This was clearly the fear of success at work. I'm certain, too, that we as Christians are more prone to this fear than most people. Christian teaching often fails to balance biblical perspectives on the desires of the flesh and self-denial with the positive role of motivation and accomplishment in the Christian life. The result is a myriad of success-phobics among modern Christians. Many Christians are convinced that God doesn't wish them to enjoy significant success.
Scripture does have plenty to say about the danger of success becoming an idol.
Yet it speaks just as often about the positive side of success and the importance of using our gifts constructively for God's glory. God has ordained each of our lives to certain accomplishment. Yet the fear of success can hold us back from God's best as greatly as any other inhibition or sin. They had fished all night but caught nothing. Jesus tells them to drop their nets once again, and this time their catch is so great that they can scarcely haul it ashore.