“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

I am interrupting our communications series for a very urgent message. Yes, we are in a battle against a virus but more so, as Christians in business, we are in a profoundly serious battle in the spiritual realm.

The world is fighting for human lives and financial stabilization, but we as Christians are on a different battlefield. Yes, we do and should concern ourselves with the things of the world, but we need to put on our spiritual glasses. Our enemies are not flesh and blood but the principalities of this world. Let me give you a glimpse of what we have been seeing as we endeavor to keep our business on a solid foundation of God’s principles and as we continue to pray for the businesses who are a part of our Shepherd’s Guide family.

As we go into the second wave of this COVID virus, with more stringent guidelines being handed down by the government and medical professionals, we are or could be going into the second wave of exhaustion, hopelessness, fear, and doubt. This is a harder season than the first wave because we haven’t had time to catch our breath from the last round, nor have we had a chance to rest our minds and create our resilience plan.  I think you would all agree with this and you can probably see your actions and reactions in your business being played out as you hold on to this exhaustion and hopelessness. What if I told you that is right where your enemy wants you to be? Your focus is now on losing the battle and not on fighting. Remember the words of Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have won the race.”

We are here to tell you the battle is yet to be won; the opportunities for your success are huge. You have an impenetrable suit of armor and wisdom from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. So, I am asking you to trust our King! All you need to do is shine up your armor and be ready to put it on every day. “I believe you do!” Then create a battle plan to take to our King and ask for his input, change what you must then run to perform it.

Let me share with you some of the wisdom God has shared with us for our battle plan. Firstly, and most importantly, you only lose if you give up.

• Speak to your enemy in the name of Jesus and cast him out of your business dealings. Once he is gone you need to fill that space with the presence of God and actions that will ensure success. If you don’t, he will come back and take up that empty space again.
• Take these quiet times in your business to create systems that streamline your work and make you much more productive.
• Review your product line – is there something to add or something to get rid of.
• Help your team to have hope. Let them see your vision for the future.
• Your team has great ideas and now they have time to give you input on how to do things more efficiently, listen, and explore that with them.
• This is a time to sell more, don’t believe that your clients are not looking to buy.
• Do what you can to help your clients succeed in this time. You want them there when we come out of this season.
• Take the extra time to pray and be refreshed so you are battle-ready. Do not only pray for yourself, but also pray for your team, for your suppliers, and for other Christians in business.
• Look after your health – you need your energy and strength for the battle.
• Keep your family and friends close, make the phone calls, text, email, face time whatever it takes to not let the enemy have a foothold. He hates unity, strive to have it in your business, and in your personal circles.