Turning Fear Into a Friend with Anticipation

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Hey, lady, let’s talk about getting ready for something big. As midlife women, we’re called to live with purpose, preparing for God’s plan with bold faith.

But the fear of the unknown, the gnawing worry about what’s next, and the anxiety that knots your stomach can make stepping forward feel paralyzing. What if the path ahead is unclear? What if you’re not ready? What if you’re moving in the wrong direction or making a mistake?

God’s call is clear—Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (NIV). Yet, fear can feel like an enemy.

But what if we could turn fear into a friend by transforming it into anticipation—a joyful, faith-filled expectation that fuels action? Anticipation is the antidote to fear, worry, and anxiety, readying your heart, mind, and spirit for His plan. Let’s explore how to make fear an friend with a simple exercise.

The Power of Anticipation

Fear of the unknown is like standing at a cliff’s edge, heart pounding, palms sweating, mind racing—Will I fail? Am I on the wrong path? Worry traps you in endless “what ifs,” stealing sleep and peace. Anxiety’s grip makes the future feel like a threat, chaining you to doubt.

But here’s the key: physiologically, fear, anxiety, and worry are strikingly similar to anticipation. The racing heart, heightened focus, and surge of energy are nearly identical—it’s just the story your mind tells that differs. Fear screams danger; anticipation giggles opportunity.

This similarity makes it easy to flip the switch by reframing thoughts. For example, imagine going to a dinner party where you know no one. Those old devils raise their heads: What if I don’t fit in? What if no one talks to me? What if I have nothing interesting to say? Fear paints a picture of isolation, your pulse races, anxiety creeps in. But you can reframe those thoughts to spark anticipation: I wonder how many new friends I can make tonight. That racing heart turns to excitement for meeting new people. Or try, What if I start a conversation by asking someone about their favorite hobby? Your focus shifts to curiosity, easing worry. Or even, What if I share a story that helps someone? Anxiety transforms into eagerness to connect, trusting God’s plan for meaningful encounters. Anticipation redirects fear’s energy into hope, aligning you with faith.

God’s plan is like an uncharted journey—He hasn’t revealed the destination, and doubts may creep in, but anticipation channels that energy into trust. Mark 11:24 says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (NIV).

Anticipation is praying with faith, acting with courage, and turning fear into an ally for His purpose.

NLP Anchoring Exercise: Turning Fear into Anticipation

To harness anticipation as the antidote to fear, worry, or anxiety about the unknown, try this Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) anchoring exercise I cal Fear to Faith Flip. It helps you capture the joy and readiness of anticipating a positive outcome, anchoring it to a physical trigger so you can recall it when fear or anxiety strikes, transforming those emotions into hope-filled action to prepare for God’s plan. This exercise uses Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic (VAK) questions to vividly build the emotional state, making it strong and accessible to counter the weight of the unknown.

Purpose:

To anchor the emotional state of anticipation—joy, excitement, focus—so you can tap into it when fear of the unknown, worry, or anxiety creeps in, preparing your mind and spirit for God’s purpose with hope in action.

Materials Needed:

  • A quiet space for 10-15 minutes.
  • A Bible or access to Mark 11:24.
  • Optional: A journal for reflections.

Steps:

  1. Find a Calm Space and Center Yourself (2 minutes):
    • Sit comfortably in a quiet place, hands resting on your lap.
    • Take three deep breaths, inhaling through your nose, exhaling through your mouth, releasing tension and any anxious thoughts about the future.
    • Pray briefly: “God, replace my fear, worry, and anxiety with joy for Your plan.” This aligns your spirit with faith, calming fear’s grip.
  2. Recall a Vivid Anticipation Experience (3-5 minutes):
    • Close your eyes and picture a time you were eagerly preparing for a meaningful event, like a celebration or opportunity. Feel the excitement of imagining success, the joy of planning, the focus of getting ready. If fear of the unknown or worry about what’s next arises, let anticipation’s joy push it aside, reminding you of God’s control.
    • Build the emotion with these VAK questions:
      • Visual: What do you see? The vibrant scene of the event? Your confident smile as you prepare?
      • Auditory: What do you hear? Encouraging words from others? The hum of your own focused thoughts?
      • Kinesthetic: What do you feel? The thrill in your chest? The lightness of a smile spreading?
    • If you can’t recall a specific event, imagine preparing for a future moment of purpose, focusing on the same emotions.
    • Let the emotions of anticipation—joy, readiness, eagerness—peak, noticing your body’s energy (e.g., warmth, tingling) as fear, worry, and anxiety fade.
  3. Set the Anchor (1 minute):
    • When anticipation is at its strongest, press your thumb and index finger together on your right hand, holding firmly for 10-15 seconds while feeling the joy increase.
    • Say aloud with energy in your voice and body, “I’m ready for God’s plan,” tying the emotion to your faith and releasing worry about the unknown.
    • Release the pressure, take a deep breath, and relax briefly.
  4. Reinforce with Scripture (2-3 minutes):
    • Read Mark 11:24: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (NIV). Let it sink in, connecting the joy of anticipation to trusting God’s plan over anxiety.
    • Press your thumb and index finger again, saying “I’m ready for God’s plan,” to strengthen the anchor with scripture’s truth, grounding you against fear.
  5. Test the Anchor (1-2 minutes):
    • Shake off the emotion by stretching or sipping water. Then press your thumb and index finger together, saying, “I’m ready for God’s plan.”
    • Notice if joy, excitement, and readiness return, overpowering any fear, worry, or anxiety. If faint, repeat, starting at Step 2, to intensify the anchor.
  6. Apply the Anchor When Fear Strikes (1 minute):
    • When fear of the unknown, worry about what’s next, or anxiety creeps in—whether about a decision, a change, or an unclear future—press your thumb and index finger, say “I’m ready for God’s plan,” and feel anticipation’s joy. Use it before prayer, decisions, or moments of doubt to refocus your mind. For example, when anxiety about an upcoming change surfaces, trigger the anchor to redirect that racing heart into eager readiness for a new opportunity.
    • Journal how this anchor helps you shift from fear to anticipation, noting changes in your heart or spirit as anxiety fades.

Tips for Success:

  • Practice Regularly: To build the habit and strengthen the anchor, practice the exercise 2-3 times a week, even when you’re not feeling fear, worry, or anxiety. Set aside 2 minutes each morning or evening to press your thumb and index finger, say “I’m ready for God’s plan,” and recall the joy of anticipation. This consistent practice makes the anchor second nature, so it’s ready to counter fear when it strikes.
  • Stay Faith-Focused: Root the anchor in prayer and scripture to tie it to your spirit’s connection to God, reinforcing trust over the unknown.
  • Stack More Memories or Turn Up the Volume: If anchoring feels tough or fear persists, try adding in more memories of anticipation and excitement as you apply your anchor, and make sure to use your whole body and voice to express! You can also play around with your senses such as making your memory more vivid, the sounds more crisp and clear, and the feelings in your body more amplified.

Practices to Transform Fear

God’s Word helps us turn fear into anticipation. Try these alongside the anchoring exercise:

  • Act with Courage: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, NIV). Let anticipation redirect fear’s energy into bold decisions.
  • Live Your Faith: “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17, NIV). Take steps—pray, serve—to trust God over worry.
  • Trust God’s Plan: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this” (Psalm 37:4-5, NIV). Let anticipation guide you toward His purpose.

Practical Steps to Embrace Anticipation

These steps help you prepare for God’s plan, turning fear into a friend through anticipation:

  • Anchor Daily: Use the NLP exercise to redirect fear’s energy into anticipation’s joy when worry strikes.
  • Pray with Trust: Spend 5 minutes praying, trusting God’s plan (Mark 11:24), lifting hope over anxiety.
  • Pause Doubts: When fear clouds your mind, pause, read a verse, or breathe deeply to refocus
  • Connect in Community: Join a faith-based group to prepare your spirit through shared purpose.

Hope in Action

Anticipation turns fear into a friend, using the same physiological energy to fuel joy, like embracing a new opportunity. Prepare with faith, and answer God’s call with courage, free from fear’s chains.

Grab Your own copy of my Fear to Faith Flip exercise here!

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