Her Story: Encouragement for Women in BusinessSample

Day 3: The Only Foolproof Business Plan 

For years I struggled in my business. I struggled with not making enough money to make ends meet, impostor syndrome, and the haunting fear that one day it would all come crashing down. Many days I struggled with my faith. In private, I questioned whether I had heard from God about starting a business.

Early on, there was an extended season of drought that almost led me to give up. I tried every creative strategy possible, but it seemed the harder I worked, the deeper the hole. Finally, I got tired. Instead of working long hours with no return, I started to pray more. I would get up a little earlier, go to my church, and spend uninterrupted time with the Lord. Still, the change did not come. At least, not immediately. 

One day, a fellow church member I looked up to seemed to take a random interest in my business. We started a series of conversations and meetings on stewardship that lasted months. Then suddenly, the phone rang. It was a former colleague who I had not talked to or seen in over 10 years. She’d thought about me for a substantial contract and asked me to submit a bid. Just like that, the financial miracle came from an unexpected source with no prompting on my part. 

It all began to make sense--the drought, the difficult lessons on self-reliance, and the conversations on stewardship. God was reminding me of the only foolproof business plan, which is letting go of our right to ownership and stepping into our rightful roles as managers. 

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 illustrates this principle well. God does much with little, and when we are intentional about honoring Him first, before employing our means, He supernaturally multiplies our efforts with added permission to take care of more. Stewardship says neither the business, the resources, nor the connections are mine. Therefore, God, when you tell me to give from my revenue and profits, I will give. When you tell me to serve others, even though I am in a position of authority, I will do just that. And when you tell me to pause my efforts so that I can hear your direction first, I will do that as well. 

Reflection Questions: 

1. Are there any areas of your business that you’re holding on too tight? What is God asking you to let go of today? 

2. In what ways does your business seek to honor God as the true owner of it?