You can find this concept in the Noam Elimelech.
Sam, many things can seemingly violate the biggest Ikker (in some people’s mind). How can Moshe Rabbeinu Bentch Yehoshua not to fall into the trap of the Meraglim? The Ohr Hschayim Hakadosh writes that although Yiras Shamayim is not on hands of heaven, out os in the hands of Tzaddikim.
Why does physical influence not seem to contradict the free will rule and only a spiritual influence does?