When Entrepreneurs are at their Weakest, We Need This
I’ve had a period of time where I was
Sued for thousands of dollars by a client who was being sued by someone else for copyright infringement, claiming it was my company’s fault
Late for 2 months on rent at both home and the business
Behind on paying money to a handful of vendors and contractors
Scrambling for business because no new leads were coming in
Trashed by my biggest client ever, told that I was never going to get a referral from them
Accused by my son of not approving him, and by his mother as selfish
Condemned by my wife as not being a good father and a terrible example of a Christian husband
This was all literally happening all at the same time, stacked one on top of the other.
Enough to make you think twice about life, right?
Not me. Why?
Because since 2014 I committed myself to the thought that nothing lasts forever, everything is a test, and I need to have a faith that transcends beyond what’s humanly imaginable.
I didn’t ignore any of the charges brought against me or bills that were piling up. I made good on everything, putting everyone in line for payment. I took my son and wife’s criticism as opportunities to reflect upon my life and how I can be more like Christ, even though they were wrong.
As entrepreneurs, especially as Godpreneurs, we’re going to face extremely difficult and lonely times. We’re going to feel the entire weight of the world come down on us, especially the closer you draw to God.
What do we do when we just feel like giving up? Where do we go when we feel like…dieing.
Can I share some GREAT NEWS?! Death has already happened, and it was overcome. God doesn’t leave His children abandoned, He’s preparing a glorious day. The world and everything around you can seem out of control, but God is in complete control.
In Acts 24 we meet Paul in a similar situation to the one I was in. He’s being accused of things that aren’t true, he’s in and out of jail for years, he’s alone. Paul hasn’t really had the stellar life he probably deserved as being such a man of God. You’d think he would be royalty or something. The man was always having to raise money, escape from mobs, sleep in random houses, and pretty much live like a vagabond.
Yet here in Acts 24 he is, offering up his sacrifice of praise and acknowledging God’s providence and grace, just like the author of Hebrews writes in 13:15. I’m not sure I would start my speech with this opening line: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense,” (Acts 24:10) but Paul pulls it off. He knows God is in charge. He trusts that all will be for good, that Jeremiah 29:11-14 still applies— that God has a plan for him and that nothing can separate him from the love of Christ.
What about you? What about me? I often think God abandons me and my business or is distant and uncaring. But I’m likely to do so under far tamer circumstances than those Paul endured—my bullet points above are nowhere near what Paul endured. I don’t like going through hard things like the next guy. So, of course, when I do, I feel like God has abandoned me or I’m doing something wrong.
For this, I have to admit my weaknesses and lack of faith, and rely on Christ and His riches, His love, and His care for me. Paul displays this, even standing before high priests and governors. Yes, it’s courage. But more than that, it’s Christ. He is our Advocate, our Great High Priest, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. He’s our Redeemer, so I can stand with confidence and tell my story—His story.
Godpreneur Rule #63: Godpreneurs know that God is still in charge, we trust Him, and He has good plans for us.
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