Category: Blog

Have you ever looked around, seen others’ success, and asked yourself, ‘When will it be my turn to flourish?’ – You’re not alone, but the answer might surprise you.

Today, I want to talk about being generous with what you have.

All of us, rich or poor, have the ability to be generous with our time, resources, or expertise. However, most entrepreneurs think generosity is about donating more to churches or charities. So, we think that we have to go out and accumulate more wealth to be better givers, and this will get us stuck in the cycle of discontentment.

Since 2014, I’ve been writing blogs and creating devotionals for Christian entrepreneurs.  I do this freely.  And even as I wrote blogs, I was personally experiencing financial hardships and business problems.  But when I started writing and freely giving my time, resources, and expertise to other Godpreneurs, all of my problems would disappear, and for a moment, I was content.

However, when I wasn’t writing, the discontentment returned, and I was back in my thoughts of envy and wanting more.

The Problem with Discontentment

Benjamin Franklin’s said these words: “Contentment makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor.”

Reflecting on my journey as an entrepreneur, I can see times when I got caught up in the pursuit of more – more success, more wealth. However, I’ve discovered that true riches come from a different source entirely.

In the entrepreneurial world, success is often measured by the size of our bank accounts or the luxury of our lifestyles. The advertising industry reinforces this, promising happiness with every purchase. Yet, as Godpreneurs, we sense a deeper truth – that contentment isn’t found in wealth accumulation but in generosity and sharing our blessings with others.

The Generous Path to Contentment

Paul’s advice to Timothy echoes this sentiment perfectly. In 1 Timothy 6:17-19, he writes,

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”

Paul understood that true joy and contentment come from a heart aligned with God’s purposes – a heart that gives freely and loves generously.

Reflect on your own life and business. Where have you placed your hope? Is it in the fluctuating markets and the uncertainty of wealth, or is it in God, who provides abundantly for your enjoyment and calls you to share that abundance with others?

Contentment is Available Today

Today, make a choice to pursue generosity over accumulation. Find ways to share your blessings, whether it’s your time, resources, or expertise.

Imagine a community of Godpreneurs, each committed to this principle of generosity. Together, we can redefine success, moving away from the shallow metrics of wealth and towards the deep, lasting joy of contentment found in God and expressed through generosity. By sharing our blessings, we not only enrich the lives of others but discover the true contentment that makes us genuinely rich.

Here’s a Godpreneur Rule:

Godpreneurs are NOT obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow.

Rather, we go after God’s wisdom, do good in the marketplace, are rich in helping our clients, and are extravagantly generous to a cause we feel called to sow into.

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I want to talk to you today about feeling content in business, even when you haven’t “made it.”

Often, even as Christian entrepreneurs, we become discontent and bitter when we see others around us succeed and we haven’t hit our goals yet. If we were honest with each other, we’re quite discontent with our God-first business lives. We’re still driving that clunker, little to no money in savings, and still trying to figure out how we’re going to reach “millionaire” status. And we cry out, “God, why haven’t you brought me into the land of milk and honey yet?”

But the truth is that we’ve created our own discontentment. God wants to teach us the concept of contentment being an active pursuit of His presence and purpose in our business lives, offering a pathway to true satisfaction beyond worldly achievements.

My Cornell Let Down

When I graduated Cornell in 2003, the stopwatch started ticking. I had goals for a nice car, a big house, and other luxuries of the rich. I couldn’t wait to get my entrepreneurial career started because, to me, that was the only way I was going to achieve my ambitious goals.

However, year after year, the “millionaire” status didn’t show up, so I pressed in harder – new ventures, new partnerships, a change in strategy – anything so that I could finally rest and be satisfied with my life.

The self-imposed pressure to “make it big” after graduating from an Ivy League school – especially comparing myself to others in my same age group – created a true rat race along my entrepreneurial journey that left me dissatisfied, often disappointed, and always with a feeling of “I haven’t made it…”

It was a cycle of endless striving, much like trying to fill a bottomless pit.

The Road to Freedom

It’s a common narrative among us Godpreneurs, isn’t it? In our pursuit of business success, we often find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of constant wanting, believing that the next achievement or acquisition will be the key to our contentment. But does that ever truly satisfy us?

Apostle Paul’s experience, as shared in Philippians 4:12-13, offers us profound insight:

“…I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”

Despite his imprisonment, Paul found true contentment not in his circumstances but through his unwavering focus on Christ. He teaches us that contentment is an active state of trust and dependence on Jesus, who empowers us beyond our natural capabilities.

Likewise, Ephesians 5:18 urges us,

“Be filled continually with the Holy Spirit.”

This is not a one-time event but a daily pursuit of God’s presence and power in our business lives.

A Shift of Focus

As a Christ-centered business builder, how often do you seek fulfillment in the tangible markers of success rather than in your relationship with Jesus? It’s time to shift your focus. Instead of adding more to your plates in the hope of finding satisfaction, seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is where true contentment lies – in living out your God-given purpose, empowered by His strength, not ours.

Finally, exactly 20 years after graduating college, the Lord gave me the wisdom to understand and apply true contentment into my entrepreneurial walk. I stopped listening to affirmations about money and possessions, and I settled into the power of Christ to satisfy my insatiable craving for success.

There’s Victory in One Decision

Imagine a world of Godpreneurs who live and lead businesses not from a place of lack or desire for more but from a deep well of contentment in Christ.

Together, we can transform not just our own business lives but also the employees, contactors, and clients we serve in our respective marketplaces, reflecting the abundance of being content in Jesus above all else.

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My wife and I love Disney (and my kids tag along with us on our trips). When we first started visiting Orlando, we would stay for free at my aunt’s house 1-hour from the parks because I was a broke entrepreneur. As I made more money, I upgraded from my aunt’s house to Airbnb’s that were 20 minutes from Disney. Then, my business started booming and I started staying at Disney resorts that were a quick bus ride away from the magic!

As I made more money, I became more discontent with my accomodations. I became resentful of not being able to afford staying at the nicer resorts. And guess what…even within Disney world, there’s “luxury” resorts that I still can’t afford…and believe it or not…I still have a bit of discontentment for not having the bugets to stay at those.

My entrepreneurial journey from financial scarcity to having a travel budget came with the challenge of overcoming discontentment.

This is a common experience for us growing Godpreneurs. We start our businesses with humble beginnings, and as they grow, so do our desires. But this growth often brings an unexpected guest – discontentment, even when we achieve what we once longed for.

Paul’s teaching in Philippians 4:11-13 is vital here. He says,

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

Notice, contentment was learned, not inherent.

Similarly, Jesus, speaking to the woman at the well in John 4:13-14, said,

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.”

Jesus points to a deeper, more enduring source of satisfaction than the fleeting pleasures of the world.

Consider this: Are you looking to your business success, material gains, or even relationships to fill a void only Christ can fill? It’s time to reorient your heart and find contentment not in the ever-changing circumstances but in the unwavering love and provision of Jesus.

Imagine a world of God-first entrepreneurs, where our contentment isn’t dictated by profit margins or the hotels we stay at, but by our relationship with Christ. Such stability in our hearts would not only impact our personal lives but also create a business culture that values eternal satisfaction over temporary gains.

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There’s nothing more depressing for me in my business than losing a key client. It’s not just a blow to my business’s revenue, but to my confidence and entrepreneurial esteem. I don’t know about you, but when my confidence goes down and my self-esteem gets shot, my discontentment goes up and it spills into all areas of my life.

However, as I continue my habits of staying in the Word, writing my daily devotionals, and spending intimate time with God, these “business blows” don’t rock me as hard as they used to. Now, instead of spiraling into panic, I experience an unexpected steadiness, much like a skyscraper stands firm against a raging storm.

Before building a skyscraper, crews build a 200 ft hole into the ground that forms the foundation. The taller they want the building, the deeper the hole they dig to anchor the building into. This anchor’s sole purpose is to make sure the building can withstand the forces of nature that the building WILL naturally experience.

In the same way, if we want to be able to withstand the natural challenges that WILL come with building a business (because entrepreneurship will always be challenging), we need to make sure our foundation is deeply rooted and tightly anchored.

As Godpreneurs, we’re no strangers to the highs and lows of business. The loss of a client, a deal gone sour, market fluctuations — these are our gusty winds and shaking grounds. Yet, how we respond internally to these external forces will define our path forward.

This resilience comes from a foundation deeper than mere optimism. It’s rooted in what Apostle Paul describes in Philippians 4:8.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Just as a building’s strength lies in its anchor, Paul teaches that mental and emotional stability is anchored in whatever is true, noble, right, and pure — the unchanging word of God. In times of turbulence in Paul’s ministry, these truths become his bedrock.

So, when the next storm hits — and it WILL — where will your mind be anchored? Will fleeting anxieties sweep you away, or will you stand firm, rooted in the knowledge and peace that come from focusing on God’s promises and truth? Today, choose to anchor your thoughts not in the transient, but in the eternal strength of God’s word.

The great part about building a God-first business is that you can always be building a stronger foundation, and digging deeper into our relationship with God. Skyscraper developers can’t go back and dig a deeper hole once it’s built. However, even if you’ve already built your business, God wants you to continue to dig deeper so He can build your business higher!

Together, as a community of Godpreneurs, we’re like a skyline of skyscrapers, each anchored firmly, not just surviving but thriving amidst the storms. Our shared commitment to anchoring our minds in God’s truth doesn’t just hold us steady; it transforms us into beacons of hope and resilience in the business world.

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Every year I try to bring you a prayer at the beginning of the year to inspire this year’s twists and turns for your entrepreneurial journey.

As we step into the promising territory of 2024, I want to share a heartfelt prayer with you. For this prayer, let’s not look to our past, but instead, focus on the opportunity God has given you to seek His wisdom, guidance, and strength. The Lord is calling us into the world of entrepreneurship for a great purpose in 2024! In Jesus’ name.

In this new year, I come before You, humbled and ready to embrace Your calling for my entrepreneurial journey.

I surrender my plans, my ambitions, and my desires at Your feet. May Your will be my compass, and Your wisdom, my guide.

Lord, please reveal my true entrepreneurial calling. Help me see the path You have laid out for me amidst the noise and distractions of this world.

Keep me focused on that one thing, that unique business You have designed me to create and nurture. Shield me from the schemes of the enemy, which often lead me down paths I was never meant to tread.

In 2024, I yearn to serve, Lord. Open my eyes to see the needs of my clients, my employees, and all those I encounter in my entrepreneurial journey.

Let me be a beacon of Your love and grace, a light that shines brightly in the marketplace, pointing others toward You.

Fill my heart with the desire to serve more than I seek to be served, to give more than I receive, and to love unconditionally as You love us.

Above all, Father, in this coming year, I pray for contentment. Let Your contentment be my guiding star, my true north, in a world that often values more over enough.

Teach me to find joy in the present moment, to embrace Your peace in the midst of chaos, and to recognize that true prosperity lies in the richness of our relationship with You.

Help me seek Your face, daily, knowing that in Your presence, I find the greatest contentment — contentment that transcends circumstances and endures throughout the seasons of life.

So, as I embark on this entrepreneurial journey in 2024, I hold fast to Your promises, Your purpose, and Your contentment.

May my every step be a testament to Your glory, and may Your will be done in my life and in my business.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Godpreneur, I encourage you to revisit this prayer throughout the year. Let it be a source of inspiration, a reminder of your purpose, and a call to seek contentment in God above all else.

Together, let’s make 2024 a year marked by unwavering faith and a relentless pursuit of God’s calling and contentment in our entrepreneurial endeavors.

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— by Roland Heersink

In the last two posts, we uncovered the reason for prayer and what to pray for. But how do you pray? And how can you do that every day without falling into a rut?

God wants a relationship with you, so it’s not just about solving problems! And, as you deepen your relationship with God through prayer, it becomes easier and easier to know His will for your life and your life and your entrepreneurship.

So how do you pray? In the spirit of practical guidance—and definitely not as the only way—I’ll offer the following structure, which has been used by many leaders and saints through the ages: A-C-T-S. This is, of course, not the only way to pray and no formula guaranteeing success, but it gives a good structure which you might use each and every day.

A: Adoration

Entering your prayer time resembles entering a holy place, so it makes sense to first assume a posture of reverence and humility. After all, you are the created one and God is your Creator. You are mortal, finite, and limited; God is immortal, infinite, and unlimited.

So it makes sense to humble yourself, to place your time and talents at God’s disposal—from both your personal and work life. Start by giving everything over to Him, in worship and thanksgiving.

For some help getting started, read and reread how David led his people in prayer—a small portion of which is given here:

“Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. … Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.” — 1 Chronicles 29:10…13

If you need some inspiration, I find this video helpful.

C: Confession

Once you’ve completed a period of adoration for your great God, examine yourself and consider how you may have fallen short of God’s plan.

Confession is your way of saying sorry, a way of healing the brokenness that you’ve introduced into the relationship.

Not sure about that? Then look at what the Bible says about the importance of confessing your sins:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us … If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. — 1 John 1:9-10

T: Thankfulness

After reflecting on how great God is, and how much God has given you—family, health, work, and so much more—it’s hard not to be thankful.

Even so, the Devil wants you to think that you are missing out, how it’s not fair, and how you deserve more. Flee from that! Focus instead on what God has already given; stay close to Him and do not follow the ways of the world.

Instead, list the blessings you already have, and then, when you run out, ask God to come into your heart and show you more.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. — Philippians 4:6

S: Supplication

After preparing with the first three steps, it is time to pour out your heart and seek God’s help. Even if you don’t what to say, you may just groan before Him; He already knows your need and is glad to hear from you in whatever form it takes:

We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. — Romans 8:26b

During this time, be still before God. Let your thoughts roll around in your head; don’t try to solve any problems, but just enjoy the ideas and peace that God will give.

Afterwards, thank God again and slowly return to your awakened and refreshed self. You may not have all the answers or have even heard anything, but as you repeatedly come back to God in a time of prayer, He will eventually show you His will, His way, and His plan for your life and leadership.

The above A-C-T-S structure has been found helpful by many Faith-Driven Entrepreneurs, and hopefully you find it helpful also. Next to this, the other go-to structure for praying is the example that Jesus himself gave us: The Lord’s Prayer.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

[adoration]

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

[supplication – give us what we need so that we might help build your Kingdom]

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

[confession]

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

[supplication – keep us pure so that we might be examples to others]

Again, there is no one formula for your prayers as a Faith-Driven Entrepreneur. God values all prayer, but, as Jesus and the Bible teach, do remember that prayer is so much more than just asking for help!

Prayer: the Faith-Driven Entrepreneur’s most powerful tool

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— by Roland Heersink

In the last post, we looked at the reason for your prayer—praying “so that” God is glorified. But let’s get practical—how do you do that, and what does that really mean when praying for your business?

Many times, it seems that we reserve our most fervent prayers for our biggest problems that are not easily solved by our human efforts. Just like the example of Hezekiah going up to the temple and laying out the message from his enemies before the Lord, we too may find ourselves coming to God when we’re already backed into a corner with our business, our staff, production, customers or other.

It’s like prayer is our final go-to problem-solving tool when we are stuck with our backs against the wall.

But that’s not how it should be. Prayer is foundational to building and maintaining a healthy relationship with God. It is how we draw close, how we know God’s will, sense His presence and proceed in our business decisions with confidence.

But that’s often not how it happens, is it? Too often, we’re busy making decisions, plotting strategy, hiring, firing and doing deals without involving God every step of the way. Even though the Bible tells us the opposite:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:4-7

Instead of stressing about all the many issues around our business, we are told to rejoice, give thanks and pray always.

So, how does that work?

Proactive Prayer

Jesus gives us a good example of proactively praying for our business. Jesus very much came to earth as an entrepreneur as well—with the task of establishing an entirely new religion for all peoples of the world. A big assignment in a huge market with lots of competition. From our perspective today, it is perhaps the ultimate Faith-Driven Entrepreneur challenge!

But look at what Jesus does before he picks his leadership team to take on this challenge:

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles…. — Luke 6:12-13

Here is Jesus, son of God, spending all night in prayer before choosing his leadership team!

What might happen if you committed your business decisions—big and small—to prayer as Jesus did? And, if Jesus, son of God, needed time away to strengthen his leadership, how much more so for you!

Imagine the results if you brought it all to God, instead of just approaching him during times of stress or urgent trouble? What about bringing the following to God in prayer so that His Kingdom is built:

Who to hire, fire or promote?

What product or service strategy to follow?

How to set pricing and discounts?

What markets to focus on?

How to present to the customer?

How to run your meeting?

The list of potential topics to bring to God in prayer is endless. Sure, some are big and some are small, but God wants to hear them all.

Prioritizing Prayer Throughout Your Day

As entrepreneurs, we too often rely on our training, skills, and experience to make our decisions and set strategy, don’t we? But, if we tried to pray about all these things, we’d be so busy praying that we’d be at it all day! So how does that work?

God wants to engage with you all day long. Adding small reminders to speak with Him does not distract from your leadership work—on the contrary, it strengthens it! Engaging with God throughout the day gives perspective, reduces stress and brings success in a way that bears even more fruit for the Kingdom of God—each and every day! Just try it.

Of course, relationship with God thrives on short engagements throughout the day. But periods of extended prayer are also needed. Times of communication with your Heavenly Father where you stop everything else and focus on pouring out your heart to Him. Praising Him, enjoying His presence, confessing your shortcomings, seeking His will, asking for His strength, and finding the “so that” to help build His Kingdom.

Pray always—especially when you think you already know!

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— by Roland Heersink

As an entrepreneur and leader, people expect more from you. To make the difficult decisions, to set the right direction, and lead them to success. 

Others are counting on you. Your education, experience, and track record have prepared you for this time. The very reasons people trust you to lead them also gives you confidence. 

Even so, sometimes things get beyond what you can see, past what you know, and out of your comfort zone. But, in those times, you know you can still reach out to God for help. 

That’s both right and wrong. 

God wants to guide you in your entrepreneurship and even bless you through it. So, it’s right for you to come before Him in prayer, with any and every request. Although coming to God with requests for business help is right, doing only that misses the relationship-building that God so greatly desires. 

And so your prayer needs to be more than just asking for help. But how do you know what to pray for? 

Your company? Your team? Your customers? 

Praying “So That…” Prayers

As a Faith-Driven Entrepreneur, you have a lot on your plate, and there is a lot that you might present to God in prayer.

Fortunately, the Bible gives some very clear guidance on what to pray for, often through the use of two simple words: “so that.”

For an example of this, let’s go back to the time of King Hezekiah in the Old Testament. As king, Hezekiah proved himself to be one of the better leaders of Israel:

Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. — 2 Kings 18:5-7a

As a leader, Hezekiah put God first, and in return, God helped him prosper in pretty much everything he did. Contrary to others, Hezekiah remained faithful to God’s plan in his leadership, not seeking his own glory or pleasure. This is an important leadership characteristic, especially for you as a Faith-Driven Entrepreneur.

But then came the test. 

Sennacherib, king of the Assyrians, had already captured the cities of nearby Samaria and the outlying cities of Judah, finally surrounding Hezekiah and his people in the capital city of Jerusalem: a major leadership crisis for Hezekiah, and in many ways, not unlike crises you may face when the competition close in around you.

As the enemy forces circled the city and sent threatening messages over the city walls, Hezekiah didn’t seek guidance from his advisors, strength from his troops, or reassurance from his people. Instead, check what he did—it is instructive for you as a Faith-Driven Entrepreneur as well:

Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth…. Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.” — 2 Kings 19:14-15,19

As you re-read Hezekiah’s prayer, note the use of the words “so that” in the closing of his prayer. In so doing, he gives the underlying reason for his prayer—not just that he, the city, or the people for whom he was responsible would be saved but “so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.” 

Now compare Hezekiah’s prayer to how you pray. When you present your requests to God for guidance, wisdom or help, what is the “so that” behind your request? For what reason might God answer your prayer? 

Prayers with a “so that” focused back on your company and its success might not be what God has in mind, and may therefore go unanswered. But prayers focused on helping others and bringing glory to God fall into an altogether different category, don’t they?

Trying It Out

As you face your next leadership or organizational challenge, try attaching a “so that” clause as you pray over it. For example, you might ask God to answer your request so that:

Others may see God’s hand in your work

A door may be opened for your testimony

God may be made known or glorified

Like Hezekiah’s prayer, your prayer should seek to glorify God and make Him known to those you work with. Not sure how to do that? Then check this:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. — James 1:5

Like Hezekiah and the many others after him, you can also learn to use prayer as your weapon to help build God’s Kingdom … and your business!

I pray for this so that….

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A couple of clients called me to cancel their retainer with my agency and I found myself engulfed in anxiety. The major source of my distress came because I had to make a choice: cut some long-standing employees from my payroll, or cut my own pay to keep my team together.

I took a risk and, for a couple of months, my partner and I cut down our own salaries and we worked overtime to gain some new clients. Unfortunately, our plans didn’t produce the results we wanted. The future of my business became unpredictable, prospects were disappearing, all while forfeiting my own pay for months. The worry was so crippling that my productivity took a hit.

I was far from the hopeful, joyful, content Christian entrepreneur God created me to be.

THE PROBLEM OF STRESS IN BUSINESS

As risk-taking entrepreneurs, stress and anxiety are often our unwanted business partners. Market uncertainties, client demands, or even our own aspirations can sometimes drive us to a level of worry that sabotages not just our company but our overall sense of well-being.

How can we feel joy and contentment when nothing is going our way in the business?

Thankfully, for Christ-centered entrepreneurs, God gives us an IMMEDIATE way out of the anxiety and stress, and it’s found in His word.

Paul, writing to the Philippians from a Roman prison, presents us with a contrarian, supernatural action (an idea that is the opposite of what we would naturally do).

In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul says,

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

This isn’t just inspirational talk; it’s Paul’s lived experience. Even in the direst circumstances, he writes to the church at Philippi to choose prayer over worry. But it’s not just about prayer – it’s a state of mind. Paul is “sold out” for the cause. There’s doubt in his mind the mission that he’s on. He’s committed. He’s dedicated. He’s devoted to his calling and purpose.

And what is Paul’s reward for his praying in the mindset he’s in? A supernatural peace that guards the hearts and minds of followers of Christ.

Are you sold out for the cause of your business? Do you believe that what you do has a kingdom impact? Whether you’re an architect or a restaurant owner, you have the opportunity to run a God-first business that brings Him glory. If you don’t FEEL this way, then you have the opportunity to start there!

Assuming you have connected what you do to you calling in Christ, then the next time worry starts to set in, pause to pray instead. Redirect that anxious energy towards God. You’re in the business He created you to do, so simply share your concerns, fears, and even your next sales and marketing projects with Him. Allow God’s peace to become your shield against the worst-case scenarios your mind wants to create.

Imagine a community of Godpreneurs united not by their stress levels, but by a shared experience of divine peace that comes from choosing prayer over worry because we are in the business God created us to be in. In doing so, we’re not just successful entrepreneurs; we’re also content individuals, grateful for what we have and optimistic about what’s ahead, all while honoring God along our entrepreneurial journey.

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(I’m experimenting using AI for my blog post images. This is fun!)

Two clients called me in the same month to cancel their retainers with my agency. Nothing against us, they simply didn’t have the budget. I wasn’t mad at them, but I was afraid for my company. Losing those retainers meant one of two things: either I wasn’t going to pay myself for a couple of months, or I needed to let go of some employees.

I hate to admit it, but this incident set me off into a short period of entrepreneurial depression. As strong as my faith walk is, the depression still hit me hard. I had plans to travel, buy a new car, and make some home improvements. All of those plans got put on pause. Depression settled in even more.

In hindsight, I’ll confess this: I realized I was searching for external successes to fill an internal void that the Lord still needed to work on in me. Let me explain.

THE PROBLEM WITH CONNECTING MONEY TO JOY

As Godpreneurs, we’re often conditioned to equate our worth and joy with our money and achievements. But there are times, despite our best efforts, when things go awry, and the external markers of “success” waver.

So how do we find this “joy from the Lord,” in the midst of entrepreneurial depression?

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, gave us the secret. He writes in Philippians 4:4,

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Notice, he doesn’t say to rejoice only when things are perfect, but “always”. This joy isn’t based on external circumstances but stems from a deep, spiritual connection with God. It’s not just a fleeting emotion but a profound state of being, rooted in a relationship with Him.

HOW TO FIND JOY

I learned a profound lesson during my last bout with entrepreneurial depression that I want to share with you today: joy is a choice.

Joy is choosing to respond to your external business circumstances with a supernatural inner contentment because you know God is at work on your entrepreneurial journey despite what you might see.

You also must know the difference between pleasure, happiness, and joy.

Pleasure resides in the body

Happiness is a state of mind

Joy emanates from your spirit

This is why you can’t eat your way out of depression (body).

This is why you can’t think your way out of depression (mind).

The only way to break the chains of entrepreneurial depression is by focusing on feeding the spirit, which will produce the joy of the Lord, and where there is light, darkness can not exist.

The strength to overcome depression is found by focusing on the Lord, knowing He is always with you and dwells within.

As for me, I was able to snap out of my depression by choosing to focus on the joy that emanates from my spirit when I’m spending time with the Lord throughout the business day. I stopped letting the external thing I couldn’t control have control over me. Going back to God’s word and reading about His goodness caused joy to flow up like a well from within my inner being.

MAKING JOY LAST IN BUSINESS

Today, we have a choice. Instead of letting external marketplace circumstances dictate our happiness, we must dive deep into God’s word. Let’s meditate on His promises and let His truth anchor us. Let the joy of the Holy Spirit, which is independent of our immediate circumstances, bubble up within us. When challenges come, we must remember that this joy remains unshaken, as it is grounded in the eternal and unwavering love of God.

As a community of Godpreneurs, imagine if we all operated from this inner wellspring of joy. Not only would our businesses thrive, but we’d also create a ripple effect of positivity, hope, and genuine contentment in the entrepreneurial world. Together, by focusing on the Holy Spirit’s work within us, we can reshape our approach to challenges and success, anchored in God’s unchanging joy.

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