I agree 100% with the philosophy, but I would name the fear differently. I think we're afraid of insignificance.
Even the athiests who say we just use Jesus as a crutch so we won't feel insignificant are projecting.
And, of course, knowing that God was willing to die so I could live does a great job of making me feel significant.
Or alternatively, that knowledge gives you the assurance that you're not alone against entropy, which is another name for death.