You are not the same person you were a year ago.
In 6 months from now you will be in a completely different space, mentally, spiritually and financially.
Wow! Lots will change!
In a year from today, so much will have changed; your thinking, your desires, your connection with God, your circumstances.
‘Positive expectancy’ as opposed to negative or no expectancy is a fantastic ability to develop which will cause your life to grow amazingly well and to change positively.
But how can we develop this ability?
We all have expectancy.
When I asked some people what they hoped for this year, some said; ‘I don’t know really, I haven’t really thought about it.’ This is an example of passive or low expectancy. It’s not wrong. It just is what it is. It doesn’t inspire. It doesn’t create a future full of hope. The reality is that often we have situations to deal with which are difficult so all our energy and thinking goes towards dealing with them. Sometimes we are just comfortable and content where we are. Either way, there is more!
Positive expectancy enables us to connect with our best most creative selves. It helps us to form a better future and to create solutions to problems.
Our creativity can be used either positively or negatively. Some people are incredible at thinking up the worse possible scenarios that could happen. You can easily spot people who fall into this category, eg people who carry cynicism, or ‘glass half empty thinking’. They are afraid of what is going to happen, economically in the country, politically or environmentally. They expect that nothing will improve in their finances, relationships or work. They carry ‘negative expectancy.’
‘Positive expectancy’ is the complete opposite.
It often goes against the grain (as most people tend towards a negative outlook). It is not always met with a positive response. It’s an attitude where every circumstance can be flipped to expect and believe that a positive outcome will eventuate. It means expecting that you will be blessed.
It is scriptural. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
But do we really believe this for all things?
Before Christmas my husband’s laptop broke. He was devastated. It was not the time we were planning to invest in a new laptop. We did not have the budget! I optimistically encouraged him that ultimately God would bless him with a new one, very soon. It would be a better laptop. It would make his work easier and quicker. Guess what, he is using it now and loves it. A family member loaned us the money. It worked out for the best.
I know, my example is not entirely fair as it’s easier to trust that others will get blessed but not always so easy when it is ourselves.
Developing positive expectancy is a discipline. Because our thoughts are so powerful, it’s important to direct our thoughts towards positive expectancy. We can then declare good things over our future circumstances.
Proverbs 23:7 – ‘For as he thinks in his heart, so is he….’
So here are three easy steps to develop positive expectancy.
STEP 1
Learn to positively reflect on what has happened.
As I reflected on 2018, I was so encouraged to read my journals from last year and realise how much I’ve changed and how many positive things have happened in the last year.
Yes, there were hard things too. Big loses. But reflecting on how God has used those things for the best and thinking on what is yet to come as He continues to turn all those things to the good, is exciting.
This exercise produces an incredible amount of gratitude. Gratitude attracts Gods favour. Whatever has happened there is ALWAYS something we can be thankful for.
So, to help you look forward with positive expectancy for the next 6-12 months, first look back on the last year.
What were all the positive things that happened in 2018?
What did you accomplish that you wanted to?
What were the good surprises?
How did God has show up for you?
This all feeds your ability to carry positive expectancy alongside developing your testimony.
Revelation 12:11 – ‘And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony;..’
This exercise will attract positive things to happen to you again.
STEP 2
Adopt a ‘celebration attitude’.
Celebrate all good things that happen, even the small things. This focuses you on positive outcomes not negative ones. It trains your brain to see the positive not the negative.
Be ready to receive surprises, good ones. Be ready for change, big change, good change!
Adopt a ‘see what happens’ attitude that means, ‘let’s see what positive outcome happens with this’, not negative.
Believe God is good and wants to bless you!
STEP 3
A great coaching exercise we do in some for our workshops is to project ourselves into the future one year ahead and imagine we have had the most amazing year.
Do this then reflect on the year retrospectively. Write a letter to yourself, dated exactly one year in advance of today’s date. In this letter to yourself detail all the incredible things that have happened.
Write about the aha moments, major breakthroughs, personal and professional goals you have met. Include detail about relationships that have grown, new friends, new connections and new openings that have come your way.
Now read your letter. What surprises you?
This next year has the potential of being the best one you can imagine.
Developing positive expectancy in your life will grow your faith, your connection with our good and loving heavenly father and will align you with the fullness of your purpose.
Great tips and advice to help bring focus and intention to having a hope filled year! thanks Tina