As business owners, it’s easy to become discouraged at times. We need strong words of wisdom to keep us motivated, focused, and help us conquer business owner fear.
At 3:30 am I awoke with a feeling that I thought I buried after leaving the demands of my technology career. I thought, “Oh no, this familiar enemy is back. I know this foe. It’s called work anxiety!” I tried falling back to sleep, but the fear was too loud.
Thankfully, I know who my comforter is in times of struggle, so I head to the office in my PJ’s seeking words of advice from the ultimate word source.
Oh, how I love Google! A quick search, “Bible study for business” and I find the perfect article by Melinda Emerson to shatter my familiar but unwelcome foe, “Mr. Fear.”
12 Bible verses to help conquer business owner fear:
- Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV – “But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” All of our skills and unique talents that we use in our businesses are given to us by God. He provides us with the ability to make money and cut deals.
- Romans 12:2 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. The Bible commands us to be innovative in our businesses. We should not try to be like anyone else. The world is still waiting on a better mousetrap, and we should never rest on our successes. We must renew ourselves by being lifelong learners.
- I Thessalonians 5:16-19 NIV – “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; this is the will of God for your life.” It is essential to have a prayerful life as an entrepreneur; it will help you on those days when things do not go your way. You need to have the strength to thank God, even when you do not win that big contract. God protects us when we do not get opportunities that we think we should. Always be grateful.
- Proverbs 16:18 NIV – “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Many entrepreneurs struggle with pride. Do not be afraid to tell clients or employees that you do not know the answer. Try to diffuse any issues with truth and by taking full responsibility for fixing the problem. Never let your ego get in the way of doing what’s in the best interest of your business according to God’s ways.
- II Corinthians 9:8 NIV – “And God can bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” God always delivers to us what we need to do our best job. Sometimes he sends a check we need just in time, and other times he sends us the creativity to find the best solution to our challenges. Trust in the Lord at all times.
- II Timothy 1:7 NIV – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” Fear is the enemy of entrepreneurship. God wants us to go out with the power he gives us to pursue our ideas in business.
- Hebrews 12:11 NIV – “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” You must be fiscally disciplined in business. You cannot put all your hard work at risk by not being focused on your big picture goals and your monthly sales goals. It is painful at times, but it will produce quite a harvest.
- I Corinthians 9:24 NIV – “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?” Run in such a way as to get the prize.” Running a business is hard. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. There will be plenty of stumbling blocks in your way. Everyone trips and falls while running this race, but winners get up faster than everyone else.
- Mark 5:36 NIV – “Overhearing what they said, Jesus told them, Don’t be afraid; just believe.” There will be times when you are the only person who believes in your business dream. Don’t be afraid. Believe in yourself and your business idea.
- Ecclesiastes 11:4 AMP – “He who observes the wind [and waits for all conditions to be favorable] will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.” You must be willing to make decisions in your small business. No one is going to come along and do it for you. Make hard decisions quickly, so you can move on to doing the work needed to help your customers.
- Proverbs 11:14 NIRV – “Without guidance a nation falls. But many good advisers can bring victory to a nation.” Establish a panel of advisors for your small business. Your business will not survive on your experience alone. Pull together four to five people invested in your success. The group should include an existing entrepreneur, a customer, a mentor, a lawyer and an accountant. Seek out a mastermind group or peer to peer mentoring program to help as well. (Ask me about our “Purpose in Business” Program)
- Philippians 4:13 NKJV – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” When you struggle with self-confidence read this bible verse to yourself. There will be times in your business when you need to force yourself to stretch beyond what you think is possible. You can do it!
Did this help you conquer business owner fear that you are facing? Please share your comments.
Credited Source:
Emerson, Melinda. “12 Bible Verses Every Small Business Owner Needs.” THE BLOG https://www.huffingtonpost.com/melinda-emerson/small-business-owner-bible_b_1426541.html 04/15/2012 09:57 am ET Updated Jun 15, 2012
