Scarcity Mindset (and How to Shift)

If you have been feeling behind, comparing yourself to everyone else, or living with that constant sense of urgency, this is for you.

A scarcity mindset does not always look like being “bad with money” or wanting more than you have. A lot of the time, it shows up as a nervous system that is bracing for loss. It is the pressure to hurry, the fear that there will not be enough time, the belief that rest is risky, or the feeling that someone else’s success means you are failing.

And while scarcity can feel like reality, it is often a protective strategy. It is your body and brain trying to keep you safe.

What an abundance mindset really is

When I talk about an abundance mindset, I am not talking about pretending life is easy or forcing positivity.

An abundance mindset is a steady belief that there is enough.

* Enough grace for today.

* Enough strength for the next step.

* Enough provision to be held, even in seasons that feel tight.

* Enough creativity and opportunity to grow at the pace you are meant to grow.

Scarcity says, “There is not enough.”

Abundance says, “I am cared for.”

How scarcity shows up in everyday life

Scarcity can sound like:

* “I am running out of time.”

* “If I rest, I will fall behind.”

* “If they are doing well, I must be failing.”

* “If I cannot do it perfectly, it does not count.”

It can also show up as control.

When life feels uncertain, we often try to control everything as a way to calm the anxiety. But control rarely creates peace. It creates exhaustion.

A faith-centered reframe

From a faith lens, abundance is not “I always get what I want.”

Abundance is trusting God’s character even when circumstances are uncomfortable. It is a posture of gratitude, stewardship, and peace.

Scarcity invites panic planning.

Abundance invites presence.

It looks like doing your part and releasing what you cannot carry.

A nervous system note (because this matters)

Scarcity often lives in the body as:

* urgency

* comparison

* hypervigilance

* the feeling that you need to be “on” all the time

When your body is stuck in that state, your thoughts will naturally follow. That is why mindset shifts are not just about “thinking better.” They are also about helping your body feel safe enough to soften.

Abundantly More by Hannah Lynn Miller is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Three small practices to shift out of scarcity

You do not have to overhaul your life to practice abundance. Start small.

* Name the story. Ask: “What am I afraid will run out?” Time, money, energy, attention, approval, love? Get specific.

* Practice ‘enough for today’ language. Try: “I have enough for today.” Not for every worst-case scenario. Just for today.

* Move into stewardship. Make a plan. Take one action step. Ask for help. Rest without guilt. Stewardship is responsible and grounded. Striving is punishing and never satisfied.

A gentle reflection to sit with

Here is the question I keep coming back to:

Where am I living like God is withholding?

And right behind it:

What would change if I believed I am cared for?

If you want a simple practice this week, pick one area of life and write down three evidences of provision you have seen before. Sometimes abundance is remembering your track record of being held.

You are not behind

If scarcity has been loud lately, you are not broken.

You are human.

And you are allowed to take the next right step without spiraling into the future.

You have enough for today.

If this post encouraged you, share it with a friend. You can also connect with me on Instagram at @hannahlynnmillerlpc or at hannahlynnmiller.com.

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Hey friend, welcome to another Abundantly More Moment. I’m Hannah Lynn Miller, and today we’re talking about something that’s at the very heart of our faith: love.

You know, when we think about love, we often think of it as a feeling - that warm, fuzzy emotion we get. But here’s the thing: in the Bible, love is so much more than an emotion. It’s an action. It’s a choice. It’s a commitment.

The Greek word “agape” that’s used throughout the New Testament describes this kind of love - it’s unconditional, sacrificial, and active. It’s the love God has for us, and the love He calls us to show others.

Look at John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” God didn’t just feel love for us - He acted on it. He gave. That’s agape love.

And in 1 Corinthians 13:4, we see what this love looks like in action: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” These are all actions, not feelings.

As a couples therapist, I see this play out all the time. The couples who thrive aren’t the ones who always feel “in love” - they’re the ones who choose to turn toward each other, who ask questions, who serve in small ways every single day. They’re practicing agape love.

So here’s your challenge today: How can you show agape love to someone in your life? Maybe it’s your spouse, your child, a friend, or even a stranger. What’s one small action you can take today to love like Jesus loves?

Remember, 1 Corinthians 13:13 tells us: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Thanks for joining me for this Abundantly More Moment. I’ll see you next

I have been learning about forgiveness for awhile now and I have a unique perspective on forgiveness and in my opinion we’ve cheapened the word in our culture. Where in other cultures and time periods forgiveness was a process between the offender and the offended. Now we’ve limited forgiveness to just a word said sometimes to the offender or sometimes to ourselves just to make things feel better. There’s no process, no look at how to make things right. I usually tell clients that there’s a different word for waiting on the offender to ask for forgiveness and then to make things right.

That word, for me, is forbearance.

I think it’s a powerful concept. And the entire reason I think we have to be careful about how we talk about forgiveness is that it cheapens grace and what Jesus did for us on the cross. We can’t just say we are forgiven or that God forgives us. There’s first acknowledging that we are sinners. We have lived in a way that is wrong and not right. Then after we ask for God to forgive us we have to run the other direction from sin and towards living in the light.

When we tell people to forgive when there was no process we are doing more harm than good. And we are asking people to do something that God doesn’t even do.

Forgiving without repentance or an acknowledgement of the wrong. The Bible says God is willing and ready to forgive us. He’s waiting for us to come to him and live in a right way.

1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (ESV)

Psalm 103:8-12

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” (ESV)

Acts 3:19

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” (ESV)

These verses emphasize that God is ready and waiting to forgive, but forgiveness requires our response: acknowledgment of sin, repentance, and turning toward Him.

Forbearance in Galatians: Greek Meaning

In Galatians 5:22-23, forbearance is listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit. The Greek word used is μακροθυμία(makrothymia).

Throughout the New Testament, makrothymia consistently describes both God's patient forbearance toward humanity and the character quality believers should exhibit toward one another—a supernatural ability to endure wrongs and remain steadfast in love.

Read more about this on the blog www.hannahlynnmiller.com/theology

I am enjoying this word, “goodness”. I’ve been meditating on the word and what it means throughout scripture. I think when you are listening to other’s stories of hardship every week it can be so easy to focus on the bad. And what I’ve found is that when so much bad does happen or you are faced with bad news or evil or the opposite of righteousness which is how “goodness” is portrayed in the Bible — “goodness” shines so much brighter. I’ve been noticing this in my own life and I’ve been starting curious in those moments when I see this in my client’s lives.

Greek Word for “Goodness” in Galatians 5:22

The Greek word used for “goodness” in Galatians 5:22-23 is ἀγαθωσύνη (agathōsynē).

This word refers to moral excellence, uprightness of heart and life, and active kindness toward others. It goes beyond merely being good in character—it emphasizes doing good and expressing goodness through actions and generosity.

The term agathōsynē appears only four times in the New Testament and is closely associated with righteousness and truth, particularly in the context of how believers should live as “children of light” (Ephesians 5:9a).

It’s flu season and as a mom with a toddler I know how easy it is to catch something. We’ve had the stomach bug twice this year. I was trying to think of something positive that is contagious, but can’t think of anything. I guess they say if you surround yourself with successful people you will head towards that path. Another one is surrounding yourself with positive people — it’s contagious!

And so is joy.

Joy is so positive, life changing, and contagious!

Think about someone you’ve met who immediate comes to mind when you think of joyful!

When I started thinking about the word joy it started popping up in conversations, on my feed, and in my Bible study.

I saw a quote that micro joys are how we get through macro grief. I love this! It’s true. With a little dose of joy we can get through hard things. Joy is having something deeper than happiness to hold on to through all circumstances in life. I would argue the only way to hold on to this is through a relationship with Jesus.

So how can we grab hold of more joy in our lives? The Bible includes joy in the fruit of the Spirit which we receive when we live close to Jesus.

Galatians 5:22-23 - “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

The original Greek word for joy in Galatians 5:22-23 is “chara” (χαρά), which refers to a deep, abiding sense of gladness and delight that comes from God’s presence and grace. Unlike temporary happiness that depends on circumstances, chara represents a spiritual joy rooted in one’s relationship with Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. This joy is characterized by a profound sense of well-being and contentment that transcends life’s difficulties and remains constant regardless of external situations.

Okay, so basically the word “joy” in that verse is from the Greek word “chara” (χαρά), and it’s not just like everyday happiness! It’s this deep, beautiful gladness that comes straight from being close to God. You know how regular happiness can be so up and down depending on what’s happening in your life? Well, chara is different — it’s that soul-level contentment that sticks with you even when life gets hard. It’s rooted in your connection with Jesus and the Holy Spirit working in you, and that’s what makes it so steady and real, no matter what craziness you’re dealing with!

For the entire list of scripture head over to my blog <3 <3 <3

19 Bible Verses About Joy

Well, it happened again…

I picked a word for my year, and it had nothing to do with me.

For 2025, I decided my word would be CONSISTENCY. I wanted to be consistent with working out, blogging, and showing up for John and Rhema (at the time).

I didn’t realize I was pregnant yet. And although that was the plan for 2025, I had no idea—or maybe I forgot—how much pregnancy makes your life anything but consistent.

I remember asking God why that word was put on my heart. I thought maybe it was something I made up in my head and God had no part in it. I thought maybe I wasn’t listening “right” or maybe He wasn’t actually speaking to me.

This was a theme I felt a lot during my pregnancy. I felt like He wasn’t listening to my prayers and I couldn’t hear Him as clearly as before.

I felt like a failure. I couldn’t do anything consistently. Between horrible nausea and extreme tiredness, I was chasing a toddler. I couldn’t even read my Bible or pray consistently. I was telling God sorry so many times this year.

Ironically, I hung on to God’s Words and promises even more this pregnancy than during my first one. So much more brought me to my knees in prayer. One major difference was simply knowing how scary pregnancy can actually be.

It wasn’t until after my baby girl was born that I realized what God was teaching me through that word, consistency.

He wasn’t wanting me to be consistent. He wasn’t asking me to wake up at 5 am every morning to read my Bible, work out, and make a vlog about it.

He was teaching me about HIS character. He was showing and reminding me that although I wasn’t consistent, HE WAS. His love and forgiveness didn’t change based on what was going on in my life—which is how human relationships work. He was showing up, pursuing, and loving me. Consistently, even if it didn’t feel like it at the time.

And that’s what He did in my heart this year. There are so many things I’m not proud of, things I wish I would have done better. But I was growing a human, and there’s so much grace there. And although inconsistent circumstances in life may test human relationships, I am here to say that it strengthens your relationship with God if you let Him.

Abundantly More by Hannah Lynn Miller is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Understanding ADHD: Getting Started with Diagnosis and TreatmentIn this episode of the UR Covered Podcast, host Aly Miller focuses on ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and its impact on people’s lives. Aly, a mental health therapist, offers insights into how to identify ADHD symptoms and get started with proper diagnosis and treatment. She emphasizes the relief that comes with understanding the condition and discusses the common symptoms and their presentations, especially in women. Aly stresses the importance of educating oneself, tracking symptoms, seeking professional advice from therapists, psychologists, or psychiatrists, and considering treatment options like medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. She also provides practical tips for listeners to start their journey towards managing ADHD effectively.

Additional Resources:

Stop Fighting Your ADHD Brain: Meet Your New Productivity Secret

ADHD Relationships: Moving from Frustration to Understanding

The Invisible Weight: Understanding and Healing from ADHD Partner Burnout

Suspect You Have ADHD? Here’s How to Find Answers and Get Support

Helpful Scripts to Use When Communicating with Your Partner Who Has ADHD

Weekly Check in Cards for You and Your Partner

00:00 Welcome to the UR Covered Podcast00:35 Understanding ADHD: An Introduction02:05 Recognizing ADHD Symptoms03:39 Educating Yourself About ADHD04:51 Different Presentations of ADHD05:42 ADHD in Women: Unique Challenges08:49 Tracking Symptoms and Seeking Diagnosis16:17 Treatment Options for ADHD20:48 Practical Tips and Final Thoughts

In this powerful episode of the Abundantly More Podcast, we dive deep into a topic that often goes unspoken in ministry circles: the mental health of pastor’s wives. Being married to a pastor comes with unique challenges—constant scrutiny, unrealistic expectations, financial stress, and the weight of caring for your family while supporting your husband’s calling. This episode addresses the isolation, secondary trauma, and pressure many pastor’s wives face, while offering practical strategies for prioritizing mental health without guilt. From establishing healthy boundaries and building a support network to recognizing warning signs of burnout and creating a personal mental health plan, this conversation provides actionable tools for sustainable ministry. Whether you’re a pastor’s wife struggling to find balance, a church leader wanting to better support your pastor’s family, or simply someone interested in ministry wellness, this episode offers encouragement, biblical wisdom, and hope. Remember: taking care of your mental health isn’t selfish—it’s essential for long-term, faithful ministry. You matter to God, and your well-being matters too.

Episode Overview

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:54 Challenges of Being a Pastor’s Wife

04:21 Unique Experiences and Observations

08:08 Financial Stress in Ministry 13:03 Practical Strategies for Mental Health

19:02 Building a Support Network

20:06 The Importance of Counseling and Mentorship

21:39 Prioritizing Your Personal Relationship with God

23:49 Maintaining Personal Well-being and Hobbies

30:03 Recognizing and Addressing Mental Health Issues

33:20 Supporting Your Pastor’s Wife

36:35 Final Encouragement and Practical Steps

Resources

* Helpful scripts for communicating with your partner with ADHD https://hannah-lynn-miller.myflodesk.com/adhd-partner-scripts

* Download Connection cards for you and your spouse https://hannah-lynn-miller.myflodesk.com/zjrjismka6

* Try this worksheet to work on boundaries https://hannah-lynn-miller.myflodesk.com/p08w1zsvpp

Connect With Hannah

* Instagram: @hannahlynnmillerlpc

* Website: www.hannahlynnmiller.com/abundantly-more-podcast

* Email: thehannahlynnmiller@gmail.com

Thank you for listening to the Abundantly More Podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if you found this episode helpful!