God put it on my heart to talk about hope for business owners in 2018. Hope is the foundation of our faith in God. This is lonely road that we walk as entrepreneurs. There’s a lot of hard work, fear, anxiety, excitement, and then you get to rinse and repeat all those emotions again and again. But you can have joy and peace despite feeling overwhelmed in your business. If you focus on hope, and the belief that God has something amazing in store for you, things will be difference. It’s your attitude about challenges that has to change. We must live beyond our feelings and circumstances. We all have to learn how to live on facts and not our emotions. Meditation on abundance! Proverbs 23:7 says “So as a man thinketh, is he.” Here are the 10 bible verses every small business owners needs for 2018.
I Peter 1:3 NIV
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
God have given us a new life through hope. When things are going wrong in your business, it’s hard to have hope, but you don’t have a choice. You must find the strength to suffer a setback and live to fight another day. When you are mission driven in your business, (that you know is your calling) you can’t let anything turn you around. You must always have hope.
Ephesians 6:18 NIV
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Don’t treat God like video on demand. Don’t pray just when you are in trouble. Pray in advance and then make your plans. Make a daily appointment to talk with the Lord, and then wait on his promise. Don’t just pray for yourself, pray for others as well.
Psalm 23 1-4 NIV
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
This is probably one the of best know versus in the bible, yet it is so often forgot. Man is the author of nothing. While our Heavenly Father gives us free will, he allows us to experience valleys, for it is in valleys that we draw closer to him.
Job 6: 11-13
“What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me?”
We must be patient in life and in business. In Christ, there is always hope. Success is never a straight line to the top. When you have a major challenge, he needs us to maintain our faith to know that we are believing God, as God is always working. We must always remember that his time is not our time. When things do not go our way in business, that is his way of protecting us from unknown trouble.
Romans 15: 2-3 NIV
“ Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
As Christians, we can not have a business that is just focused on enriching ourselves. We must serve the community, our customers and our employees. As small business owners we lift up communities. Consider partnering with a charity, adopt a school, give your employees time to do volunteer service. Remember, no matter what we give we will never beat God giving.
Psalm 119:64 NIV
“The earth is filled with your love, Lord; teach me your decrees.”
God wants us to be known by how we love. The Lord filled the would with Peace, Joy and Love. His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are NOT our thoughts, thus we don’t know his will, but we do know that love conquers all. He’s in the blessing business and that his relief is always on time.
Zec. 4:10 NIV
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”
When you start your own business, it’s important to learn to celebrate small wins and consistent forward movement. Realize that as you start small and stay consistent you can build a sustainable small business.
II Corinthians 4:17 (AMP)
“For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]!”
In business, stress is part of the deal. But we need to always remember God is really in control. Your leadership and faith are required to rise above any tough situation that comes your way. Your business will grow into a large, flourishing plant if it is nurtured with your leadership the right way.
Matthew 21:22 NIV
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Pray your way through any challenges you face in your business. It’s such an amazing thing that we are allowed to go to God in prayer. Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there. It’s your access to your power source. It’s critical to believe that God will answer your prayer. Your faith is required to get your prayers answered.
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
The one things you need to be on guard about is negative self talk. When you make a mistake learn to forgive yourself quickly. Dwelling on negative words from customers or employees will just hold you back. Use negative feedback as an opportunity to grow, but don’t hang on to it, Treat it like water off a duck’s back. Treat each day as a new start. Love yourself and be loving to others.
I pray that reading God’s word has encouraged you. I know that my daily devotional book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young helps me stay focused. It’s seems to always have the answers I need for what I’m working through in my life. If you want things to be different, it’s time to believe in what God said. It’s time to believe in what he has promised to those of us who believe. Your faith is required in order for your business to flourish and your prayers to be answered.
Please share this post with others, you can never go wrong leaning on God’s word.
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