The Power to Get. It. Done.

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20, NKJV)

A Scarcity Mindset

Too often we have a scarcity mindset.

This means there is never enough. Not enough time. Not enough resources. Not enough opportunity. Just not enough.

Most people would deny this. But I challenge you to monitor your thoughts, words, and actions over the next few weeks.

Where are you feeling stressed and overwhelmed?
Where are you feeling worried about the outcome of something?
Where are you believing that you don’t have enough of something to accomplish what’s needed?
Where do you believe that you don’t have enough to get it done?

It’s not really our fault if we find that we’re engaging in a scarcity mindset. It tends to be a normal human and societal way of being. Its prevalence shows up everywhere.

We may have beliefs of strictly limited resources in our lives and work. Therefore, we may hoard resources or envy others. We may believe we never have enough time. So we always feel behind, overwhelmed, rushed, and even despondent.

Scarcity mindsets shift us away from God. They create tunnel visions and cause us to lean into our own abilities rather than trusting in God’s. This mindset reduces peace and creativity while increasing stress.

Exceedingly Abundantly

Psychology tells us that the opposite of a scarcity mindset is an abundant one. This is when we believe we have unlimited resources and opportunities to allow us to be successful. According to psychologists, an abundant mindset will help us be collaborative, grateful, and create more value.

They’re not wrong.

But where they don’t have it quite right is that they place the ownership of the abundance on us. As in saying that through our actions and beliefs alone, we will have unlimited resources and opportunities.

Our text for today makes it very clear that abundance comes from God. Let’s break this down to see what it’s saying:

Exceedingly Abundantly

This is what God can do. And the fact that He does what is exceedingly abundantly means that He is able to do what is superabundant in quantity and superior in quality. And, He is excessive by implication. This means that by the mere fact alone that He is God, what He does is excessive in nature!

Ask or Think

This is what we do. Asking can show up through a simple question, begging, craving, desiring, supplication, praying, and beseeching. In other words, God receives our asks in the myriad of ways they come - spoken, not spoken, long held dreams, wishes captured in our hearts, and more.

Thinking is an exercise of the mind. It is when we’re pondering, observing, considering, perceiving, imagining, They can be fleeting thoughts or thoughts that keep us up at night. They can be thoughts of deep wondering or thoughts that may seem fanciful but actually hold a lot of weight.

Power

This is what comes from God. And where we begin to differ from a human psychological understanding. This is God’s force. It is a miraculous power, and by implication, a miracle itself. His power is His ability and is a mighty work. His power is an almighty energy of greatness and omnipotence (He’s all powerful). Andi t resides in us.

Works

This is what God’s power does. It’s an active and efficient power. It’s mighty and fervent (intensely strong, passionate, and enthusiastic). It’s effective and operative. It produces results. And this is what is at work in us.

Here’s a summary:

We ask or think.
God’s power that is in us goes to work for us.
His power and work produces results that are above and beyond our expectations.

We have access to the unlimited resources and opportunities He owns. And when we ask or think, in faith, His power works to bring them to us. His power works to enable us to accomplish what is before us. His power works to help us be successful in our work, our ministries, and our lives.

One note about God’s power. It is exceeding, it is abundant, and it is a miracle. It is also creative. Having a God-focused abundant mindset requires us to let go of things being done our way. We have to stop micromanaging and controlling the narrative. Instead, we must allow God’s power to have creative agency in how the results get accomplished.

So yes, we can get. it. done. because God gets. it. done. And our approach should be to trust God to do the work in us, through us, and for us. So that whatever obstacle is in the way, challenge to overcome, or objective to accomplish, God’s power will create results that are exceedingly abundantly above what we thought was possible.

Weekly Power Shifts

Power Shift 1: From Scarcity Worry to Bold "Asking or Thinking"

Reflection Question: Where this week are you operating from a strict "not enough" baseline (whether it’s a lack of time, energy, or resources)? How has that worry caused you to develop tunnel vision?

Your Action Step: Catch yourself the next time you think or say, "I don't have enough time/money/ability for this." Stop immediately. Write down that specific scarcity thought, cross it out, and replace it with a written "ask or think" prayer. Be specific about what you need God's superabundant power to do in that exact space.

Power Shift 2: From Self-Reliance to God-Residing Power

Reflection Question: In what project, challenge, or relationship are you currently leaning entirely on your own abilities by trying to force an outcome rather than trusting God’s almighty power already residing in you?

Your Action Step: Choose one high-stress task or meeting on your calendar this week. Before you dive into it, pause for two minutes. Take a deep breath and declare out loud: "God, I am stepping out of my own strength. Your effective, operative power is at work in me right now, and I trust You to get. it. done."

Power Shift 3: From "My Way" to God's Creative Agency

Reflection Question: Where are you gripping the steering wheel too tightly, insisting that God solve a problem or open a door in one specific, rigid way? How might your blueprint be limiting His creative miracle-working power?

Your Action Step: Identify the one situation you are most tempted to micromanage this week. Write down your exact "script" for how you think it should play out. Then, literally draw a line through it and write across the top: "Open for Creative Agency." Every time you start to stress about the process, pray: "God, I release my way. I can't wait to see how Your power creatively gets this done."