Are you battling a scarcity mindset?

Thanksgiving is done and we are now deep in the throes of the holiday season. No matter what you celebrate, you've likely gotten caught up in the festivities, joy, and overall anticipation of the celebrations to come.

Have you found yourself wondering if you're going to be able to give everyone what they want this year? Are you worried about running thin and not having enough for your basic needs? Have you contemplated declining invites to parties because you'd rather hold onto your precious resources instead of sinking them into a bunch of white elephant gifts?

This month on the 4word blog, we've discussed the scarcity mindset and how to combat it with an attitude of gratitude. Thanksgiving is primarily associated with gratitude, but in reality, being grateful is a feeling that should be a part of us year-round. Instead, many of us allow a scarcity mindset to take its place, which in turn cripples us and doesn't allow us to live the full lives we should.

I wanted to share some insight from Kim King, a 4word woman and author, and allow her words to open your eyes to the grip the scarcity mindset might have on you.

Where do you think the scarcity mindset came from? 

Kim: I think a major contributor to this mindset is the growth in fear in our culture. Two events have contributed to that. The first is 9/11 and subsequent events that have shaken our sense of safety and security. For some, the recession in 2007 was that event. The second factor contributing to this is the rapid rate of change. Human beings generally don’t like change. Change makes us anxious and insecure. I think these and our own personal experience of loss contribute to a level of anxiety that most of us are unaware of. Sometimes the scarcity mindset is related to a deep belief that we are not enough. I think most people carry this belief to some degree. As a result, we desire to fit in, belong, appear successful to meet our need to be enough.

The opposite of the scarcity mindset is a grateful acknowledgement of the abundant life we have in Christ. Can “abundance” ever be a negative idea, though?

Kim: Abundance does not necessarily mean an abundance of material possessions or money or the things the world offers as signs of successful living. We are designed by our Creator to find the greatest joy, peace and satisfaction in life with Christ. 

For someone struggling with a scarcity mindset, what advice would you have to help them shift into a more generous frame of mind? 

Kim: The practice of gratitude helps one clearly see provision and more. But to grow in generosity is to grow in faith rather than in fear. A scarcity mindset is really fear; a fear that our provision won’t be there for us. As with other areas of faith in our lives, we just need to take that next step. Give a gift larger than one has before and continue to grow. 

Making a Giving Plan is encouraged. Like most things that are important that we want to ensure gets done, we need a written plan in order for us to be intentional and accountable. I create one at the beginning of the year for my giving that year. This plan can be a good time to set a stretch goal. 

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