Do You Have a Scarcity Mindset or an Abundance Mindset?
“In your name they sing joyfully all the day; they rejoice in your righteousness. You are their majestic strength; by your favor our horn is exalted. Truly the Lord is our shield, the Holy One of Israel, our king!” (Psalm 89:17-19).
We may have all heard the terms “scarcity mindset” and “abundance mindset,” but have we given much thought to which mindset we tend to gravitate toward in our daily life? This simple idea will determine much of our happiness and sense of personal peace, so it is worth taking time to think about.
A scarcity mindset is the attitude that there is never enough; that the glass is half empty; and that somehow, in some way, we will be let down. We fundamentally believe there is never enough money, time, energy, friends, happiness, or things we value most. This belief is based on fear and creates a continual stream of doubt, uncertainty, unhappiness, and skepticism.
On the other hand, an abundance mindset is the attitude that we will have enough of what we need and that if we come to God and ask for something, He will invite us into a relationship with Him and bless our obedience to His will. If we ask Him for a fish, He will not give us a snake! If we ask for an egg, He will not give us a scorpion (Luke 11:11-13)! Our God is faithful and provides for us. This abundance mindset is based on a trusted relationship with Him and creates a continual stream of positivity, optimism, hopefulness, and security.
Which mindset would you prefer? And what might you guess is the outcome of each way of thinking?
Research by Karen Lawson, M.D., of the University of Minnesota, demonstrates the importance of positive thinking and the undesirable effects on the body, such as disease and premature death, of negative thinking.
In addition, the Scriptures, particularly the Psalms, explain the goodness of God that is abundantly available to us in our most dire and seemingly impossible situations. He is never far away, always willing to help, and lavishly generous to those who are obedient to Him.
That does not mean, however, that we can expect that every situation we face will be easy. Still, we can trust God to help us through difficult times, relying on His power and His faithfulness to face our challenges. In a 2024 Catholic Women in Business article, Amber Apple explains the importance of accepting there will be times in life when we must rely on the grace of God and His goodness to see us through.
We must also realize there are often more important tasks to accomplish than chores like dishes and laundry. We must also make time for prayer, daily Mass, and Adoration—all activities that take us to a deeper level in our spiritual life, which help us manage the unexpected trials we face in life. Erica Matthews, CFP®, explains that when trials come into our life, we can rely on our relationship with God to guide us through, so that from every experience, we will find something of value.
As Catholic businesswomen, we must commit to growing in faith, realizing that a consistent belief in God must inform every aspect of our personal and professional life if we hope to find peace. We must realize there is no panacea and approach each day with an openness to God’s will for us and our life. We can actively work to facilitate an abundance mindset through prayer, recognize the temptation to gravitate toward a scarcity mindset, and consciously push away from it, understanding that it is not a mindset we want to entertain. Rather, we must cultivate a mindset that rests on the faithfulness of God and His abundant grace to help us approach each day with confidence and conviction.
Move away from fear that lingers and causes you to doubt your ability to rely on God’s goodness and His abundant love for you. Move away from the pessimism that threatens to bubble up the moment you open your eyes in the morning, causing you to fight against it all day. Move away from the doubt that is not of God, because all things are possible for Him (Matthew 19:26).
Enter into the promise presented by positive and hopeful messages from our faith and Jesus’ assurance we will have everything we need when we follow Him. Enter into the discipleship and mission our Catholic Christian faith calls us to, as personal witnesses to a life of holiness and abundance. This is the core message of our faith, and it is ours to embrace or reject.
4 Simple Steps to Develop an Abundance Mindset:
Recognize when your brain fires a negative thought, and challenge it immediately. The more we recognize and stop negative thoughts when they begin, the fewer negative thoughts will emerge in our brain. (Neurons that fire together, wire together.)
Say positive affirmations throughout the day. If you can, look in the mirror and say them like you believe them, as if they have already happened.
Refuse to engage in negative talk about anything, including politics, family issues, or work challenges. Believe that God has all things in hand.
Surround yourself with positive, uplifting people. There will be like-minded people in Heaven. Bring the Kingdom of God into every situation you face.
May God bless you all today as you choose an abundance mindset!
Kate Walsh-Soucheray is a wife of 42 years, a mother of three adult, married children, and grandmother of six beautiful, active grandchildren. She is a former Catholic high school Religion teacher and a former Christian Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Dr. Walsh-Soucheray writes a monthly column for the Catholic Spirit, the Archdiocesan newspaper of Minneapolis and St. Paul, called Simple Holiness. She is now retired and writes and speaks for Catholic women’s groups, Cana Dinners, and leads retreats for Catholic groups about integrating holiness into our everyday lives. Find her daily reflection and encouragement for Catholic women on LinkedIn.