Recently, there has been a growing desire for a shift in my thought life. Growing up, I was part of a lower middle-class family. I lived with my grandparents. I had food and clothing and shelter. Then, my grandfather passed away when I was in 5th grade. My grandmother’s health began to decline. One of my uncles came to live with us to help out. It was the beginning of a downward spiral. He spoke a lot of life-draining words that all seemed to land on me not being good enough and that I would never have anything good in life.
Even now in my late 30s, his words still ring out loud and clear. Along with those words spoken over me, there were numerous times when we didn’t have enough. We didn’t have enough money. We didn’t have enough food.
I often try to pretend things aren’t having an effect on me when obviously they are. I learned to live in this poverty mindset where there is never enough and worse yet, no hope of that ever changing. It’s a pretty exhausting way to live.
When the Lord saved me, His Spirit took up residence inside of me. All that is Him is good and all that is good now resides inside of me. My logic understands that, but my heart has taken a long time to catch up. Sometimes, I’m not sure that it has.
I have this one set of friends who are extremely versed in conveying the character of God. One of the phrases that glides off of their tongues ever so effortlessly: There is always more. It’s simple enough, right? But, do I believe it? Do you believe it?
More often than not, I’m not convinced that I do. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is not lacking and is lavishly generous to us. And still, I often live in such a way that completely contradicts that. I doubt. I worry. I fear. I speak hopelessness.
Some of the areas in my life where this poverty mindset has taken root are in my calling, identity, talent, skill, and my finances. I am not sure how I began to believe the lie that God doesn’t have enough of anything to go around. I subconsciously believe that if someone has something, then there is none left for me. I am sure you can agree this thought isn’t intentional. I’m sure you don’t even recognize this thought when it occurs.
But the Father has been gently convicting me of my perspective because His Word shouts to the opposite of all that this poverty mindset whispers.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
The first four words speak volumes. And God is able. He has every ability and inclination to do and to work and to supply. It is the nature of a good, loving, and faithful Father to do so. It doesn’t matter what we need or ask for, He can bless and provide abundantly. He opens the windows of Heaven. He pours out all that He has to overflow.
He longs for us to operate in full faith in His ability to be generous. His generosity is never dependent on our faithfulness, but His alone.
Comparison is the gift that keeps on giving, isn’t it? I look at the woman to my right and left and think she is making far better contributions to the world than I am, and I decide my gifts aren’t needed. I see her get an opportunity that I wanted, and I decide there are no more opportunities. I see her surrounded by those I’d like to be friends with, and I become jealous. I see her incredible gifts and talents and decide that mine aren’t good enough. Nonsense, right?
God created each one of us with such care and accuracy. He has positioned us in this time and this season for a specific purpose. There are gifts and callings that only you can fulfill. He has given each of us a measure of influence. We all have a small role to play within His great story. All of our gifts are needed and valuable to build His Kingdom. When we are good stewards of what He has entrusted to us, the more of God is readily available to us.
There is good news for those of you who feel as though you are never enough: you don’t have to be. Jesus has been and will always be more than enough. And in Him, there is always more.
My daughter’s father is emotionally, verbally and mentally abusive. I have made attempts to leave the relationship (even hiring a lawyer), but I seem to be unsuccessful. I’m working really hard to find the strength, but, if I am honest, I know that there is a small part of me that wants to stay. My head knows that I deserve better – that there is more than enough love in this word and beyond, but I am struggling. I would be grateful for your prayers for God’s wisdom, guidance and strength.
Father, Be with Elizabeth in this moment and in all the moments to come… surround her with Your love, protect her from this abuse, help her to trust You for the next steps in her life journey… give her strength to walk away, help her to know how precious and valuable she and her daughter are to You… thank You Father, in Jesus’ name…
Elizabeth,
Father – right now give Elizabeth a discerning heart & mind to know your will for their lives. Send her courage & strength to leave the abusive relationship. Make it known to her that she is loved beyond measure. Help her in this struggle between staying & leaving. Protect them both from the abuse. Guide her next steps & whisper love to her often.
Blessings
Father, You are good and faithful, loving and just. Hold Elizabeth close. Wrap her in Your promises. Give her a tangible vision of how You see her and the good future You have in store for her. Overwhelm her with Your peace, wisdom, direction and rescue. Holy Spirit, move in power and do what only You can do.
In Jesus’ Name
Amen
Elizabeth, keep me updated!
Elizabeth I lift you up in prayer. God I ask for you to provide Elizabeth with the strength and bravery for her to put herself first so she can escape this abuse. Let her see her self worth and carry her away from danger and this situation. Bless her God and map the pathway for her freedom. Bring everything she needs to her fingertips to make this move. Above all shower her with love and keep her safe. I ask that her daughters father stops the abuse and let’s her go and that he will too get the help he needs. Amen
Karina
Your messages speak such truth into my heart. I often search your messages from the past to hear the truth that I desperately need over and over again. I have had paralyzing fear and doubt around my calling, identity, talent, skill and finances through out my life. I am starting to be able to stay in the moment, sometimes it is literally second by second, but I am learning to pause and breathe, choosing life affirming scriptures to carry me through the moments.
I had to chuckle briefly. I recently went through a break-up of a long term relationship. In those first few days I was terrified that he was more godly and therefore would get God’s favor, leaving me out in the cold. While I’ve been able to move on, this morning’s message reminds me that God isn’t either/or. There is a plan and purpose for our good. God will orchestrate our lives and abundantly provide. Thank you again!
Kim, you are too kind! Thank you for reading!
Father, You do have a good and great plan for each of your children. May Kim lean into Your presence and follow Your leading. Be her peace in all things, in all ways, at all times. You have not given her a spirit of fear, but of power. I bless her with boldness in seeking out Your truth and will You will not fail her or disappoint her. Fill her heart with peace and joy to experience the more of You.
In Jesus’ Name
Amen
I don’t really know at what point in my life I started having the same poverty mindset as what you’ve been struggling with, Karina. I struggle with it too. On a regular basis. Maybe it stems from unhealed hurts of rejections I’ve suffered from others or it’s a combination of factors. I had a falling-out with people in my church a few years back and they ended up closing up my account that had all the money I’d been living on so I was left with only my personal bank account. Ever since then I’ve been paranoid about “running out of money.” That experience scarred me for life. That’s why instead of being a “penny-pincher” I’ve been borderline stingy about my money: not being generous or trusting at all with my money. As it is I just moved to a new area and I haven’t even hardly bought food for fear of not having enough money for bills, etc. I don’t make enough money to live on but somehow God’s sustained me. I still get resentful and fearful and compare myself to others I see on Facebook who have been single moms or even fulltime moms with the house, the kids, the great husband AND all the extras and I ask God why He cares more about their financial success than he does me: I’m single, husband-less and don’t make enough, esp for all the little extras like a Starbucks everyday, etc. It’s really easy for me to have this poverty mindset. I think it’s harder for others to understand because they’ve never had to experience the things we both had to go through. Thank you for your transparency and honesty, Karina. I’ve been resorting to doing things that don’t please God as an act of rebellion and anger against Him for “not meeting my needs.”Could you please pray I’ll be delivered from this poverty mindset and my sinful indulgence? Thank you.
Jessica, thank you so much for your transparency!
Father, I command the lie that You won’t provide for her to be gone. I bless her mind with the truth that You are a good Father who showers His children good gifts. Surprise her with Your favor and provision. I bless her soul to hope and trust in You. I curse all trauma in her life. I bless her soul with expectancy that You will provide in abundance. Fill her with joy about her future!
In Jesus’ Name
Amen
Keep me updated Jessica!
Jessica, the Apostle Paul counseled, “In all things, give thanks.” That (to me) means in every situation, whether in plenty or need, health or illness, through good times or bad. It is with this mindset that a Thankful Heart will overcome some of those fears about poverty and lack. And it is this very mindset that has gotten me through the last 15 years, living on just my modest salary. Some things I have learned along the way are: 1) As long as I am a good steward of what God has given me, He will continue to make ends meet, sometimes through miraculous and unexpected blessings (including people); 2) Pay TV, a land line and internet are NOT necessities, but having affordable, unlimited data on my cell phone is sufficient; eating out and treating myself must be the exception, rather than the rule; 3) Don’t envy the people who seem to “have everything”, because they have mind-blowing debt, in the form of credit cards and loans – live debt-free and enjoy peace of mind; 4) When an opportunity presents itself to share a few resources you have with another person in real need, do so humbly and prayerfully, trusting in God to multiply your sacrifice; 5) Hobbies and entertainment do not have to be expensive, and can be a wonderful way to bless others, whether your talents are cooking, quilting, house cleaning, or hiking, gardening, or photography; 6) DO NOT believe the lie that Satan plants in our minds that “you deserve” to have more money or a new car or a daily Starbucks coffee – that lie only serves to rob us of peace and joy, and our words become bitter and unfruitful; 7) Above all, build your relationship with God and your church family through thanksgiving, prayer, Bible Study, and ministry.
Right now we are renovating our kitchen–going to the walls on a room that has been both unlovely and inadequate for the entire 25 years we’ve lived in this house. This is so OUTSIDE my wheel house that I can barely breathe. Like you, my childhood was all about putting up and making do. And the idea of picking out the door handles and the color of the counter tops is completely surreal–and frightening!
This is, of course, a metaphor for the abundance that God wants embedded in my thinking.
And it’s a learning process, but so lovely to be on a journey with you AWAY from wrong thinking.
Michele,
I pray you get the kitchen you deserve. You have raised several boys in that house & now it’s time to enjoy your life. God is blessing you for all the great things you’ve done over the years. I believe we are all on a journey of learning to live in the excesses of His lavishness.
Blessings 🙂
Amen Michele!
I bless this renovation process to be smooth and easy. I bless your soul with joy and gratitude!
In Jesus’ Name
Amen
Karina,
Thank you for identifying “poverty mentality”; what a profound word painting. I was surprised to see it in my overflowing life of 61 years. I needed to put a finger on the source of restlessness and constant need for more that I experience more frequently than I’d like to admit. Your insights have been a blessing and a foothold.
In appreciation,
Shona
Amen Shona! Thank you for sharing!
I bless you with the more of God in your thoughts and heart. He is more than enough in every way!
In Jesus’ Name
Amen
Thank you for sharing this secret that we have locked away not wanting anyone to know about us. I’ve had this struggle for as long as I can remember. Many of us are ashame to voice it. Thank you for being my voice. Please pray for me because at time it is paralytic. The enemy use this weapon and many time I am wound deeply by it.
Yolanda,
First, you are not alone. We all battle with the enemy’s lie that he feeds us – that we are not enough. His flaming arrows hit us with guilt, shame, fear, anxiety, condemnation, insecurity, etc. I found that a good defense for when the enemy came after me (and he sure knew my week spots), I made an Emergency Kit of scripture that spoke to the lies he would zing at me. I wrote down individual scriptures on index cards that were the truth to combat the enemy’s lies. I won’t say that it was a once and done….it’s been years. But when the enemy tries to make be feel guilty, condemned, less than….I hit him with Romans 8:1. I even say it out loud because the enemy can’t read our minds, but at the name of Jesus he must flee. I had to keep practicing….each time the enemy hit me with his lies, I would pull another index card and speak the truth. I just lifted you up in prayer that you would not be paralyzed by the enemy. Jesus came so that you could have life and have it abundantly. Call on Him because through Him we are MORE than conquerors. We can’t do it alone. Coming alongside you and will be praying! Keep holding the lies up to the TRUTH. I have been paralyzed by the enemy, but this was one way He helped me get stronger. I also had to be treated for an anxiety disorder that the enemy preyed upon. He uses any foothold he can get, but Jesus is still stronger! Take hope!
Love and prayers,
Bev xo
Yolanda,
No one is alone in their struggles. We are here for you sweet sister!! You must put on the full armor of God to fight the flaming arrows the evil one throws at us. Have scripture ready to cite when those lies come & they will. I will be praying for you.
Father,
Help Yolanda fight the evil one. Lavish your love & grace on her. Guide her on ways to memorize scripture & vanquish the devil. Let her know she is not alone on her journey. We are here to help!
AMEN!
✝
Blessings
Yolanda, thank you for sharing!
I break every lie that God won’t provide. I bless you to know He is good and it is His delight to meet your needs and even desires. He loves you! Father, be her peace and sure foundation. May she bless you at every turn.
In Jesus’ Name
Amen
Karina,
If you hear lies long enough, you will begin to believe them. I always had that mentality that somehow I didn’t measure up and so I was always striving to try to prove myself, earn approval, be enough. Be enough of what? I wasn’t sure, but I kept at it. Like you, it took a LONG time to sink in that even if I did absolutely nothing, God would love me. I invited Jesus Christ into my life to be my Lord and Savior, because without Him….yes, we are incomplete. But with Him?? I can do ALL THINGS through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. Furthermore, without Him, I can do NOTHING. So really it all come down to Jesus. Because of His blood that covers me, I am perfect in ALL ways in God’s eyes. I love the words in the Bible that describe God – what He is and how He gives. He is good, filled with lovingkindness, long-suffering, kind, gentle, patient. He lavishes His love and grace upon us. His Son came so that we would have life and have it abundantly. He rejoices over us with singing. His love for us is furious. The path He leads us on is fragrant with lovingkindness. He purifies us from all unrighteousness. His love never ends. His grace is more than sufficient (it never runs out). I’ve learned, that when the “I’m not enough” lies come in, I need to hold them up to God’s TRUTH and if they don’t match up, then it’s time to choose to listen to the voice of TRUTH. Joining with you in kicking the poverty-stricken, less than mentality to the curb! In HIm we are victorious! Awesome post, Karina!
Amen! Thank you Bev!!! Glad to be on this journey together!
Karina! So proud of you. Such a great perspective shift. Now, let’s go live this out—with His help, for His glory, for our good, and for the good of others. 😉
Yes and Amen Katie!!! Let’s do this sister!!!
Same here!! Thanks for sharing – your truths juxtaposed against our similar mindsets & backgrounds have given me much comfort this morning. Thanks, again!!
Awe. Jessica, I’m so glad! Thank you for reading and sharing!!!
Great thought provoking word Karina. This past season of life that my family has been through, I feel, has left us with the very sense you have brought up in a lot of ways.
Thank you for listening to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and sharing your story. Very timely!
Thank you for sharing!
I bless your soul to believe the truth that God is good and that He will provide. May He bless you in supernatural and surprising ways!
In Jesus’ Name
Amen
I too struggle with this poverty mentality that God doesn’t have enough good stuff to go around and it is up to me to fix and control things i.e. To be good enough in order to obtain His favor, blessings and love for myself, my husband and our two college-aged kids. Trying to remember that everything doesn’t depend on me and get off this hamster wheel of anxiety. Prayers would be desperately welcome.
Denise, I bless you with the truth that God I good and will provide. I curse every lie that she’s been believing. You are faithful and loving. You have good in store for her and family. Remind her that You are her firm foundation.
In Jesus’ Name
Amen
Thank you; I needed that too. You are a blessing!
Karina, your words spoke to me. I tend to have this come up frequently, mostly due to my multiple illnesses that left me unable to work, many years ago, as a young mom and wife. I feel , still at times, my contributions, etc in my family and in this world are far from enough. Thank you for reminding me that, He IS enough….and he will make sure I have enough and I am enough in his eyes…
Dks, prayers for you and your family in this season….
Jen, thank you for sharing!
I bless your soul and mind to know that you are enough in Him. I curse all disease in your body. I command it to leave. I speak healing to your body. May every part of you work the way God designed it. Give her opportunities to walk out the fullness of her calling.
In Jesus’ Name
Amen
I have a devotional book coming out next week, and I am fighting this small thinking every day because I have a “smaller” publisher, not a big publisher. My platform is “smaller” and not huge.
I have worked hard for this and seen God do what I cannot do so I keep reminding myself, God’s got this! He doesn’t really care about author platforms. He cares about the messages in the book which go to the heart of our walk with God. I know He is more than enough and when I successfully fight the negativity that produces small thinking, then I can allow myself to be excited about what God is doing and will do with my book, First Breath of Morning.
Amen Kathy!
I bless you in this new season with confidence in God’s calling. He has given you a message for this time and generation. I bless you in your identity. God created on purpose, with purpose. Be filled with joy and expectancy and gratitude for God’s goodness and faithfulness.
In Jesus’ Name
Amen
There you go reading my mail again, lol
I believe there are more of us out there than we know.
It’s human nature to compare what we have – to what we don’t have or to what others have, or where we are – in comparison to where we want to be, or where someone else is. We long to know that we are doing just as good, if not better than others. That we are making a difference too.
What are Great Reminder that we each individually have something to offer, some are to contribute that is unique to us alone. That our god-given abilities, gifts and talents are needed to impact our world. That is so key in not becoming stuck in what can quickly and easily become a stumbling block if we are not careful to “stay in our own lane” and run the race ALONG SIDE one another.
Amen Evelyn! So good! Glad we’re in this together!
Karina,
There was so much beauty and depth in your words. Thank-you
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Thank you Penny!!!
Blessings to you!!!
Karina,
This world screams for big platforms, much doing, & look at all I’ve done. God doesn’t care about all that. He looks to the heart of the person. You hit the nail on the head with this “There are gifts and callings that only you can fulfill. He has given each of us a measure of influence. We all have a small role to play within His great story.” Don’t feel like what you’re doing doesn’t matter. It matters to God – each prayer, meal cooked for someone else, book written, hug, etc. It is so easy to think we aren’t or don’t have enough. Those are just lies the enemy wants you to believe. We are more than enough-we are overcomers through the shed blood of Christ. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We must remember this: “Jesus has been and will always be more than enough. And in Him, there is always more.” He has a storehouse full of good things to give us. Let’s partake of them. Enjoy the richness that only Christ can give you!
Blessings 🙂
Hallelujah Beth!!! Thanks for sharing!!! So good!!!
Thanks so much Karina. I love the focus on the verse “And God is able,” I seem to quickly skim over that part to get to the rest of the verse and those words bring such peace and assurance.
This speaks volumes to me right now. My husband of 30 years has just been diagnosed with stage 2 Ulcerative Colitis. And he also has artery disease in his legs. I was praying the other day (talking to God) and asking him to give me strength through this journey of the unknown and stopped to think. God is the great healer! But do big miracles like that happen to people like us? Are we good enough? I know our God provides and that small miracles happen around us everyday. But not the big ones like healing my husband. It is that extra leap of faith I must lack. I know that through him all things are possible but I still struggle with the whole concept of being worthy of that big miracle. Thank you for the read today. Have a blessed day everyone.
Thank you for your encouraging words, Karina. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
I really appreciate your post Karina as well as all the comments. I too have been battling the poverty spirit that stems from my childhood. I’ve made some progress but realized today after reading your post & the comments that even if I’m believing God to provide I’m believing for just enough to get by and not His abundance. As I confess this to the Lord I’m asking Him to speak into this.
Blessings to all of you!
Miss Karina,
I am almost in tears over the encouragement found in your loving, honest, raw words. I felt God’s hand on my shoulder as He brought this post before me…. speechless. Your heart is so pure and so beautiful and your words are always truly a gift. Thank you for letting GOD use you! He is doing an amazing work in and through you. I pray your day is blessed.