Do you ever wake up and the first thought in your head is, “I didn’t get enough sleep”? In the next few hours that thought may be followed by others like:
- I don’t have enough time to do the breakfast dishes.
- I wish I had enough money to afford suits like her.
- I never have enough energy to get through my day.
- I’m not thin enough, or assertive enough, or …
It’s all too easy to fall into this “not enough” mentality and spend our days worrying, complaining or giving excuses about not having enough of whatever it is we think we need to be happy and successful.
We have a scarcity mindset.
We seem programmed to focus on what we don’t have, or didn’t accomplish. Not surprising, since that is what the media and advertising are drumming into our heads day and night. But it’s a skewed way to view the world.
The Bible tells us that we have a Creator God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and calls the stars by name. A BIG God. A powerful God.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! Eph 3:20a (MSG)
And throughout the Bible, that very God promised to supply our needs.
What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Matthew 6:31-33 (MSG)
So I think its pretty clear the scarcity mindset is not how we as Christians are supposed to live.
How do we combat a scarcity mentality?
By following Jesus’ advice to “not being so preoccupied with getting, so we can respond to God’s giving.” In other words, rejecting the mindset of scarcity and choosing a mindset of gratitude and contentment.
Contentment is not putting up with something less than ideal. Contentment is not measured by how much we have, or don’t have. Contentment is not based on income or demographics or status.
Contentment is an attitude. A choice. As Paul expressed it:
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12 (NIV)
But what is the secret of being content?
I don’t have a sure-fire answer, but I know one way to remain in an attitude of contentment is to be mindful about gratitude. Gratitude focuses our eyes on the good stuff we do have rather than looking with jealousy at the stuff we don’t. The more we see the many blessing we already have, the easier it is to be content.
The next time you find “not enough” thoughts running through your head, remember to stop and find something to be thankful about instead.
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