy.but a messenger?

I started facing the fear and exploring its roots. That’s when something amazing happened: I discovered the fear didn’t come from my inability to solve my problems. My mind could map a solution. But my heart was refusing to feel what needed to be felt in order to act on that solution. I was emotionally resisting discomfort.

There was a disconnect between my thoughts and my feelings. My mind knew what to do, but my heart wasn’t on board. This internal incoherence created a breeding ground for fear.

 Shift: When I Rewrote the Narrative

That insight changed everything.

I began to see fear not as a stumbling block, but as a building block. Not a threat, but a signal:a divine nudge toward growth.
As narrative psychology teaches, the stories we tell ourselves shape how we live. I rewrote my inner narrative:

“Fear is not my enemy. It is my trainer, my mentor, my invitation to transform.”

I began exploring the meaning behind my fears with compassion instead of judgment. I saw them as part of the narrative of becoming, not signs of failure.

From a mindset psychology perspective, I shifted from a fixed mindset (“This is how I am”) to a growth mindset (“This is how I can grow”).

And from an Islamic perspective, I remembered that discomfort is often the sign of a higher calling:

"Perhaps you dislike something which is good for you."– Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:216)

Fear, I realized, could be a divine invitation to step into the unknown -with trust.

Strength: The Fear Routine :Transforming Emotion Into Evolution

From this place of awareness, I crafted what I now call my Fear Routine: a tool I return to whenever fear strikes:

  • Pause and Breathe : I calm my body and regulate my nervous system.
  • Name the Fear : I ask: Is this fear real or imagined?
  • Reality Check  : I discard illusions and confront truths.
  • Values Alignment : I assess: Does this path align with my core values and vision?
  • Integrate and Act  : I allow myself to evolve—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reminded us:
"Know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and hardship with ease."
(Hadith – Tirmidhi)

Fear is a space between affliction and ease,a test ground for spiritual, emotional, and psychological evolution.

Final Reflection: What Is Your Fear Telling You?

So now, when fear visits me, I don’t run. I listen. I breathe. I ask:

“What is this fear inviting me to become?”

 Ask yourself:

  • What fear are you currently facing?
  • Is it warning you,or inviting you?
  • Are you narrating your fear as a wall,or as a bridge?
  • Let your fear guide you,not define you.

 Final Word



Transformation doesn't happen in comfort,it begins at the edge of fear.

The goal isn't to become fearless, but to become courageous:to show up despite the fear, in pursuit of your higher self.

“I may be afraid, but I’ll show up anyway.”

That’s where all great outcomes begin.

Trained teacher with experience in both secondary and tertiary level technical and vocational subjects,sciences and has experience in teacher education.Holds Bsc Psychology with specialisation in Islamic Psychology.Currently works with Malawi Children Village(MCV) Foundation

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