“Sometimes we think fear ought to be classed with stealing. It seems to cause more trouble.” (Page 67, Big Book)
Stealing is a behaviour, and plain wrong. One simply does not permit it. Psychology and emotion have nothing to do with it. Whatever the temptation, whatever the thinking, we just don’t do it.
Fear is also a behaviour. The temptation to fear is psychological. The practice of fear—the belief of the narrative and the toying with fearful ideas—is an activity of the mind, on the same level as any material action. The job is therefore simply to stop it. If we do that and turn to God, God, over time, removes the temptation, which returns less and less. But we must do our bit. Do not let it in. If you let it in, kick it out. Fill the mind with something else.