As directors of pro-life pregnancy centers, the weight of responsibility can often feel overwhelming. Balancing the needs of the community with limited resources, in the midst of changing laws and a worsening economy is not a task for the faint of heart. What once seemed like a position of blessing can quickly turn into a heavy burden if we allow a mindset of scarcity to set in.
We don’t mean for this to happen, but it does. All of a sudden we are bogged down, attacked on all sides, things are breaking, long trusted staff members move on, donations begin to diminish and because we are already exhausted, true weariness sets in. I have spoken to countless directors over the past months who report that their centers are struggling with staffing and financial needs. A few have even poured their hearts out because they, themselves are battling weariness, feeling alone and feel they are on the verge of defeat. Friends, I have been there myself; too many times to count actually, and here is my best advice: Don’t give up, shift your perspective.
If the enemy can't stop you, he will try everything in his power to slow you down, to make you weary and then in that low moment he will whisper lies. He will point out all the places that you are lacking to shift your mind away from thanksgiving and God’s kingdom of superabundance.
Identifying the Poverty Mindset
The poverty mindset is characterized by thoughts of “not enough”; not enough money, not enough time, not enough staff, not enough donors. This negative mindset can stifle innovation, hinder goal-setting, and at times can even limit the scope of our prayers.
When we constantly focus on what we lack, we lose sight of the provisions God has already blessed us with and inadvertently place limits on what He can do through what we already have. This mindset can cause us to hesitate in trying new things, shy away from setting ambitious goals, and even restrict the boldness of our prayers. We start to believe that we are perpetually constrained by our circumstances and doubt that things can get better. It’s at this point that many will begin to wonder, “Am I the problem?” or worse, “Have I failed everyone?”
God’s Perspective on Provision
The Bible consistently reminds us of God’s abundant provision and sovereignty. Psalm 50:10 declares, “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” This verse underscores that God owns everything and is capable of meeting every need. He is our protector and provider, the Creator of all things and He is certainly able to create abundance from our perceived poverty.
In the story of the loaves and fishes, a young boy offered all he had. He surrendered little with faith that Jesus could do big things. His seemingly inadequate gift of five loaves and two fishes were miraculously multiplied in the hands of Jesus. Not only were the needs of the people met but there was abundance left over. This miracle demonstrates that no matter how small our perspective, God can provide for our needs and even exceed our expectations when we place our trust in Him. It reminds us that our limitations and poverty mindset are insignificant when compared to the infinite power and grace of our Lord.
When we align our mindset with this truth instead of making agreements with our doubts, we open ourselves up to the limitless possibilities God can bring about. We must remember that God’s resources are infinite and His desire is to bless and equip us for the work He has called us to do.
Breaking Free From a Poverty Mindset
Praise: Breaking free from a mindset of scarcity is simpler than you might think. Start by finding something to be thankful for. In fact, one of the quickest ways to dispel the enemy's lies is to counter them with truth. Begin today by creating a list of everything, big and small, that you are grateful for. Encourage your staff to join you in this practice. By focusing on gratitude, you can shift your perspective and embrace a mindset of abundance.
Prayer: We are called to come "boldly" before His throne of grace. This means bringing the "big ask," your dream outcome. He already knows what you need and has even planted many of the desires you have for the center in your heart. So, ask for His exceedingly abundant blessing to surpass your expectations, and then ask for the courage and trust to wait for His timing.
Plan: Move forward and formulate a plan for what it will look like when the breakthrough comes. Do your research, set goals, cast a vision for your staff and donors and then cast a wide net, your blessing is coming!
Living in God’s Abundance
God wants us to live in the kingdom of glorious abundance, not the land of lack. He has already equipped us with everything we need to fulfill our mission. Philippians 4:19 assures us, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Let’s move forward in faith, knowing that God, who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, is more than able to supply all our needs and guide us to new heights in our service.
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