If you are a Christian business leader, or if you are in the marketplace, I want to pass along this word of encouragment- Despite what the media has to say, and despite how low our 401(k)s go- GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL!
In our current economy, and with current world conditions, it is very important that Christian business and marketplace leaders not allow fear , worry, doubt, or anxiety to prevail in their hearts or minds.In fact, just a few days ago I was talking with a good friend of mine whose business is continuing to grow at an astronomical rate-even in this economy. As we were talking he said something interesting to me. He said "I am simply refusing to participate in the recession."
That is his mindset, and he is continuing to win big while so many others are huddled up in the corner wringing their hands about what to do in this economy.
God's Word reminds us that there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18)
Also, in 2 Timothy 1:7, we are told that God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.
When we allow fear to take root in our hearts, it reduces our faith in God.
Fear Grips our heart and produces 6 Effects:
Fear Replaces faith
Fear Destroys dreams
Fear steals our joy and blessing
Fear spoils victories
Fear paralyzes us
Fear robs us of memories
Fear causes us to hesitate because of disbelief
The opposite of fear is faith, trust, and belief.
Fear Replaces Faith
Pretty simple equation. God has made the human brain so that although our thoughts can "drift" and we can "daydream" from one moment to another, it is impossible for us to be consciously aware of two distinct thoughts at the same time.
So it is impossible for us to exercise faith and fear at the same time, so when we
dwell in fear, faith has dissipated. But when we focus on faith, fear loses.
So, as a Christian business leader, maintain your faith in God, that no matter how bad things get- God is still in control!
Fear Destroys Dreams
A very important aspect of succeeding in business and in leadership in general is having a goal, vision, or plan to work toward. When our goals and plans are significant and stretch us beyond our usual state of mind, it causes us to DREAM. To look out and see a better state of existence. So when fear has a stronghold in our lives, it does great damage to us accomplishing our hopes and dreams in life and in business.
Fear Steals Our Joy and Blessing
When we allow fear to rule, we simply cannot find the capacity to focus on what is good and wonderful in our lives. So often in business, we focus on those things that are wrong or need improved, and we fail to regularly consider what is going well, what we do well, and what we have to be thankful for. I am a firm believer that an "Attitude of Gratitude" is critical in overcoming fear. So take some time to focus on what you have to be thankful for in business, and consider it all joy.
Fear Spoils Victories
Can you remember the last real success you had in the marketplace? Was it a sale to a large customer? Maybe a successful product launch? Or perhaps you helped a co-worker or colleague work through a problem or challenge. Remember how you felt? You felt like a "winner" right? Like you were really doing somethng worthwhile, perhaps even doing something that you hoped would make the world a better place.
But fear has a real way to take away the euphoria of your last victory. Fear has a way of causing us to see only what is "now" and to worry about what is to come. But it never allows us to look back and see our victories and successes in the past.
Fear Paralyzes Us
Sometimes in business we know just what we should do. We know that everything has come into perfect alignment for us to grow our company or product line, but something just won't allow us to move forward. We think about everything that could go wrong, and so the fear we have prevents us from doing anything at all- so we take the safe way out and end up doing nothing- paralyzed with fear.
Fear Robs Us Of Memories
I once heard it said that the enemy of Gratitude is Forgetfulness. How true that is. If we fail to remember all God has done for us at work and in business, we will find it increasingly difficult to remain thankful for His goodness. When we focus on the fear we feel, we so easily forget how good the Lord has been to us. He has allowed us the health to work. He has given us a company or organization to run or work for. He has blessed us beyond anything we have deserved.
So a great way to battle fear is to focus on how good God has been - today!
In closing, allow me to encourage you to hang in there. Remember God is on His throne. He did not wake up this morning, slap Himself on the forehead and say "Oh Myself, what are we gonna do today?" There are no surprises to God. He has everything under control. So trust Him.
Don't allow fear to prevent you from moving forward. Do that thing in the marketplace that He has placed on your heart.
Share your faith- don't fear what someone will say or do.
Expand your product/service offering- don't fear the economy will tank beyond repair.
Give your time and money away- don't fear there won't be anything left in your savings tomorrow.
Let your FAITH- not fear- rule in your heart!!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Enough is Enough- it's Christmas for crying out loud!
OK-
Enough is enough!
I am so sick of the controversy over Christmas trees, nativity sets, stores telling me "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."
I just read another story about the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) now refusing to display thier two Christmas trees at their library because quote "12 people have complained."
Those twelve people were mentioned to be employees and faculty of the university. So here is my response.... tell those people they do not get a Christmas vacation and paid days off!
See how quickly they change their tunes.
We wonder why our nation is in such moral decline? We cannot seem to figure out why we have 8 year old boys shooting thier fathers in the head, or why teen pregnancy is running rampant, or why our government leaders have never met an expense they didn't like! Because we have lost our ever-lovin' minds that's why! And now just the word "Christmas" drives people crazy.
It is after all a national holiday- so as far as I am concerned, all those people who are offended by the Christmas holiday or tradition, Christmas trees, the baby Jesus in a manger- they just need to go create their own holiday- although maybe it already exists on April 1st!
The most intolerant people in our country are those who are complaining the most that Christmas is not an "inclusive" holiday-
Maybe if we all stayed home and refused to spend our money at the stores who refused to put "Merry Christmas" all over the place, we would no doubt get their attention. What if we said "bah humbug" until they returned "Merry Christmas" to every aspect of thier sales and promotions? We would see just how "happy" thier holidays would be without the "Merry Christmas" people!
Enough is enough!!
Merry Christmas!!!
Enough is enough!
I am so sick of the controversy over Christmas trees, nativity sets, stores telling me "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."
I just read another story about the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) now refusing to display thier two Christmas trees at their library because quote "12 people have complained."
Those twelve people were mentioned to be employees and faculty of the university. So here is my response.... tell those people they do not get a Christmas vacation and paid days off!
See how quickly they change their tunes.
We wonder why our nation is in such moral decline? We cannot seem to figure out why we have 8 year old boys shooting thier fathers in the head, or why teen pregnancy is running rampant, or why our government leaders have never met an expense they didn't like! Because we have lost our ever-lovin' minds that's why! And now just the word "Christmas" drives people crazy.
It is after all a national holiday- so as far as I am concerned, all those people who are offended by the Christmas holiday or tradition, Christmas trees, the baby Jesus in a manger- they just need to go create their own holiday- although maybe it already exists on April 1st!
The most intolerant people in our country are those who are complaining the most that Christmas is not an "inclusive" holiday-
Maybe if we all stayed home and refused to spend our money at the stores who refused to put "Merry Christmas" all over the place, we would no doubt get their attention. What if we said "bah humbug" until they returned "Merry Christmas" to every aspect of thier sales and promotions? We would see just how "happy" thier holidays would be without the "Merry Christmas" people!
Enough is enough!!
Merry Christmas!!!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Your 2009 Outlook
Every day we get bombarded with more and more bad news..the crashing economy, the growing deficit, loss of jobs, terrorism, health care crisis, global warming.....the list goes on and on.
But what I have been contemplating a lot lately is that I think people are now perhaps for the first time in a long time (if ever), re-thinking where thier hope and future lies.
Just in the last few weeks, we have seen unprecedented (at least in our lifetime) rapid declines in our stock portfolios, 401k's, real estate value, etc.
Just a few months ago most people I know had a sense of personal peace and comfort- perhaps a false sense of security about them.
How quickly that has changed. And I am not so sure this is so bad for us, our country, etc.
People have seen the value of what they worked their whole lives to attain disappear or significantly reduced in just a few short weeks.
I believe this is a great opportunity for people to stop, reflect, and even simplify their lives.
When much of what they have worked for has so quickly disappeared, one must take inventory of thier own values and priorities.
It is time for us to return to our roots-faith in God, love and care for family, friends, and loved ones, and taking the time to stop and enjoy the greatest true joy in life.
Remember the enemy of grattitude is forgetfulness.
Take time right now (and do this every day) to stop and dwell on 5 things you are thankful for- and don't forget the simple things we take for granted everyday (like our health, food, peace, etc.).
And don't forget to remain thankful and grateful- this is what I meant when I said the enemy of grattitude is forgetfulness- do not forget how good God has been, and continues to be to you, your family, and our nation.
Have a blessed day!
Ray Hilbert
But what I have been contemplating a lot lately is that I think people are now perhaps for the first time in a long time (if ever), re-thinking where thier hope and future lies.
Just in the last few weeks, we have seen unprecedented (at least in our lifetime) rapid declines in our stock portfolios, 401k's, real estate value, etc.
Just a few months ago most people I know had a sense of personal peace and comfort- perhaps a false sense of security about them.
How quickly that has changed. And I am not so sure this is so bad for us, our country, etc.
People have seen the value of what they worked their whole lives to attain disappear or significantly reduced in just a few short weeks.
I believe this is a great opportunity for people to stop, reflect, and even simplify their lives.
When much of what they have worked for has so quickly disappeared, one must take inventory of thier own values and priorities.
It is time for us to return to our roots-faith in God, love and care for family, friends, and loved ones, and taking the time to stop and enjoy the greatest true joy in life.
Remember the enemy of grattitude is forgetfulness.
Take time right now (and do this every day) to stop and dwell on 5 things you are thankful for- and don't forget the simple things we take for granted everyday (like our health, food, peace, etc.).
And don't forget to remain thankful and grateful- this is what I meant when I said the enemy of grattitude is forgetfulness- do not forget how good God has been, and continues to be to you, your family, and our nation.
Have a blessed day!
Ray Hilbert
Friday, December 14, 2007
Importance of keeping your word
Sometimes we wonder why people in business and in the marketplace are not attracted to Christianity. I believe one of the greatest reasons is because all too often, we as followers of Christ, are poor at keeping our word.
We fail in keeping many commitments we make, and this comes in many forms. We get behind in paying our vendors, we fail to deliver our product or service on time, or perhaps we simply decide to not keep our commitment when it becomes inconvenient to do so.
Do you have any thoughts on this?
We fail in keeping many commitments we make, and this comes in many forms. We get behind in paying our vendors, we fail to deliver our product or service on time, or perhaps we simply decide to not keep our commitment when it becomes inconvenient to do so.
Do you have any thoughts on this?
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