I do agree that anxiety guides our decisions and can keep us safe- sometimes too safe, as has already been pointed out. For example, the "good" anxiety would make us think twice about doing something risky, the "bad" (for lack of a better term) anxiety allows us to feel that driving a car is risky, being in an enclosed space is risky, or even that leaving the house is risky. This negative anxiety really makes me second-guess everything . It is tough. People often say, "trust your gut", "go with your instinct" and I just don't know what that is anymore- my gut says, driving is scary, I'm doomed to fail, I'm too messed up to have a baby someday, and my husband will most likely leave me down the road (worst-case scenerio situations). So, to answer your question, YES anxiety is a driving factor in every decision we (or I?) make in life but the anxiety disorders can potentially guide us (or myself?) in the wrong direction. That's just how it feels for me personally so take it for whatever it's worth to you.

Good luck!