Search this site

I want to write today about the power of saying "no" in business as a way to increase your productivity as a Christian entrepreneur. Have you ever felt the pressure to agree to every business opportunity or request that comes your way? It’s a common trap for entrepreneurs, driven by a fear of missing out or letting people down. But this often leads to overcommitment and stress. In Matthew 5:37, Jesus says, "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' be 'No.'" Both were given equal importance.  Saying 'no' is just as powerful of a word to keep our honesty and integrity in business. Niching as a Path to 'No' One of my companies is a digital marketing agency called Educational Brands.  We do branding and enrollment marketing for charter schools.  That's a special type of school here in the U.S.  My agency used to do branding for all types of businesses, however, I decided that to give the best possible service in my agency, picking one single niche was the way to go.  The hard part was having to say ‘no’ to other types of businesses that would still call me since I had been doing branding for all businesses since 2005. But what would happen if I said 'yes' to a different type of business other than charter schools?  It would be robbing my attention from my existing clients and would distract me from providing excellent services. However, if a charter school calls me, I can 100% confidently present myself as THE premier choice for their branding and marketing because I can show that I'm strictly committed to their success. When we say 'yes,' we must ensure we can follow through, and sometimes, that means having the courage to say 'no.' In the world of entrepreneurship, the ability to discern when to say 'yes' and when to say 'no' is crucial. It's not just about managing time; it's about aligning our actions with our values and ensuring we can fully commit to our "yes" because we know how to say “no” to non-aligned opportunities. It's the same with our commitments within our companies.  We have many hats we can wear - sales, marketing, accounting, operations.  If you commit to making that presentation, but it requires resources and time you currently don’t have, then you risk being unproductive because you said yes instead of saying no. The pressure to say yes can be immense, but remember, an overstretched yes can lead to poor performance and stress, which can tarnish your reputation and your self-esteem. This brings us to our actionable step: Let Your No Be No If you want to increase your productivity and happiness as a God first entrepreneur, you have to come to terms with the fact that you'll need to say ‘no’ more often than you say ‘yes.’  This is how we can experience peace along our entrepreneurial journey - peace that leads to productivity. Reflect on your current commitments. Are there tasks or projects causing you anxiety because you said yes without truly considering your capacity? Each yes should be a deliberate choice, reflecting your ability to commit fully and effectively. To truly honor our commitments, we must learn the power of saying no. This might mean turning down opportunities that don't align with our strategic goals or current capabilities. By doing so, we free ourselves to focus on commitments we can fulfill excellently, maintaining our integrity and building trust with our clients and colleagues. The Productivity of 'No' This week, challenge yourself to evaluate new requests carefully. Use prayer as your guide to peace and clarity in these decisions. Remember, saying no is not just a refusal; it’s an affirmation of your commitment to your yeses. When you do say yes, ensure you can do so with full integrity, bringing your best to each commitment. Let us be entrepreneurs who not only build successful businesses but also build them on the solid foundation of biblical integrity. Let your yes mean yes, and let your no protect that integrity.

I want to write today about prohibiting the "rush" in our business lives. Have you ever ended a frantic workday only to realize you haven't actually moved forward with any of your real goals? In the hustle of managing my remote staffing agency, I’ve often found myself rushing from one task to the next, always feeling a step behind, never quite catching my breath. I frequently wonder at the end of my days, "What have I truly accomplished?" The Problem: We Put Ourselves at Risk As Godpreneurs, we all face the challenge of balancing a packed schedule. There's always another meeting, another deadline, another commitment. But there's a difference between being busy and being in a rush—a distinction that can define the success and health of our entrepreneurial journey. The Solution: Peace Over Haste Jesus's life, as depicted in the Gospels, was undeniably busy. Take Mark 3:20, for example: “Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.” Jesus was also an “in demand” figure, like in John 11:5-7 [5] Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. [6] So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, [7] and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea. Yet, Jesus never appeared hurried. He waited two whole days after the news of Lazarus sickness to then go see him. Even in His busiest days, like the one described in Mark 11 when he goes to Jerusalem as its new King, Jesus demonstrated a remarkable sense of control and purpose. He visited the temple courts, observed everything around Him, but chose not to act immediately because it was already late. Instead of rushing to "clean house" that evening, He paused, decided it could wait, and returned the next day (Mark 11:11). KEY TAKEAWAY: His actions weren't dictated by the pressing crowds or endless tasks but by a deeper sense of timing and purpose. "It can wait," He might have thought, a lesson in prioritizing peace over haste. The Journey to Rethink Urgency How often do you push yourself to act immediately, fearing that if you don’t, opportunities will slip away? Jesus’s approach will challenge you to rethink urgency. What if you allowed yourself the space to say, "It can wait"? Imagine the quality of your decisions and interactions if they were made from a place of calm deliberation rather than rushed necessity. Imagine a community of Christian entrepreneurs who operate not out of urgency but out of understanding and peace. When we choose to prohibit the rush in our lives, we embrace a style of productivity that is both effective and sustainable. We become leaders who are not just productive but also wise, peaceful, and impactful. This brings us to our actionable step: Prohibit the Rush By embracing Jesus’s model of productive busyness—acknowledging the fullness of our schedules yet refusing to let them dictate our pace—we cultivate an environment where our businesses can thrive without sacrificing our well-being or our witness. To eliminate hurry, we need to get better at saying "no" to time requests that push us into haste.  Let’s prioritize like Jesus did, counting the cost of our time and choosing what aligns best with our mission and God’s calling. This week, take a moment to reflect on your schedule: where can you say, "It can wait"? How can you rearrange your priorities to reflect a more deliberate and God-honoring pace? BONUS RESOURCE: Questions to Help Business Owners Say "No" More Often Here's a practical toolkit to empower you to make decisions that protect your time and align with your entrepreneurial vision and spiritual growth. Does this align with my core business values and mission? Assess whether the request or opportunity is in harmony with the fundamental values and mission of your business. If it doesn’t align, it’s likely not worth your time. Will this move me closer to my strategic goals? Consider if saying "yes" will advance you towards your long-term objectives. If it won't contribute to your main goals, it might be something you can skip. Do I have the necessary resources to commit to this right now? Analyze your current resources, such as time, finances, and staff. If committing to this request would strain your resources or detract from more critical tasks, it’s a sign to decline. What am I sacrificing to accommodate this request? Reflect on what you must give up to fulfill this new commitment. If the sacrifice outweighs the benefits, saying "no" could be the better choice. Is this the best use of my time as the leader of this company? Evaluate whether this activity is something that requires your unique skills or could it be better handled by someone else or not at all. As a leader, your time is valuable and should be reserved for high-impact activities. Can this request be postponed or delegated? Determine if the request can be delayed or if someone else on your team can handle it. This helps maintain focus on your priorities without outright rejection. Does this opportunity excite me or feel like an obligation? Pay attention to your instincts. If something feels more like a burden than an exciting opportunity, it might not be worth your commitment.

I've been feeling “off my game” recently.  I'm a bit overwhelmed, feeling unproductive, and just flat out drained. And then the Spirit spoke and told me. I haven't been in the word every morning like I used to. I want to write to you today about the importance of prioritizing the word, daily, especially for God-first entrepreneurs. The Problem: Burnout Like many of you, I’ve often caught myself muttering, "I’m overloaded." My to-do list seem endless, my Trello cards keep piling up, my BNI commitments seem overwhelming. I strive to juggle my responsibilities, yet I often end up feeling drained and unproductive. Isn’t it true for all of us?  We’re constantly racing against the clock, trying to squeeze productivity out of every minute. In our entrepreneurial journey, this constant hustle can lead to burnout instead of breakthroughs. God Has a Plan But what if I showed you there’s a different way to run your business? A way that doesn’t just manage time but redeems it for God-first purposes? Consider the disciples in a boat, swamped by a sudden squall on the Sea of Galilee, as told in Luke 8:23-24. ‬ [22] One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. [23] As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. [24] The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. [25] “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” The disciples were overwhelmed, in great danger, and then Jesus calmed the storm with just a few words. This story isn’t just a display of divine power; it’s a vivid illustration of peace amidst chaos. Jesus didn’t start His day with the storm; He started with prayer. Mark 1:35 shows us Jesus rising early, retreating to a solitary place to pray. His priority was time with the Father, setting the tone for His day ahead, grounded in spiritual focus. The Road to Redemption for Godpreneurs Now, let’s bring this onboard our entrepreneurial ship. Starting our day with the Word is like setting the coordinates on our ship’s compass—to navigate through the day’s storms and not just survive, but thrive. By embedding scripture and prayer into the beginning of our day, we anchor ourselves in God’s presence. This isn’t just about reading the Bible; it’s about making it a base for all decisions and interactions. Think of it as “grace-based productivity” where our activities stem from peace, not towards it. Imagine a community of Godpreneurs who start their days in God’s Word, aligning their purposes with His. This isn’t just good time management; it’s transformed time management. Here, our businesses become ministries, our interactions become opportunities for grace, and our schedules become a reflection of our faith. This principle isn’t just about avoiding being swamped by busyness but about being purposefully productive. When we prioritize the Word, we operate out of rest, not rush. We make decisions that are proactive, not reactive. And collectively, we exemplify the peace of Christ in the marketplace, drawing others not just to our businesses, but to our Savior. Principle: Becoming a Daily Godpreneur By reframing our approach from simply managing time to redeeming time through Christ, we set a foundation that alters every aspect along our entrepreneurial journey. It’s about making the first things first, both in business and in faith. As we progress through this series, keep this principle close: Daily Godpreneur. Let it guide you from the first moment of your morning, and watch as it reshapes your day, your business, and your ministry. Tips for Daily Bible Habit for Entrepreneurs I have several blog posts and a devotional on YouVersion about my daily Bible habit.  I pray it's the catalyst to you finally becoming a daily student of the Bible. YouVersion Plan: A Christian Entrepreneur’s Guide to Business Growth

Have you ever looked around, seen others' success, and asked yourself, 'When will it be my turn to flourish?' – You're not alone, but the answer might surprise you. Today, I want to talk about being generous with what you have. All of us, rich or poor, have the ability to be generous with our time, resources, or expertise. However, most entrepreneurs think generosity is about donating more to churches or charities. So, we think that we have to go out and accumulate more wealth to be better givers, and this will get us stuck in the cycle of discontentment. Since 2014, I've been writing blogs and creating devotionals for Christian entrepreneurs.  I do this freely.  And even as I wrote blogs, I was personally experiencing financial hardships and business problems.  But when I started writing and freely giving my time, resources, and expertise to other Godpreneurs, all of my problems would disappear, and for a moment, I was content. However, when I wasn't writing, the discontentment returned, and I was back in my thoughts of envy and wanting more. The Problem with Discontentment Benjamin Franklin's said these words: "Contentment makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor." Reflecting on my journey as an entrepreneur, I can see times when I got caught up in the pursuit of more - more success, more wealth. However, I've discovered that true riches come from a different source entirely. In the entrepreneurial world, success is often measured by the size of our bank accounts or the luxury of our lifestyles. The advertising industry reinforces this, promising happiness with every purchase. Yet, as Godpreneurs, we sense a deeper truth - that contentment isn't found in wealth accumulation but in generosity and sharing our blessings with others. The Generous Path to Contentment Paul's advice to Timothy echoes this sentiment perfectly. In 1 Timothy 6:17-19, he writes, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." Paul understood that true joy and contentment come from a heart aligned with God's purposes - a heart that gives freely and loves generously. Reflect on your own life and business. Where have you placed your hope? Is it in the fluctuating markets and the uncertainty of wealth, or is it in God, who provides abundantly for your enjoyment and calls you to share that abundance with others? Contentment is Available Today Today, make a choice to pursue generosity over accumulation. Find ways to share your blessings, whether it's your time, resources, or expertise. Imagine a community of Godpreneurs, each committed to this principle of generosity. Together, we can redefine success, moving away from the shallow metrics of wealth and towards the deep, lasting joy of contentment found in God and expressed through generosity. By sharing our blessings, we not only enrich the lives of others but discover the true contentment that makes us genuinely rich. Here's a Godpreneur Rule: Godpreneurs are NOT obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Rather, we go after God's wisdom, do good in the marketplace, are rich in helping our clients, and are extravagantly generous to a cause we feel called to sow into.

I want to talk to you today about feeling content in business, even when you haven't “made it.” Often, even as Christian entrepreneurs, we become discontent and bitter when we see others around us succeed and we haven't hit our goals yet. If we were honest with each other, we're quite discontent with our God-first business lives. We're still driving that clunker, little to no money in savings, and still trying to figure out how we're going to reach "millionaire" status. And we cry out, “God, why haven't you brought me into the land of milk and honey yet?” But the truth is that we've created our own discontentment. God wants to teach us the concept of contentment being an active pursuit of His presence and purpose in our business lives, offering a pathway to true satisfaction beyond worldly achievements. My Cornell Let Down When I graduated Cornell in 2003, the stopwatch started ticking. I had goals for a nice car, a big house, and other luxuries of the rich. I couldn't wait to get my entrepreneurial career started because, to me, that was the only way I was going to achieve my ambitious goals. However, year after year, the “millionaire” status didn't show up, so I pressed in harder - new ventures, new partnerships, a change in strategy - anything so that I could finally rest and be satisfied with my life. The self-imposed pressure to “make it big” after graduating from an Ivy League school - especially comparing myself to others in my same age group - created a true rat race along my entrepreneurial journey that left me dissatisfied, often disappointed, and always with a feeling of “I haven't made it...” It was a cycle of endless striving, much like trying to fill a bottomless pit. The Road to Freedom It’s a common narrative among us Godpreneurs, isn’t it? In our pursuit of business success, we often find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of constant wanting, believing that the next achievement or acquisition will be the key to our contentment. But does that ever truly satisfy us? Apostle Paul’s experience, as shared in Philippians 4:12-13, offers us profound insight: "…I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." Despite his imprisonment, Paul found true contentment not in his circumstances but through his unwavering focus on Christ. He teaches us that contentment is an active state of trust and dependence on Jesus, who empowers us beyond our natural capabilities. Likewise, Ephesians 5:18 urges us, "Be filled continually with the Holy Spirit." This is not a one-time event but a daily pursuit of God’s presence and power in our business lives. A Shift of Focus As a Christ-centered business builder, how often do you seek fulfillment in the tangible markers of success rather than in your relationship with Jesus? It's time to shift your focus. Instead of adding more to your plates in the hope of finding satisfaction, seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is where true contentment lies – in living out your God-given purpose, empowered by His strength, not ours. Finally, exactly 20 years after graduating college, the Lord gave me the wisdom to understand and apply true contentment into my entrepreneurial walk. I stopped listening to affirmations about money and possessions, and I settled into the power of Christ to satisfy my insatiable craving for success. There's Victory in One Decision Imagine a world of Godpreneurs who live and lead businesses not from a place of lack or desire for more but from a deep well of contentment in Christ. Together, we can transform not just our own business lives but also the employees, contactors, and clients we serve in our respective marketplaces, reflecting the abundance of being content in Jesus above all else.

My wife and I love Disney (and my kids tag along with us on our trips). When we first started visiting Orlando, we would stay for free at my aunt's house 1-hour from the parks because I was a broke entrepreneur. As I made more money, I upgraded from my aunt's house to Airbnb’s that were 20 minutes from Disney. Then, my business started booming and I started staying at Disney resorts that were a quick bus ride away from the magic! As I made more money, I became more discontent with my accomodations. I became resentful of not being able to afford staying at the nicer resorts. And guess what…even within Disney world, there's “luxury” resorts that I still can't afford…and believe it or not…I still have a bit of discontentment for not having the bugets to stay at those. My entrepreneurial journey from financial scarcity to having a travel budget came with the challenge of overcoming discontentment. This is a common experience for us growing Godpreneurs. We start our businesses with humble beginnings, and as they grow, so do our desires. But this growth often brings an unexpected guest – discontentment, even when we achieve what we once longed for. Paul’s teaching in Philippians 4:11-13 is vital here. He says, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Notice, contentment was learned, not inherent. Similarly, Jesus, speaking to the woman at the well in John 4:13-14, said, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst." Jesus points to a deeper, more enduring source of satisfaction than the fleeting pleasures of the world. Consider this: Are you looking to your business success, material gains, or even relationships to fill a void only Christ can fill? It's time to reorient your heart and find contentment not in the ever-changing circumstances but in the unwavering love and provision of Jesus. Imagine a world of God-first entrepreneurs, where our contentment isn’t dictated by profit margins or the hotels we stay at, but by our relationship with Christ. Such stability in our hearts would not only impact our personal lives but also create a business culture that values eternal satisfaction over temporary gains.

There's nothing more depressing for me in my business than losing a key client. It's not just a blow to my business's revenue, but to my confidence and entrepreneurial esteem. I don't know about you, but when my confidence goes down and my self-esteem gets shot, my discontentment goes up and it spills into all areas of my life. However, as I continue my habits of staying in the Word, writing my daily devotionals, and spending intimate time with God, these “business blows” don't rock me as hard as they used to. Now, instead of spiraling into panic, I experience an unexpected steadiness, much like a skyscraper stands firm against a raging storm. Before building a skyscraper, crews build a 200 ft hole into the ground that forms the foundation. The taller they want the building, the deeper the hole they dig to anchor the building into. This anchor’s sole purpose is to make sure the building can withstand the forces of nature that the building WILL naturally experience. In the same way, if we want to be able to withstand the natural challenges that WILL come with building a business (because entrepreneurship will always be challenging), we need to make sure our foundation is deeply rooted and tightly anchored. As Godpreneurs, we're no strangers to the highs and lows of business. The loss of a client, a deal gone sour, market fluctuations — these are our gusty winds and shaking grounds. Yet, how we respond internally to these external forces will define our path forward. This resilience comes from a foundation deeper than mere optimism. It's rooted in what Apostle Paul describes in Philippians 4:8. ‭The Bible says Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Just as a building's strength lies in its anchor, Paul teaches that mental and emotional stability is anchored in whatever is true, noble, right, and pure — the unchanging word of God. In times of turbulence in Paul's ministry, these truths become his bedrock. So, when the next storm hits — and it WILL — where will your mind be anchored? Will fleeting anxieties sweep you away, or will you stand firm, rooted in the knowledge and peace that come from focusing on God's promises and truth? Today, choose to anchor your thoughts not in the transient, but in the eternal strength of God's word. The great part about building a God-first business is that you can always be building a stronger foundation, and digging deeper into our relationship with God. Skyscraper developers can't go back and dig a deeper hole once it's built. However, even if you've already built your business, God wants you to continue to dig deeper so He can build your business higher! You dig. He builds. Remember that. Together, as a community of Godpreneurs, we're like a skyline of skyscrapers, each anchored firmly, not just surviving but thriving amidst the storms. Our shared commitment to anchoring our minds in God's truth doesn't just hold us steady; it transforms us into beacons of hope and resilience in the business world.

Back in 2021, I found myself caught up in the pandemic e-commerce hype. A client approached me with a business opportunity to buy and sell products from China through Facebook ads. And it worked! The client brought me in as a partner and our product sales were booming. We had the right combination of ads and sales, profit margins were healthy, and more and more money kept flowing into the bank account. But then, my partner started spending money on materialistic possessions and luxury items. His desires became so insatiable that he started taking money from the business account (our money) to pay for his upgraded lifestyle. One day, our Facebook ads stopped working, sales dropped to ZERO, and the company was left in massive credit card debt because my partner had spent all the money that was supposed to be used to pay down the cards. This nearly bankrupted me since all of the debt was on my personal business credit cards. I was a firsthand witness of my business partner’s overwhelming desire for more — more success, more recognition, more wealth. It was a desire that seemed insatiable, and it overshadowed the very values and faith that my personal entrepreneurial walk was built upon. In the world of entrepreneurship, where success is often measured by material gains, it's easy for us Godpreneurs to get caught up in the chase for more. Greed can subtly creep in, masquerading as ambition or the drive for excellence, and before we know it, our priorities shift away from God and towards worldly gains. The Apostle Paul warns us about this very danger in Colossians 3:5, saying, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." Greed isn't just a harmful trait; it's equated with idolatry. When we allow greed to rule our hearts, we're essentially placing it above God, dethroning Him from where He rightfully belongs. Are there any areas of your business where greed may have begun to take root? Maybe you find yourself obsessing over cryptocurrency or an e-commerce venture? Maybe your heart has become fixated on your agency’s monthly recurring revenue (MRR)? Are there decisions you've made or attitudes you've adopted that are more about serving your own desires than honoring God? It's time to confront these, to confess them to God, and to realign your heart and business with His Kingdom values. UPDATE: To update you on my failed e-commerce venture, my former partner was remorseful of his ways and began paying back all of the debt he accumulated. He confessed he was wrong and we have kept a close relationship ever since because my heart was to help him recover from his mistakes, overcome the adversity, and propel into a more fruitful entrepreneurial journey. Imagine a community of Godpreneurs who operate not out of greed, but out of generosity and contentment. We would not only be guarding our own hearts from the destructive power of greed but also setting a powerful example for the business world. We can show that success is not about how much we accumulate but about how much we reflect God's love and goodness in our ventures.

Dear Godpreneurs, Every year I try to bring you a prayer at the beginning of the year to inspire this year's twists and turns for your entrepreneurial journey. As we step into the promising territory of 2024, I want to share a heartfelt prayer with you. For this prayer, let's not look to our past, but instead, focus on the opportunity God has given you to seek His wisdom, guidance, and strength. The Lord is calling us into the world of entrepreneurship for a great purpose in 2024! In Jesus' name. Father, In this new year, I come before You, humbled and ready to embrace Your calling for my entrepreneurial journey. I surrender my plans, my ambitions, and my desires at Your feet. May Your will be my compass, and Your wisdom, my guide. Lord, please reveal my true entrepreneurial calling. Help me see the path You have laid out for me amidst the noise and distractions of this world. Keep me focused on that one thing, that unique business You have designed me to create and nurture. Shield me from the schemes of the enemy, which often lead me down paths I was never meant to tread. In 2024, I yearn to serve, Lord. Open my eyes to see the needs of my clients, my employees, and all those I encounter in my entrepreneurial journey. Let me be a beacon of Your love and grace, a light that shines brightly in the marketplace, pointing others toward You. Fill my heart with the desire to serve more than I seek to be served, to give more than I receive, and to love unconditionally as You love us. Above all, Father, in this coming year, I pray for contentment. Let Your contentment be my guiding star, my true north, in a world that often values more over enough. Teach me to find joy in the present moment, to embrace Your peace in the midst of chaos, and to recognize that true prosperity lies in the richness of our relationship with You. Help me seek Your face, daily, knowing that in Your presence, I find the greatest contentment — contentment that transcends circumstances and endures throughout the seasons of life. So, as I embark on this entrepreneurial journey in 2024, I hold fast to Your promises, Your purpose, and Your contentment. May my every step be a testament to Your glory, and may Your will be done in my life and in my business. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. Godpreneur, I encourage you to revisit this prayer throughout the year. Let it be a source of inspiration, a reminder of your purpose, and a call to seek contentment in God above all else. Together, let's make 2024 a year marked by unwavering faith and a relentless pursuit of God's calling and contentment in our entrepreneurial endeavors. In His service, Alex Miranda

A couple of clients called me to cancel their retainer with my agency and I found myself engulfed in anxiety. The major source of my distress came because I had to make a choice: cut some long-standing employees from my payroll, or cut my own pay to keep my team together. I took a risk and, for a couple of months, my partner and I cut down our own salaries and we worked overtime to gain some new clients. Unfortunately, our plans didn't produce the results we wanted. The future of my business became unpredictable, prospects were disappearing, all while forfeiting my own pay for months. The worry was so crippling that my productivity took a hit. I was far from the hopeful, joyful, content Christian entrepreneur God created me to be. THE PROBLEM OF STRESS IN BUSINESS As risk-taking entrepreneurs, stress and anxiety are often our unwanted business partners. Market uncertainties, client demands, or even our own aspirations can sometimes drive us to a level of worry that sabotages not just our company but our overall sense of well-being. How can we feel joy and contentment when nothing is going our way in the business? Thankfully, for Christ-centered entrepreneurs, God gives us an IMMEDIATE way out of the anxiety and stress, and it's found in His word. Paul, writing to the Philippians from a Roman prison, presents us with a contrarian, supernatural action (an idea that is the opposite of what we would naturally do). In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This isn't just inspirational talk; it's Paul’s lived experience. Even in the direst circumstances, he writes to the church at Philippi to choose prayer over worry. But it's not just about prayer - it's a state of mind. Paul is "sold out" for the cause. There's doubt in his mind the mission that he's on. He's committed. He's dedicated. He's devoted to his calling and purpose. And what is Paul's reward for his praying in the mindset he's in? A supernatural peace that guards the hearts and minds of followers of Christ. Are you sold out for the cause of your business? Do you believe that what you do has a kingdom impact? Whether you're an architect or a restaurant owner, you have the opportunity to run a God-first business that brings Him glory. If you don't FEEL this way, then you have the opportunity to start there! Assuming you have connected what you do to you calling in Christ, then the next time worry starts to set in, pause to pray instead. Redirect that anxious energy towards God. You're in the business He created you to do, so simply share your concerns, fears, and even your next sales and marketing projects with Him. Allow God's peace to become your shield against the worst-case scenarios your mind wants to create. Imagine a community of Godpreneurs united not by their stress levels, but by a shared experience of divine peace that comes from choosing prayer over worry because we are in the business God created us to be in. In doing so, we're not just successful entrepreneurs; we’re also content individuals, grateful for what we have and optimistic about what's ahead, all while honoring God along our entrepreneurial journey.

Two clients called me in the same month to cancel their retainers with my agency. Nothing against us, they simply didn't have the budget. I wasn't mad at them, but I was afraid for my company. Losing those retainers meant one of two things: either I wasn't going to pay myself for a couple of months, or I needed to let go of some employees. I hate to admit it, but this incident set me off into a short period of entrepreneurial depression. As strong as my faith walk is, the depression still hit me hard. I had plans to travel, buy a new car, and make some home improvements. All of those plans got put on pause. Depression settled in even more. In hindsight, I'll confess this: I realized I was searching for external successes to fill an internal void that the Lord still needed to work on in me. Let me explain. THE PROBLEM WITH CONNECTING MONEY TO JOY As Godpreneurs, we're often conditioned to equate our worth and joy with our money and achievements. But there are times, despite our best efforts, when things go awry, and the external markers of "success" waver. So how do we find this "joy from the Lord," in the midst of entrepreneurial depression? The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, gave us the secret. He writes in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Notice, he doesn’t say to rejoice only when things are perfect, but "always". This joy isn't based on external circumstances but stems from a deep, spiritual connection with God. It's not just a fleeting emotion but a profound state of being, rooted in a relationship with Him. HOW TO FIND JOY I learned a profound lesson during my last bout with entrepreneurial depression that I want to share with you today: joy is a choice. Joy is choosing to respond to your external business circumstances with a supernatural inner contentment because you know God is at work on your entrepreneurial journey despite what you might see. You also must know the difference between pleasure, happiness, and joy. Pleasure resides in the body Happiness is a state of mind Joy emanates from your spirit This is why you can't eat your way out of depression (body). This is why you can't think your way out of depression (mind). The only way to break the chains of entrepreneurial depression is by focusing on feeding the spirit, which will produce the joy of the Lord, and where there is light, darkness can not exist. The strength to overcome depression is found by focusing on the Lord, knowing He is always with you and dwells within. As for me, I was able to snap out of my depression by choosing to focus on the joy that emanates from my spirit when I'm spending time with the Lord throughout the business day. I stopped letting the external thing I couldn't control have control over me. Going back to God's word and reading about His goodness caused joy to flow up like a well from within my inner being. MAKING JOY LAST IN BUSINESS Today, we have a choice. Instead of letting external marketplace circumstances dictate our happiness, we must dive deep into God's word. Let's meditate on His promises and let His truth anchor us. Let the joy of the Holy Spirit, which is independent of our immediate circumstances, bubble up within us. When challenges come, we must remember that this joy remains unshaken, as it is grounded in the eternal and unwavering love of God. As a community of Godpreneurs, imagine if we all operated from this inner wellspring of joy. Not only would our businesses thrive, but we'd also create a ripple effect of positivity, hope, and genuine contentment in the entrepreneurial world. Together, by focusing on the Holy Spirit's work within us, we can reshape our approach to challenges and success, anchored in God's unchanging joy.

Scrolling through my social media, I'm constantly bombarded by successes and highlights of other entrepreneurs. There's a couple of people I follow that I personally know, and I envy their house, cars, business size, and lifestyle. And even though I'm a God-first entrepreneur with two well-established businesses and a Christian personal brand, I found myself trapped in comparison, asking if I was doing enough, did I miss out on something, and when was it going to be my turn to live like them? I felt the gnawing discontentment that comes from entrepreneurial envy. As Godpreneurs, we are not immune to the green-eyed monster called envy, especially in today's digital connectedness. How many times have we looked at another entrepreneur's success story on LinkedIn or Instagram and felt a pinch of envy? The age of digital identity, with polished company websites and success narratives on social media, has only amplified these feelings. The constant stream of other's success stories can sometimes overshadow our own journeys and God-given blessings. So how do we break free to overcome entrepreneurial envy? The Bible warns us about the dangers of envy. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote in Proverbs 14:30, "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." This ancient wisdom underscores how true contentment, a heart at peace, nourishes our entire being, while envy can be destructive, corroding our joy, health, and well-being. Solomon’s insight is timeless, reminding us Godpreneurs that the state of our heart is directly correlated to our physical ability to show up for and lead our businesses. For Godpreneurs, Solomon's wisdom can be looked at like this: Peaceful heart = life for my business Envious heart = death for my business Solomon is warning Godpreneurs that while true contentment brings peace for our entrepreneurial journey, envy can destroy our well-being and ability to run the race God set before us. So how do you not let envy take root? You focus on what God has done in the past and what He promises for the future. If you're like me, then you have some form of envy in your heart that you need to address. Begin by confessing, in prayer, all the people you envy. Call them out by name. Give those names to the Lord. Those are His children, too. Remember, the plans He has for them are, also, to prosper. Next, open up a Google Document on your phone and start your Victories List. I've been doing this since 2017. Every month you bullet point all the awesome things that happened that month. You can even put promises from God that you found that month in the Bible. You should even write unique challenges you've faced, and how the Lord helped you overcome them. Now, when the urge to compare surfaces, counteract it by genuinely thanking God for what He is blessing them with and going to your Victories List reading past wins and maybe writing down new ones. By focusing on gratitude and God's unique plan for your business journey, you'll find a deeper, more genuine contentment. Imagine a community of Godpreneurs where we lift each other up, celebrate each other's successes, and focus on our unique God-given paths. Instead of envy, our hearts would be filled with gratitude, contentment, and peace. As Godpreneurs, we have a unique opportunity to lead by example, to show others how to find joy and contentment in what we have, and to trust in God's perfect plan for our lives and businesses. If you haven't already, start your Business Victories List today!

Have you ever wondered how to expand your Christian business beyond its four walls? How do you scale the impact you're having for God's kingdom? The good news is that Godpreneur Academy has prepared a series of devotionals specifically designed to guide you in broadening your reach while strengthening your Christian Personal Brand. This series is a key component of Stage 5 in the Godpreneur Academy's comprehensive 5-stage roadmap—The Path to Godpreneurship. If you're not yet familiar with this transformative roadmap, The Path to Godpreneurship is an all-encompassing guide that supports entrepreneurs at every step of their spiritual and business journey. Starting from "Awareness" and leading up to "Expand," this 5-stage approach ensures you're not just building a business, but a God-aligned legacy. The significance of reaching Stage 5 cannot be overstated; it means you've laid a robust foundation and now, it's time to multiply your impact for the kingdom. Making devotionals a daily habit has double benefits. Not only does it deepen your connection with God, but it also equips you with divine guidance to solve real-world, entrepreneurial challenges. That's why we recommend this Stage 5 devotional series as an efficient and enriching practice for busy entrepreneurs looking to scale their operations and impact. 1) 7 Steps to Launching Your Christian Personal Brand God wants to use your personal brand to share His message with the world. These seven steps will guide you in clarifying your voice, aligning your brand's mission with divine intention, and maximally impacting your audience. 2) Keys to Successful Christian Business Blogging Good blogging isn’t just about attracting clicks—it’s about delivering value. In this plan, receive divine guidance for creating a Christian blog that not only reaches a wide audience but also transforms lives. 3) Making Business Partnerships Great Again It’s no secret that collaborations can often be fraught with challenges. This course goes back to the Bible, offering wisdom that can rejuvenate and invigorate business partnerships. Conclusion and Call to Action: For the Christian entrepreneur who has navigated the initial stages and is running a God-first business, this "Expand Your Kingdom Impact" devotional series is your ticket to greater influence and success. The series will equip you to build a compelling personal brand, master the art of Christian business blogging, and renew the vitality of your business partnerships. If you're ready to take your Christian business to the next level and expand your kingdom impact, then this series is a must. To access these devotionals and journey through The Path to Godpreneurship, don't hesitate to join Godpreneur Academy today.

Have you reached that crucial stage in your business where you're ready to grow but are anxious about losing your integrity, balance, or meaningful relationships along the way? If yes, I've got just the right tool for you. Godpreneur Academy has released a set of devotionals dedicated to the "Grow" stage of their exceptional roadmap, "The Path to Godpreneurship." These aren't mere guidelines; these are 21 days of devotionals. If you've been thinking about incorporating spiritual habits into your busy entrepreneurial life, now is the perfect time. You'll invest just a few minutes a day and walk away with actionable insights for both your business and your spiritual life. Now, let's uncover what this transformative devotional plan holds. The Business Bible Plans: 1) Growing Your Agency, God’s Way Learn how to scale your agency without losing your soul. This devotional helps you embrace serving over selling, ensuring that you impact the world positively. 2) 5 Lies of Money and Business Money talks, but not always truthfully. This 5-day plan debunks common money myths that hold you back from God-backed business growth. 3) Waiting on God in Your Business Patience is a virtue in life and in business. Discover the art of waiting for the right opportunities and decisions that align with God’s plans. 4) Conquering Integrity in My Business In a world where cutting corners is commonplace, stand out by maintaining integrity. Learn how to attract and retain customers through ethical practices. 5) Overcoming Work Addiction Entrepreneurs often fall into the trap of work addiction. Find the right balance between ambition and rest, as you learn from real-life examples. 6) Good Fighting in Business Partnerships Conflicts are inevitable, but they can be managed constructively. Uncover the power of good fighting to create harmonious business partnerships. So, there it is! These devotionals in the "Grow" stage are your secret weapon for scaling your business while keeping your faith front and center. But remember, these are just one part of Godpreneur Academy's comprehensive journey, "The Path to Godpreneurship," which guides you through each stage of your entrepreneurial adventure. Ready for unshakeable growth in both your business and faith? Visit www.GodpreneurAcademy.com today and consider joining us for an experience like no other.

Are you on the verge of launching your business but feeling weighed down by fears, obstacles, or even financial stress? If you're nodding your head, then I've got something fantastic to share with you today. Godpreneur Academy's third stage of their comprehensive roadmap, "The Path to Godpreneurship," focuses entirely on preparing you for a successful launch. This isn't just another set of tutorials. These are devotionals — a unique blend of Biblical wisdom and business acumen. Imagine you're a busy entrepreneur, always racing against time. What if you could take just a few minutes each day for the next 17 days to grow both in your faith and your business? This unique devotional journey is designed precisely for that. So let's dive in and explore these five incredible devotionals that make up the "Launch" stage. 1) Overcoming Obstacles to Launching Your Idea: If you're holding back because of doubts or fears, this plan will embolden you with the confidence to step forward. 2) Your Brand Story is Your Testimony: Learn how to articulate the unique story behind your brand, which is essentially a testimony to God’s role in your entrepreneurial journey. 3) Business Partnerships are Hard: Explore how to navigate the complexities of partnerships through a Biblical lens. Learn how to turn conflicts into constructive dialogues. 4) Healthy Ambition in Business: Ambition can either make or break your business. Find out how to channel your ambition in a godly way. 5) Removing The Stress of Money in Your Business: Discover how a faith-backed approach to finances can remove stress and elevate your business. And there you have it! These devotionals in the "Launch" stage are designed to tackle all those issues that have been keeping you awake at night, hindering your progress. Godpreneur Academy's full journey, "The Path to Godpreneurship," is a meticulously crafted roadmap covering every stage of your entrepreneurial journey—from Awareness to Expansion. Are you ready to take the next step? Visit www.GodpreneurAcademy.com and consider joining the Academy. Your business and spiritual life will thank you for it.