Premanand Maharaj Ji
Why does my mind keep creating fear and worry about what people said?
Imagined fear comes from lack of discernment
The mind can invent fear out of nothing when viveka, or discernment, is missing. With discernment you cut the chain of thoughts at once, and Bhagwan is there to protect.
It is a lack of viveka (discernment) that lets the mind bind us. It can bind us even through imagination, and create fear without any person, object or place.