How Depressed Christian Business Owners Fight the Battle
Updated: Dec 27, 2020
When we’re feeling anxious, stressed, or depressed, our mind is restless. There’s no room for rest when our thoughts can’t stop. We’re up at night, tossing and turning, staring at the ceiling, wondering when things will go back to “normal.”
But when we stand our ground on the calling that God has for us in this world, we can rest in that assurance.
God wants to exchange your dark worries for His deep rest.
I have several businesses. Most were negatively affected by COVID-19 and we’ll need to ride this storm out with those. But I’m standing my ground because I know I was called into those businesses. The hope I have in the outcome of those businesses lifts me above the challenges and sits me down to rest in His purpose for me.
But when we don’t have a calling and purpose to press into for rest, we fill our minds and schedule with busyness to make ourselves think we have a purpose. We get the kids ready. We knock out deadlines. We attend more church Bible studies. We make more appointments. We check off tasks.
All the while, the depression still doesn’t let us…rest.
11% of Americans now take medication to treat depression. And that number will rise during and after the pandemic. It’s depressing just thinking about it.
But God not only designs us for rest, but He desires for us Christian entrepreneurs to experience a deep, purpose-filled rest in Him!
The Bible says,
"Be still before the Lord ; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him." (Psalms 37:7 AMP)
Rest was designed by God as a tool to build trust in God. His plans are perfect when we trust in His playbook.
Which business is distracting you from totally resting on Sundays? In Exodus 23:12, God says, “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.”
Rest isn’t just for you, it’s for your entire team. It’s for your family. It’s for your office, equipment, car, and all the tools that help you function. When you commit to rest, you let others rest too.
What projects are you working day and night on without proper sleep? In Genesis, God rested after creating the Earth. In Psalm 37:7, God said, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.”
If you’re having trouble finding room for rest in your life, examine all the projects on your plate. What can you delegate, delay, or DROP in order to make time for rest? You’ll find that it will give you more time to focus on the project God really needs you to work on.
As I conclude my series on overcoming depression for Christian entrepreneurs, I want us to make a commitment to resting in God’s calling for our business. He’s got is in the palm of His hands. The pandemic only has a hold on our businesses if we allow it. Resting in God places our trust back in His promises!
Say:
“I will rest in my calling.”
“I don’t have to hurry to launch a business.”
“I don’t have to worry about how the money will come in.”
“All my hope in entrepreneurship is in Jesus.”
“My past business mistakes are gone.”
“My sins are forgiven.”
“God is so good to me and my business.”
Amen!