Proverbs 3:4-6 

^4-5 If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. ⁶ In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. (The Living Bible. Bible Gateway, biblegateway.com, Accessed November 21, 2021).

Preparing for retirement and trying to establish another source of income while still employed, I decided to launch myself as an Independent Consultant for Mary Kay. It is a company that has been established for many years, it has a reputation of its own, I can control my work schedule, and I will have a few years to build a core group of clients.

I invested some money that I had stored as emergency cash. Later I invested even more money to extend my home base product line. Not even a full month into the business venture, I had already spent about $1500.00, and I began to have second thoughts. Am I doing the right thing? Am I wasting this money that could be used for an emergency? I don’t even wear a lot of make-up what in the world am I thinking? You see, I believed that God was going to bless me but as I began to see my emergency cash dwindle doubt crept in.

As the feeling of dread began to rise in my heart, the Holy Spirit rose as well. The Holy Spirit laid on my heart, “You cannot have faith and self-preservation. You are asking God to bless your business, but now you are wanting to hold onto your investment money. Why?”  The Holy Spirit proceeded. “One of the aspects of establishing a successful business is the start-up process. For you that includes a quick delivery of the products to those that are local. It strengthens their confidence in you, they will tell others of your great service, and this will expand your local influence in the market.”

Conviction fell when the Holy Spirit got serious with me. “You were given the excess and holding on to it instead of investing it into your business that will secure a future of comfort. INVEST!” Rebuke swiftly came in the form of a series of questions. Could God know your heart and provide for your business in advance? Is this a test to see if you would release the money into your business venture and launch into working for yourself? If it fails is your God not able to sustain you through it? All were daggers in my heart but cleared my mind, strengthened my spirit, and brought me to my knees in repentance.

I originally acted in faith, but within a short amount of time and money invested, I allowed doubt to creep in. As a result, I began to try and save myself from the business decision made. But it wasn’t a save, it was more of bail out before I even gave the business a chance to start. But the Holy Spirit corrected my thoughts so that I could conquer fear, focus on the instructions that were given, and walk humbly into my season of entrepreneurship.

Prayer

God, I thank and praise you for imparting your spirit within me. Forgive my lack of faith. Holy Spirit I give you full authority over my thoughts, order my steps, fill me with righteousness, and keep me on the path of destiny. Warring angels dismantle the forces of darkness that come against the promised land established for me. As I move boldly into position for abundance instruct me on what is best, heighten my discernment for what is sent by you so that I do not become distracted by what is sent for evil. Encourage my heart, give me a stronger will to please you, as I praise your name forever.

In Jesus Name,

Amen