Photo by Mitchel Lensink on Unsplash
“Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.”
– Robert H. Schuller
If you’ve been following me for a while, you would have gotten the basic understanding of spiritual growth by now. Do bear with me because of the fact that the population of the world is continually growing and definitely there will be new people seeking out these things daily.
So spiritual growth plays a crucial role in personal and business success. It’s about growing in your relationship with God, finding meaning and purpose for your life that aligns your actions with your core values according to God. By doing so, you can achieve a sense of fulfillment and drive business success.
Let me briefly highlight some of the challenges and obstacles that can stop or hinder your spiritual growth journey. This is not a deep dive but initial quick mentions. Ignorance, submission, lack of commitment, sin, bad relationships, fear.
These are just a few areas to help you identify what’s stopping you on your spiritual growth journey. I don’t want you to stop there, but the intention and aim is to help you address them in a manner to prevent them from even hindering you on your entrepreneurial journey.
Identifying Common Barriers to Spiritual Growth:
Now let’s go a little deeper on these areas that can hinder your spiritual growth. Ignorance – if we perish because of a lack of knowledge, then you can’t expect to grow without knowledge of what spiritual growth is and the how to’s. Submission – to be in a true position of submission means that you have trusted turning over every area of your life to Jesus. This includes your business.
Lack of commitment – in order to see proper results in anything in life you must be committed. Especially when you are introducing new habits or practices in your life. Sin – the “s” word that you may not like to hear about. If only Jesus could have defeated sin and redeem you and I back to God, then it’s that serious. Bad relationships –
There are relationships that help you thrive, and relationships that causes nosedives. I’ll leave it at that. Fear – if you like holding on to the old then you will fear the new and unknown. Growing challenges you to leave your comfort zone.
On top of these you have the pressures of time constraints in the business environment. I know you may have noticed that a lot of things are being made at a faster rate today. As businesses are cutting time, you cannot ignore the quality of products are being greatly affected.
So as an entrepreneur or business owner you will experience heavy demands. Those heavy demands will come with numerous pressures and even worldly distractions. All in an attempt to either get you off course in your spiritual growth journey, or keep you away from growing in the things of God.
If left unattended, or you don’t position yourself to keep your spiritual wellbeing in tact then you find yourself under stress, and having anxiety challenges. If you’re a person that is always going, in addition to that you can be faced with burnout before you know it.
Lack of Prioritization and Neglect:
The way the world is going, success is promoted as the highlight of life. As you would hear many aiming to live their ‘best life’. If you are connected with America in any way you would be familiar with living the ‘American Dream’.
Now, what does the Bible say? ”This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.“ – Joshua 1:8 (KJV).
The Bible encourages us to go after observing and doing God’s will layed out in scriptures to achieve a life of good success.
Let’s not stop there, ”For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?“ – Mark 8:36 (KJV). Even though you may have tendencies to prioritize business success, these scriptures help us remember that you can aim for a good life, but there is an afterlife.
Neglecting spiritual disciplines can lead you and keep you stuck in the places and environments of the areas before mentioned. Neglecting prayer keeps you away from proper communication with God. How can you express how much you love me but yet don’t desire to spend time with me?
Neglecting reading the bible and scripture study puts you in a position to remain ignorant to God’s will. You cannot fulfill the will of the King without knowing his laws and commands.
On top of that your identity is in danger because you end up living beneath who you are because of listening to the lies and deception of the enemy. I wouldn’t even talk about losing your inheritance. You cannot legally claim what you have no knowledge about.
Worldly Influences and Temptations:
If you follow the world’s system, you will be led astray by their values and priorities in how they conduct business. Let’s examine a few:
Accountability – be careful of doing your own thing and not wanting to be responsible for your own actions and decisions.
Authentic – from the fake lives and unrealistic dreams that have been sold to us by Hollywood and social media. Don’t be alarmed, there are still some real genuine people left here on earth.
Balance – not that perfect fifty fifty measurement that divides things equally. Many are out there forsaking their spiritual wellbeing, family, health, social life just to go after building their own empires.
Genuine Care – many are still operating with a dog-eat-dog world mindset. Genuine care for others seems like it’s nonexistent in some spaces. The sad thing about it, is that it is highly evident in a disgusting way among so called believers and people of faith. Be careful out there, some people will destroy you for the love of money with their grabalicious self.
Ethics – going through this almost feels like a storm in this world. Mixed with personalities operating with no moral principles and values. The lying, cheating, conniving, selfish, all for me baby, smiling in your face, back stabbing Judas of a wannabe entrepreneur and business owner.
So how do you survive in a world operating like this and resist worldly temptations and aligning your business practices with Christian values?
Hell to the no, i am not telling you this will be easy, but through Christ possible. You definitely cannot do this in your own strength.
Here’s your hope:
”Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.“ – Philippians 4:8 (KJV). You must get your thinking set right.
Proverbs 11:1 (KJV) – ”A false balance is abomination to the LORD: But a just weight is his delight.“ False business practices are offensive to God.
Proverbs 22:1 (KJV) – ”A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, And loving favour rather than silver and gold.“ If you have to choose between a good reputation and great wealth, choose a good reputation.
Proverbs 11:3 (KJV) – ”The integrity of the upright shall guide them: But the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.“ If you are good, you are guided by honesty. People who can’t be trusted are destroyed by their own dishonesty.
Fear and Insecurity:
Did you know that the word fear is searched online over 93K in one month?
Fear can hinder your spiritual growth. I am a strong believer that ‘fear don’t care’. I expect you to give him back the same energy.
Do you have any fear as an entrepreneur or business owner? Getting clients & cashflow, failure, rejection, starting a new business, confidence, not staying focus, emotional challenges from life?
Testimony – many years ago in high school and afterwards fear & anxiety had a hold of me. My picture may have been in an old dictionary example of shy….????.
After beginning a relationship with Jesus Christ, then learning and discovering my identity & purpose, I realized I was robbed and being robbed.
Fast forward to now, I have grown in confidence and faith with God’s help to take courage and go after my desires & dreams and also stepping out to help others like You.
Do I still experience fearful situations? Of course, but now I’m better equipped to face them and get better results.
How to overcome fear the right way by avoiding these:
Stop comparing yourself to others. How someone else overcomes fear may be a slightly different path for you. It’s not always a one size fits all. Focus on you.
Stop looking for quick overcome fear hacks. I will not paint a picture to you like do this & your fears will be gone tomorrow. I don’t sell magic potion…lol. The real picture is, it will take some time. Sometimes how fast the outcome happens depends on you.
Start simple. Like one step, two step, three step then pick up the pace. Why jump in front of a big manual and chase you back into deeper fears making you believe you will never come out of it.
”For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.“ – 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV).
Fear does not belong to you, so start stepping out more in faith.
Isolation and Lack of Community:
Tell me if this sounds familiar. A situation breaks out involving numerous individuals. No one is owning up to the cause of the situation, most believe it’s not their fault. Then comes the popular statement in times like these. Can you guess what that statement is?
Before I go there, let’s look at importance of community and fellowship in fostering spiritual growth.
Neglecting fellowship with others, this one can be tricky and in itself dangerous when you allow the enemy to deceive you. The enemy aims to keep us apart because there is power and strength in unity.
We are encouraged not to forsake the assembling (Hebrews 10:25 KJV). When we come together, we should glorify God, advance his kingdom, grow, strengthen ourselves, relationships, neighborhoods, communities, churches and nation and so on.
Throughout all these, your spiritual neglect can have a big impact not only on your life and business but everyone else who is and can be connected to you. Imagine all of us losing income because we neglect our spiritual life.
Ok, back to that popular statement, did anything come to mind? Here it is ….“You see why I does don’t mess with no one!” That’s the plot to keep us all in our own corner and world. We have so many break downs in our communities and it’s hurting all of us.
I am reminding you that connecting with like-minded believers and seeking support from mentors or spiritual leaders will benefit us all. Imagine the spin of it can bring to our businesses when we intentionally look out for one another’s interests.
Overcoming Barriers to Spiritual Growth:
I went through all of that to get here. I need you, and I’m also talking to myself to prioritize spiritual growth as a foundational aspect of your entrepreneurial journey.
You are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33 KJV). Throughout all the demands and pressures, we are still required to do this. There’s no “..but what if”, that can justify an excuse to get around this.
You must be intentional and create the times to consistently integrate spiritual disciplines into daily routines and business practices. It all must become a lifestyle, for prayer, reading and studying of the word, worship, being a witness, worship, serving & giving.
I must say, don’t let it become just a traditional ritual but continually aim to learn, grow and show in all aspects of your life.
Make sure you are involved in some in your local church.
Here’s a quick resource:
Inspiring Quotes Plus – A devotional to keep you motivated & focused
If it’s spiritual growth you desire, you must be willing to fight for it. As long as there is a real enemy, then expect opposition and distractions.
So, you have to face the giants that may arise. The giants stand before you and your growth and development, your breakthrough, your victory and a better life of fulfillment. And in case no one mentioned, when you overcome those barriers, you can set the pace for so many others.
So, you are greatly encouraged to identify and then address those obstacles. You Gat This!
See you again soon.
Take care until………and God Bless ya
Need more help to strengthen your faith, spiritual growth and personal development? Make sure Download Free Christian Entrepreneurs & Business Owners Guide to Better Spiritual Growth and Personal Development
