“Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid, neither be dismayed. For Jehovah your God is with you in all places where you go.” Joshua 1:9
Arabian Nights Party - Clockwise - Linda, Annie, Michelle (my gorgeous sister), and Princess 'Teju
I was listening to a business owner tell of an unexpected crisis which had hit her company. One of her trusted, senior, and very valuable employees essentially betrayed the values she and her partner espoused. He had been terminated early in the day and within hours a blackmail letter arrived. The former employee had no grounds – she and her partner were on the up and up with all their business practices – but if his letter were seen and the back-story not told it could be disastrous for her company’s reputation and market presence.
What did this business owner do? She called into her office trusted friends and we prayed, and prayed, and prayed some more; while her business partner was in the next room double checking facts, figures and making sure the previous employees claims were unsubstantiated.
While we were praying for her a verse from the first chapter of Joshua came to mind – “Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid, neither be dismayed…” In my usual way I mentally started to break down the verse into “to-do’s.”
• Be Strong
• Have Courage
• Do not Fear
• Do not Dismay
In light of this business owners situation this was a tall order. It would take a God sized dose of faith to be obedient and commit to one of the “to-do’s” – let alone all four!
As I continued praying (in the vent of “oh God, HELP”) more verses came to mind:
• Nehemiah 8:10 “for the joy of the Lord is your strength”
• 1 John 4:18 “perfect love casts out fear”
As thoughts tumbled through my brain I begin to piece together what God was trying to say. Essentially, “Grab hold of my joy, understand and own the love I have for you, and the strength you need is yours, the courage to face obstacles will be given, fear will be driven away and comfort will be administered.”
Wow. I get joy, love and resultant peace; and God takes care of fear, dismay and provides any strength and courage needed! I call that a great deal!
Where do you need to be strong and courageous? Do you have joy and love? How is your peace level? Where do you need to feel God’s presence and have his intervention in your life?
P.S. The business owner didn’t heed the demands, called the employees blackmail for what is was and they withdrew their ultimatum. She is understaffed and putting in long hours to cover the missing employee’s duties but feels God’s justice prevailed.
Updates:
Travel – Everyone is at the home office… today. Next week, August – December is a different story!
Work – Event craziness reigns at The Institute. I counted 10 events this month on the calendar! Between report backs, recruiting for the next cycle, bridal showers, weddings, and birthdays it has been a month of celebrating! Check out the rep facebook page for pictures.
Training - recruitment is underway! Want to learn what God thinks of business – and how to work every day from a kingdom perspective? Check out Repurposing Business Training.
Personally – I turn 40 this month. On the 9th the Johnson’s and several of my close friends threw a surprise Arabian Night Birthday Party for me… all I can say is WOW! I was so overwhelmed and deeply touched by not only the party itself but by those who caught a plane, drove a long way and / or put sweat and effort into making it happen. Thank you!
Requests:
Work – Recruiting, recruiting, recruiting! Trip to Texas next week with work.
Vacation – Short retreat with a few friends to Coronado, California for my birthday and hoping to get to Seattle at some point to visit my parents.
Life – Noodling the book concept, trying to get a greater understanding of what it means to “work from rest,” and trying to keep up with the Johnsons!
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