God doesn't want us living fearfully. He wants us to fully plug in to His amazing power that comes through His grace. Unfortunately, I know from experience we sometimes short-circuit God's power through negative mind-sets that get in His way. There is no power shortage in heaven. God is never in a recession. His grace is sufficient to meet every need if we'll just allow ourselves to be open and available to His will. So to help you do that, I want to share three things that commonly short-circuit our faith, cutting off our access to God's power: complaining, self-pity and pride.
Scroll social media long enough and you'll find it: the steady drumbeat that says evil capitalists and corrupt politicians are conspiring to steal your happiness, and the only path forward is to demand what is owed you from your oppressors. It shows up constantly in DSA-themed politics right now — a whole worldview built on the premise that you are, first and foremost, a victim of someone else's cruel agenda… and you should trust us to take care of you. Social researchers who study identity politics call this Victim Mentality: once a group is cast as a victim class, it's positioned to make claims against an "oppressor" class — claims that are never actually negotiated, just asserted.
The Lord gave me this awesome word for many of you who have been asking- Why does it seem like the most dedicated believers go through the most horrific tests and trials? I asked the Lord that same question, and He led me into a deep study of men and women in the bible who were called to high positions in the Kingdom, after they endured great seasons of testing. He began to show me the pattern of how He first proves us in the fire before He elevates us for our assignment. He brought me to the book of Genesis to the story of Joseph. He was favored by his father who gave him a coat of many colors. I believe this was a prophetic mantle the Lord placed on his life.