Lack Mentality

Lack Mentality

By Eden K. Simeon

Lack mentality is the mindset that you do not have enough of some type of resource, whether it be time or food. This is also called a scarcity mindset. It can stem from traumas you experienced in childhood when you didn’t have enough of a particular resource. When you hold on to these fears, you bring that mentality into your adulthood. Right now, I’m on a journey of surrendering, having humility to our God, and trying to be open to what He wants me to learn. He has shown me some things about myself that He wants me to change. I have also considered myself a frugal person. I always try to save money and use my time wisely. Recently, He has shown me that I have been operating in a scarcity mindset with my frugality. When we are in a scarcity or lack mentality mindset, we show our Creator that we do not have faith that He will provide for us. In the Bible, He educates us about lack mentality. When God is leading the Israelites from slavery to the promised land, He feeds them manna. Manna is the bread of life that rains down from heaven. God gives Moses and Aaron specific instructions for the manna. The Israelites are not to keep it overnight because He provides it every morning. Also, they are supposed to collect extra on the sixth day because He doesn’t want them working on the Sabbath. The first error that the Israelites make is trying to collect extra. The following day, the manna spoiled, and it had maggots. The next issue is they try to collect it on Sabbath, disobeying His instructions. He didn’t provide any for them on the Sabbath; the ground was dry. Their scarcity mindset caused them to try to hoard extra food and collect it on the days that he didn’t specify. Where our Father leads us, He will provide for us if we allow Him.

If you are open to listening, He will shed light on different aspects of your life. Through His guidance in reading different Bible passages and videos, He has shed light on these aspects of my life. When you become aware of an issue, that is Him shedding light on a problem that he wants you to change. A scarcity mindset can be difficult to change when you have had to go without certain resources throughout your life. Educating ourselves helps us regain our power and improves our faith in Him.

Examples of Lack Mentality

Here are some ways He has shown me that I was operating from a lack mentality mindset.

Failing to trim my hair regularly. I exhibited lack mentality because I feared they would cut “too much” of my hair. Refusing to get my hair trimmed regularly showed that I didn’t believe it would grow back. When we trim our hair regularly, it shows growth, and we have healthy strands. If we allow dead ends to remain, they cause breakage throughout our hair, causing thinning due to fragility. If my hair showed any growth, I would hold on to it as if to say it wouldn’t grow next month. But I noticed that when I would trim my hair sooner, it was healthier and showed the length I was retaining.

Overeating is a way that He showed me I was in a scarcity mindset. When I was full, I would continue to eat past that point, sometimes even to the point that I was miserable. My weight had ballooned up to 310 pounds. He called me to fast allowing me to lose 180 pounds. He showed me that I was idolizing food and using it to soothe myself rather than for nourishment. If you have difficulty skipping a meal or missing a meal even when you are not hungry, it shows our Father that you are worried about when your next meal will come to you. Our brains and stomachs have a twenty-minute lag in time. Eating up to eighty percent full allows your brain to catch up so you will not over-extend yourself.

Refusing to tip others when they provide a service for you. He showed me that I was refusing to show gratitude towards others for offering a service to me. If I refuse to tip, I’m failing to pass on blessings that he has bestowed upon me, blocking the energy flow of money that can potentially come my way. He guided me to a job of service. There would be times that I didn’t receive a tip. He reminded me of the times that I didn’t tip others. Those blessings must be passed on to continue to flow into my life. Hence, why tithing is essential whether it is to your community or your church.

Holding on to too much clutter. Having too much stuff shows our Creator that you do not require anything. How can you continue to receive if you already have everything you need, especially if you cannot use the items anymore? I had held on to clothing I could not wear for years just because I wanted to keep them. He showed me that I needed to pass it along to someone else who could benefit from the items now. Also, there could be times when people who do not necessarily care for you give you something. That negative energy can also influence your life and block the flow of blessings into your life.

Gatekeeping information that can be beneficial to others. When you do not share the wisdom He has provided, it can be considered a type of theft. The yoga principle of Asteya, not stealing, is one of the five principles of yoga. When God provides you with information, it’s to share and educate others. Let's say you started a business. Your friend has also shown interest in starting a business and would like your assistance. They want you to point them in the right direction to start their business. Instead of doing that, you become evasive and make it challenging to provide them with the information. You may even feel threatened by them asking. Yes, they can create a business without you, but what is the harm of helping them? God provided you with the information necessary by guiding you to the place to find it. This is the same as whether it is a physical item or wisdom.

Continuing relationships that no longer benefited me—relationships He told me didn’t help my growth. Holding on to these relationships meant that I didn’t believe more meaningful relationships were available. So, when you are holding on to relationships that are not beneficial or do not match your growth, you are essentially showing a lack mentality or scarcity mindset blocking you from more suitable people in your life.

Receiving government assistance or having credit cards. When you receive government assistance, you have decided to rely on another entity besides Him to provide you with your necessities. With credit cards, you are essentially living outside of what you can provide for yourself. These types of things are considered worldly, and He’s not a fan of them.

Cultivating Abundance

The problem with a scarcity mindset is not always easily solved, especially if that is the only mindset you have known. Practicing a mindset of abundance opens you up to receiving from our Creator. An abundance mindset is the thought that resources are available to you and that our Creator has made more than enough for everyone. You can cultivate abundance in many ways. Practicing a mindset of abundance will allow Him to bless your life significantly.

Sharing with others. Start passing that blessing on to others, whether information or a snack. This will show our Creator that you have faith that He will continue to provide for you when you help others. He says to us in the Bible, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Practicing a mindset of gratitude. It is so easy to get in the mindset of being ungrateful. We often show this by complaining about what we have or the people we have in our lives. We get caught up in the rat race of life. We fail to realize those are the same people or situations we once prayed for. Now that we have them, we have become numb to the blessings they have provided for us. Cultivating a mindset of gratitude each morning by listening to music, meditating, or saying your prayers keep us in remembrance.

Volunteering our time. This is an excellent way of putting ourselves in the remembrance of others who may be in need. Sometimes, we become involved in our lives to realize that there are other people with worse conditions than ours. This will keep you in the mindset of counting the blessings He has graciously provided. There are food banks, homeless shelters, and retirement communities that allow you to serve others the way Jesus Christ served others.

Ground yourself daily. Journaling, walking outside, yoga, or meditating can decrease any fear or anxiety you may be exhibiting creating the space for lack mentality to grow. They help place your mind at ease, putting you in connection with the Holy Spirit or your inner self.

Cultivating a mindset of abundance has been a difficult process for me. Every so often, the scarcity mindset shows itself in the smallest tasks that I complete. I remind myself that where our Creator leads, He will provide. I pray and push through those feelings the best way I can, thanking Him for bringing them to my attention so that I will release them when I feel safe enough to do so.