Welcome Back!
If you've noticed, this is part 2 of a multi-part series that I am developing where each week, I share 8 Bible verses that have impacted me in my journey as an entrepreneur. If you missed part one, you can find it Here
I'm so happy to have you on this journey with me. Whether it is spiritually, or due to business. Sharing my experience with the world is what I truly believe is my calling here on Earth.
Life is fleeting, and we all need to focus on living each moment in whatever way brings each and every one of us personal peace. This is one of the things that is peaceful for me.
Let's dive in to 8 more of the Bible verses that have impacted me, and what personal interpretations I have of them. If you have a favorite verse, comment below to share it with me!
Psalms 34: 17-18
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.
What this verse means to me:
This verse can have a lot of different meanings. But from a business standpoint, I find it poignant because there is no doubt that starting and running a business can be so defeating at times, that we often think of giving up.
You can have the most interesting products, or offer the most useful services, but you will still hear the word "no" from prospective customers more often than you'd like. It's not fashionable to say, but that hurts.
While we are all learning that this is fact, and mental toughness is not fully developed - we all start somewhere! - leaning on faith is about the only tool we have. While it may feel incredibly lonely, and like no one supports us, we have to remember that there is one who will never abandon us. Lean on Him, when the times come that you cannot lean on yourself.
Remember, Christ knows the troubles you are having, and He loves you, He wants to see you succeed. Do not dismay, you will get to where you are going.
Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
What this verse means to me:
Proverbs 13:4 is much like many others which can be found in the book of Proverbs. Taken completely out of context, it can come across as harsh. But, that is what I like about Proverbs. The chaff is completely cut out, and many of the verses cut straight to the point. A partner of mine in business describes it this way: Eat the meat and throw out the bones. - I love that description, and I think it accurately reflects how we should always be looking at Bible study.
This one tells exactly what you think it does. Do the work, we call them IPAs (not beers!) - Income Producing Activities - daily, with consistency, and you will have the money that you are looking for. If you are inconsistent in your activity; your bank account, and your achievements will reflect it. Simple as that.
Nehemiah 6:9
For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, 'Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.' 'But now, O God, strengthen my hands.’
What this verse means to me:
Nehemiah 6:9 goes perfectly in conjunction with the previous two verses mentioned. Remember how I talked about a lack of support? Starting a business not only brings "no's," It also brings haters.
I read a quote online once that said something to the effect of, "people are holding their breath waiting for you to fail - watch them suffocate."
If you've been in business for any length of time, you have heard it all. "Get a real job." "Why are you doing that - you're not smart enough, you're too lazy..." "You'll never make any money doing that thing." - Sound familiar?
This verse tells us what we need to be asking God on a daily basis to have the strength to keep going. He will strengthen your hands. Do not give your haters the time of day, lest their limited thinking infects your mindset and your business as a result. You have the full strength of the King of Kings on your side. If you are diligent; with Him, you cannot fail.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
What this verse means to me:
The phrases "fear not" and "be not afraid" can be found over 100 times in the Bible. It is pretty obvious that our fears are exactly what we were always told, unreasonable. When we were children, we were all told there is no monster in the closet, or under the bed.
The fears we all have as adults are the same. Imaginary. Almost never, do the horrible scenarios we create in our heads come to pass. If you make a phone call to a prospective client, what is the worst thing that will happen? That they say no? Even if they do, you are in no worse place than where you started. - They are still not in your calendar. But, if you make the ask, there is always a possibility that the answer will be "yes."
God wants us to move forward in faith, and not to let our fears stop us from doing what we need to do. He gave each and every one of us much better things than fear. FDR was right when he said that famous quote, "we have nothing to fear but fear itself."
Proverbs 13:11
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
What this verse means to me:
Beware of 'get rich quick' schemes. If you're not working toward wealth, you will not keep it. It is as easy as another lesson from one of our mentors. "If it's easy, it's sleazy." Do not mistake me here, the work behind our incomes can be simple. But simple and easy in this context are not synonymous. Proverbs again, is offering us another bit of semi-harsh, but useful advice.
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
What this verse means to me:
It is not our job to reinvent the wheel. If we open our ears, our hearts, and our minds we will learn all that we need to know. Everything you are trying to do has been done before. Although no two people are alike, you must take comfort in the fact that those who came before us shared their wisdom. It is there for us to find. And, if you are open, He will show you what you must know. Ask him to guide you.
The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?
What this verse means to me:
Are you noticing the theme yet? He is not going to let you suffer if you have faith in Him. There is nothing to fear. Nothing can harm you.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
What this verse means to me:
You are not alone. When you ask for it, He will strengthen your resolve, go out there and do the thing. You've got this because He's got you.
Thank you so much for joining me once again as I move through this series. Writing these posts has been so much fun for me! I truly appreciate your time once again. Keep an eye out for more of the series to come.
If you like this, please join my mailing list. If you want to reach out to me, you can email me directly at: reclaimingmyselfblog@gmail.com
Use my LinkTree to follow me on all platforms. TikTok has special videos for all verses of this series as well.
Come back again for more content.
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