Scarcity to Abundance
We have never had much money. We got married when I was 20 and still in college, and then kids followed soon after. We have always had everything that we needed, but there were many years that we didn’t have much, if any, disposable income. With that, came some great lessons : how to be thrifty, the appreciation of a full pantry, how to make a house feel like a home with very little money, and quite honestly, how to enjoy life without money. However, one of the most toxic things that I inherited during that season was a scarcity mindset.
A scarcity mindset is when you believe resources are limited. A scarcity mindset causes hyperfixation, leads to short-term coping instead of long-term problem-solving, and increases jealousy and stress. - UW Medicine
I believe that one of the hardest things to break out of when you are in a position of lack is this scarcity mindset. Instead of making decisions that will get you where you want to be, you make decisions only regarding the here and now — despite what the long-term outcome will be. It’s this deep fear that there won’t be enough, so instead of being a good steward of what one does have, it is easy to either hoard, or buy excessively in this fear that the money will run out and then when you need something you won’t have the ability to get it.
I lived in the latter camp. I would often buy more than we would need out of this mindset of, well what if we need it later and don’t have the money to buy it. There were times where I would buy crap because it was a “good deal” and we would possibly need it one day. Even in the moment, I knew that I shouldn’t be spending our money, but I was so caught in this cycle and mindset of making decisions solely out of “survival” and fear.
Last week in church we were talking about the Feeding of the 5000. The remarkable miracle where Jesus took 5 loaves of bread and 3 fish and fed 5000 people — with some to spare. The disciples brought their “not enough” to Jesus, and he made it more than enough. They realized that without him they couldn’t do this, but with him they could do the unimaginable.
I have seen the Lord turn our “not enough” into more than we could have ever hoped for time and time again. He has provided for us in very tangible, and very personal ways, and every time he does it, he reminds me, very gently, that it is only possible with Him. The times I have been able to turn outwards, and focus on living life out of abundance, as opposed to scarcity is when the true magic happened.
This doesn’t only apply to finances, this can apply to time, resources, relationships, skills, etc. We all have something to contribute, but it is up to us if we are willing to hold it out there and see what He decides to do with it. It has definitely taken time to get to this place, but it is exciting to hold something before Him and see what He is going to do with it. I guarantee you it is going to be so much better than anything I would have done alone.
I don’t know what this might look like for you, but maybe it could simply be saying “yes” to something that you have felt a nudging towards, investing in a relationship, or opening up your home for something. My hope for you is that you are at least curious enough to find out, because I’m sure it’s something beautiful.
This print is such a beautiful representation of the Feeding of the 5000. It currently hangs in my home in an effort to remind me every day that all He is asking of us today is our “not enough,” and He will handle the rest.