5 Hacks to Stay Abundant, High Energy and Goal Oriented
It’s raining. Again.
When you read those three words, what comes to mind for you?
Do they make your heart sing and your spirits rise? Does your mind go to your grass, flowers or garden with a gladness for the growth that will come? To calmness and appreciation of the pit pit pat against your windows?
Conversely, do they make your heart drop and your spirits sag? Does your mind go to puddles to traverse in heels and hosiery, or traffic that jams and tempers that fray? To outdoor activities that must be postponed?
Both mindsets are equally valid given your circumstances you might think.
Truth is though – one response will serve you and one response will enslave you. One thought pattern will lead to lightheartedness and joy, the other will lead to frustration and feelings of anxiousness.
As in all of life, God has established a rule that you get to choose.
It seems that abundance thinking and scarcity thinking are so obvious that they don’t need to be explained. Yet, humor me for a moment as I peel back the onion a bit.
I remember one of my first studies into the abundance and scarcity paradigms. I was in Toronto attending a business mastermind and the host, Dan Sullivan, had prepared a module to impress the difference between the two thought patterns for the group to review and discuss.
He had prepared a nice graphic to accompany his presentation but I remember that he led off with “Gratitude starts the spiral of abundance.”
Abundance thinking is characterized by the idea that ‘I have all I need.’ That there is plenty for everyone – plenty of money, health, energy, relationships, resources and more. In Philippians, 4:5-7, we are told to be “anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Notice in that verse, we are instructed to be at peace, not anxious. We are led to ask through prayer that is at its core, thankful, for the things we desire from our loving God. There’s a saying you’ve probably heard before: Let go and let God.
This is a beautiful way to lead your life and to pursue your goals, crafted and laid so expectantly before the great God of the universe. Living life with an abundance paradigm means that you know the source of your creativity, compassion, love, confidence, patience, peace – all of these and more, is your inheritance through Christ.
Contrast the abundance paradigm with a scarcity paradigm. Going back to Dan’s presentation, he shared that envy begins the spiral of scarcity.
Isn’t that interesting. I thought maybe poverty would get the nod here but it’s actually envy. What is envy. Envy is defined in part as a resentful longing inspired by someone else’s possessions, qualities or luck.
In the bible, it is characterized with some other sins of the flesh we avoid at all costs, like hatred, rage, selfish ambition, sexual immorality, impurity, discord, etc. For a complete list, you can read Galatians 5:19 – 21. The point is, envy is at the root of scarcity thinking, as it lays a foundation for increasing feelings of poverty and lack.
Hmm. When contrasted like this, the choice seems clear – choose abundance!
Truth be told though – in our human flesh, we can all be prone to bouts of scarcity thinking and that is why we must decide every day to choose abundance. We must ask God to guard our hearts and minds. Years ago, one of my co-workers, someone I held in high esteem, mentioned that in this life, there are spiritual battles. Actual battles in the spiritual realm, he said.
As he described a recent incident in his life, it sounded almost like a science fiction movie. I was fascinated by his account, but scared too. But – God has equipped us for these battles with His word.
One of my favorite verses to handle feelings of fear, insecurity or lack – all part of the scarcity equation is this: “But God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7.
Don’t you love that? We need not feel fearful, anxious or envious. God Himself designed us, equipped us, with power. With love. With a sound mind. We can approach every day knowing we do so from a place of abundance, empowerment, comfort and disciplined thought.
In my world, there are 5 ways, 5 hacks, if you will --that overcome scarcity thinking and place me on the path of abundance. This is awesome because there is an energy, a vibe to a person who habitually lives in a state of abundance that is very attractive.
I believe abundance-oriented people have a shine, a way about them that put others into a better place when around them. For myself, I much prefer to be around someone who is firmly rooted in abundance that someone rooted in a poverty or scarcity mindset.
So let’s go.
First, since gratitude starts the spiral of abundance, live your days out in a spirit of gratitude. Notice the simple pleasures of this life and thank God and where appropriate, your fellow humans, for them. The recent events in the world have really borne this out with me. I am grateful now to walk around and see other’s faces, to catch a smile from a fellow jogger, to have a smiling barista hand over a steamy cup of coffee. God has been generous beyond measure to us and it is beyond good to give Him generous praise.
Next, if you want an abundant life, know that work, yes work, is God’s pathway to it. Now, before you go all – ‘but I wanna retire’ or ‘but I’m already retired’ on me, know this: there is still work for you to do, regardless of whether or not you answer to a boss other than yourself.
Work takes many forms and looks different for each individual. Just remember, Colossians 3:17 tells us “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
The third hack is to give. If you want more abundance in your life, go out of your way to make others the recipients of abundance at your hands, knowing full well that what you sow, you will reap. If you want more money, then give money to others or to causes or to your church. If you desire an abundance of free time, then give more of the time you have in service to others. If you want more love, more compassion, more optimism – whatever you desire to have in abundance – start out by giving it away. And then watch as it boomerangs right back atcha!
Next, check your heart. Not at the doctor’s office. Examine your own heart. Hold a very compassionate visit with yourself and scan your heart. Is there anything there that you need to acknowledge, to forgive, to release? Just ensure that you are not putting up any unwitting barriers to the free flow of abundance that God has in store for you. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” Check your heart!
Finally, but perhaps most importantly, resolve to heed the call to pray, and pray unceasingly. A young mentor of mine spoke to me about this. She pointed out that God knows our every need, already. I mean, He’s God. He also has promised that he has made provision for all that we need. He establishes our plans and He directs our steps and he makes our path straight. [Proverbs 16:3, 16:9, 3:6-7] But as she mentioned, He does this when we invite Him. And we invite Him through our prayers. So be in constant, thankful, prayerful communication throughout all your days with our great God, our God of abundance, the one who sent His son on our behalf. That one.
My friend, let go of any remnants of scarcity. Renounce it, rebuke it.
Instead, use these five hacks and enjoy this abundant life. 😊
