Entrepreneurship can be tough. Uncertainty is often the name of the game, and it can be challenging to navigate leadership amid trials and difficulties. For leaders of faith, one steadfast principle has stood the test of time: trusting in God’s guidance.
In the realm of business, strategic decisions can make or break ventures, so the idea of relinquishing control and placing trust in a higher power may seem counterintuitive. However, sometimes faith serves as a guiding light, offering solace and direction in the face of adversity.
Peace During Tough Times
Chad Epperson, CEO of United Treating & Distribution, recalls the day that Lehman Brothers failed in 2008 and how much uncertainty they faced, and for awhile, it was tough. “But,” he says, “The Lord give me peace in 2009. He said ‘Chad, I’m in control. Don’t worry about me. Don’t worry about it.’ And I got with my team and I said, God says, recession’s over for us. And we actually grew our market share in 2009 while the rest of the industry was really going down. It wasn’t anything we did, it’s just Him giving us the onus to trust him.”
“We’re going to go out every day and do what we can do and trust the Lord.”
At the heart of trusting God in business and in life lies the belief that He holds the ultimate plan and purpose for our lives. Todd Stewart, CEO of Gulf Winds International, spoke in his interview about how God has led him and his family through tough times not only in business but also in life. “I do believe He is the answer to the world’s problems. I’ve seen so many people just restored, renewed, and again, not without great challenge and struggle, but when you have peace in the struggle, there’s just nothing that can replace that. I just know that only God can give us what we need at the right times. And that only comes that peace only comes through Christ. There’s there’s no way around it.”
Trusting God, of course, does not negate the importance of diligence, skill, and planning. Instead, it provides a framework for decision-making that transcends mere human wisdom. As Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This biblical wisdom underscores the principle of seeking divine guidance, whether it’s in business or in other areas of life.
Peace in All Seasons
Practically, trusting God in business involves prayerful discernment, seeking wisdom through scripture, and remaining open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It means acknowledging that setbacks and challenges are opportunities for growth and refinement, rather than indicators of failure. By aligning one’s aspirations with God’s purposes, entrepreneurs can find assurance in the knowledge that their efforts are part of a greater narrative unfolding according to His will.
It also reminds us that God is with us in the waiting, too. “We want to live a life of perpetual harvest season where we are always producing fruit,” says Kelvin Cochran, Senior VP of Human Resources and Faith Initiatives at Alliance Defending Freedom. “But the Kingdom of God doesn’t work that way. Harvest only comes when we have the season of cultivation, seed time, and then harvest. And after the seed is sown, there’s a period of calm and rest in peace as the seed is producing and growing.” That period of rest and waiting can be tough, especially in the ultra-competitive, performance-focused world of business, but “Harvest is on the way. Brothers and sisters hang in there.”
This steadfast trust enables individuals to persevere with confidence, even when the path forward may seem unclear.
Ultimately, trusting God in business is not a passive endeavor but an active commitment to surrendering control and embracing divine guidance. It is an acknowledgment of our finite understanding and a declaration of reliance on God’s infinite wisdom. As entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of the business world, may they find solace in the assurance that they are not alone, but rather, guided by the hand of a loving and sovereign God.
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