3-Part Formula to Becoming a More Grateful Entrepreneur
Today, I want to talk about how important it is for entrepreneurs to develop an attitude of gratitude.
Many of us think naturally grateful people were born with it - like it's a DNA trait. That's wrong. Gratitude is something that is cultivated over time through the Holy Spirit, and I'm going to explain precisely how it happens.
I was always jealous of people that were cheerful, joyful, encouraging to others, and outwardly grateful in life. Usually encountering them in church, I had convinced myself that they were born with this, that this is THEIR spiritual gift, and I'm just not wired that way. For me, I had to set reminders on my phone to remember to show appreciation to my employees. Yup, I'm that guy.
However, as I grow deeper in my relationship with God, I become more grateful to God and appreciative of those around me. It's becoming more natural for me to be thankful.
As entrepreneurs, we're part of many communities, and as Christians, our public testimony must reflect God to others. It's our responsibility to live and operate well in our work atmosphere, industry circles, and social environments. Becoming a grateful Godpreneur is not only a good idea; it's BIBLICAL.
How did I go from not showing gratitude to waking up every morning and starting my business day in gratitude?
The Bible says
Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20)
In verse 18, Paul instructs believers to be controlled by the Spirit. He frames this in contrast with being controlled by alcohol, naming drunkenness as something Christians are to avoid. Verse 19 offers several expressions of being spiritually filled.
Verse 20 now adds another expression: an attitude of universal thanksgiving. Being controlled by the Spirit includes gratitude. The Spirit-filled Christian entrepreneur is a person who is regularly thankful for what God has done in his or her business and personal life.
There's a 3-part formula to becoming a consistently grateful entrepreneur.
COMMUNITY: Recognizing you don't operate the business in a silo. Instead, you work and transact in a community and recognize that your overall attitude affects others positively, negatively, or neutrally.
HOLY SPIRIT FILLED: Realizing that what you fill yourself with will eventually pour out into that community. For example, if you fill yourself with alcohol, your attitude and behavior will change however alcohol affects you. In the same way, being filled with the Holy Spirit would change your behavior in a more Christ-like way. It's your responsibility to choose wisely.
GIVING THANKS TO GOD: Develop a habit of praising God for everything He's doing in your business. I underline habit because we have to attach it to things like waking up in the morning or going to be at night. The habit mechanism is key.
When we are grateful to God for all things along our entrepreneurial journey, we always remember in our hearts the benefits He has given us. As business leaders influencing others, when we appreciate each other, we reinforce the value of gratitude.
When we share our gratitude to God with employees, clients, business partners, and other entrepreneurs, we glorify His name, and this is a testimony for others to come to know the God of wonders in whom we believe and serve.
Imagine if all of us Godpreneurs glorified God through our thanksgiving. Just as kindness breeds kindness, gratitude breeds gratitude and improves business life!
Prayer for Today
Lord God, how grateful we are to You for everything. You present us with business and teach us how to operate it well. We want to make the most of the time you give us on our entrepreneurial journey, always with our hearts grateful because great things YOU do for us, Father! We praise you, Lord. In the name of Jesus, amen.