Does God want us to have a positive expectancy about 2021? Yes, He does. 

Hope is the confident, joy-filled expectation that good is coming. Without hope, we will be regularly tired, fatalistic, passive, survivalist, and impulsive in our decision making. Certainly, it is risky to get our hopes up about the future because if we do, we take the chance of being disappointed.

There are two ways to live regarding hope. We can live a hopeless life and never be disappointed, or we can live a hope-filled life with occasional disappointments. It is this second option that great influencers take, and it is what will motivate them to make the radical, life-launching declarations below. 

1. In 2021 I will experience the greatest joy, greatest victories, and greatest accomplishments of my life (so far) – Believing anything less would not be consistent with these truths.

• Hope is the belief that the future will be better than the present, and we have the power to make it so. “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Philippians 3:13).
• My future is as bright as the promises of God, and this is why we can incessantly speak hope about our future. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). 
• God’s plan is for us to experience increased glory. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18). 
• “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18). 
• “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7).

2. 2021 will be a year when Romans 8:28 manifests in my life like never before – “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28). If it is not good yet, God is not done working. As you declare this, I suggest you specifically speak out different happenings and seasons of your life turning to good in 2021 like never before. 

3. I will be a supernatural relational healer in 2021 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). “ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18). God is empowering us to bring healing and unity to relationships. He will break down the dividing walls in politics, race, age, and economic status through us in great ways. Romans 5:20 says, “Where sin abounds, grace abounds much more.” Whatever the effects of sin are, there is a grace available for us to walk in that will overcome it. 

4. In 2021 I will walk in mind-blowing courage, personal growth, and love – Concerning these three qualities, consider this passage. “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:1-5). It takes courage to admit we are wrong, to get a plan to overcome our negative tendencies, and to keep a heart connection with the important people in our lives. 

5. 2021 will be an astonishing year in fulfilling my life purpose – An evangelist I know, shares this good news regularly: “Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” We all have a plan and purpose that is unique and significant. I was greatly impacted by a quote from a recent Bill Johnson sermon: “The more focused you are on the purpose for your life, the less it will take to encourage you.” 2021 is a year of clarified assignments for our lives, our families, and the organizations we are connected to. 

These are five life-launching declarations. Remember, the purpose of our words is not just to describe our lives, but to change our lives. These declarations will give God much to work with to bring blessing and increase in 2021. I challenge you to say them every day this month to start your year off by strengthening these powerful beliefs. 

My book, Declarations, gives thirty biblical reasons we make declarations, plus it answers common objections to why people may be hesitant to speak faith statements filled with positive expectations for their future. You can find it here.