If you have been following this blog for a long time, you know that every year on Martin Luther King Day, I publish the bible verses I believe every small business owner needs for the new year.
God’s words will lend strength on days you need it. Each bible verse will remind you that His love is all-powerful and all-knowing.
My Personal Bible Verse + 10 Bible Verses for Small Business Owners
My personal bible verse for 2023 is Romans 8:28, “We know that God works all things together for the good of those that love him.” Even your failures will turn out to make you better. There are times when things don’t go how you need them to go, but often that is God protecting you. Trust it will still work out for your good in the long run. Here are the 10 bible verses every small business owner needs for 2023.
1. Romans 12:2-4 NIV
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Everyone has an inner voice that talks to them. All too often, that voice is obnoxious and negative. Be careful with your daily thoughts. You must teach yourself not to go negative. One of my favorite books is Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyers. Our mindset is key to our daily mood and mental health. This bible verse is about interpreting life through the lens of God’s Word and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit rather than through the lens of your experience, woundedness, trauma, preferences, or the opinions of others. Rest your thoughts on Him to quiet the noise.
2. Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
We must always be mindful of our power source; it is not man. Our power comes from the one true living God. Our God commands us to “Fear Not.” Your faith has to be stronger than your fear. As the economy gets tighter, your business may become quite stressful. The cost of everything is going up: supplies, shipping, taxes, and employees. But all that you have needed, His hand has provided. He is in the way-making business. The secret of confidence is the consciousness of the nearness of God. If God is a real refuge, strength, and help to His people, then there is no logical reason to fear, even in the biggest crisis.
3. Ephesians 2:10 NIV
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
God has prepared good works for every believer to do. God will complete His good work in believers, and He works in them to act in accordance with His good purpose.
4. Psalm 128:1-2 NIV
“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”
God has promised to bless all those who fear Him and walk in His ways. This bible verse was written so believers would know the joy only God can give. One’s physical or financial condition does not determine happiness but rather one’s spiritual relationship with Him. It’s not about how much money you have, but by where and how we worship the Lord.
5. James 5:16 NIV
“Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Do you know how you can access God’s Power? There are a few ways. Call his name (“Help me, Jesus!”) or train your thoughts on him, but the best way to ignite God’s power is to pray regularly. Prayer is powerful. It will help you set your intention for your day. Make daily prayer a habit; the day’s chaos will roll off you like water off a duck’s back.
6. Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Daily life can be overwhelming – both in us and around us. God is big enough to change everything with the fruit of the Spirit. Longsuffering is that quality that enables a person to bear adversity and makes them patient to wait on the Lord. When the devil finds that he cannot overcome us, he uses small daily challenges. It’s the long-run approach. The devil wants to wear us out, to make us doubt that the Lord still sees us. In the big picture, the Spirit has one work to do in all of us. That is to remind us to stay humble, kind, and patient.
7. Psalms 37:8-9 NIV
“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.”
From the time we were little children, we were taught, “Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.” It is never a good idea to waste time thinking about getting back at people. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret— it can only harm you.
8. Psalms 46:1 NIV
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
This verse is about God’s provision. We should all look to God for help in difficult times. God Himself is a place of refuge. God is the strength for His people; God alone is our refuge and strength. It is not that God will carry your burdens but that He will sustain you through them. The experience of suffering is not taken away from servants of God; He will make us strong enough to resist its pressure and manage through it to make His servants more perfect. This is how God sustains us in the bearing of burdens.
9. Proverbs 16:3 NIV
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
In our hearts, we plan our course, but the LORD determines our steps. When you create a business idea and plan and share it with God, He can ensure you accomplish it. There’s nothing like inviting God to be a part of your business. When you learn to listen for God’s voice, he will often seed an idea in you for a business. That is how I was led to become SmallBizLady.
10. 2 Corinthians 13:9 NIV
“For we are glad when we are weak, and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.”
In business, people often assume we have a ton of money and are doing better than we are. Many of us find it hard to keep people around us who we can really be honest with and trust. When we are weak, we need strength to get by. God is our strength. We all need to be understanding of others and pray for them to be strong enough to face their own struggles. Prayer is the key.
Bonus Bible Verse: Joshua 1:9 NIV
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Life is full of challenges, sorrows, and tough decisions. But even amidst hardship, the Lord counsels us to be strong and courageous. Understanding this bible verse can help us face hard things with faith and confidence. God is always there for us, so we can be strong knowing He always has our backs.
I pray that these verses have encouraged you to stay strong in your business this year. God loves us so much. His blessings are new each day. He wants us to win, but He always wants us to experience hardship because His best work happens in valley seasons. God bless you in the year ahead!
Do you have a bible verse you are focusing on in 2023? Let us know about it in the comments.