Be Careful What You Trust God For

A few weeks ago I met with two older Christian men who own a good sized business. They lost four major customers in the last few years. After a lifetime of hard work the business was failing. They each had sizable savings and other investments so this wouldn't be a personal hardship. Nevertheless they were worried about their employees and family, who worked in the business.

I don't do business consulting anymore. But these two partners of close to 30 years were not getting along, blaming each other. It felt like to me they were spending more energy looking back than working together to fix the business.

But when one of the men said "We're trusting God to save our business," my ears perked up. "What do you mean by that?" I asked. "Well, we don't know what else to do so we're begging God to save our business."

"So what if he doesn't save your business? Will you consider God untrustworthy?" I asked. "No, of course not," they quickly responded. "Then what do you mean you're trusting God to save your business?"

They weren't really sure how to answer that question. Like most Christians, over the years they had just picked up Christianeze, words, phrases, and ideas Christians use all the time that either aren't true, or aren't applicable in every circumstance. Like, "Train up a child in the way they shall go and they will not depart from it." -Proverbs 22:6. I know all kids and adult children brought up in a great Christian homes who have "departed" from true Christian faith.

Back to the two men sitting in front of me. "I urge you both to beg God daily for wisdom, insights, creativity, and favor and that each of you would treat each other with love and respect. But God hasn't promised anyone he'd save their business, marriage, or their children. It's your job to use every natural and spiritual experience and gifts you have to solve the problems in your business and not waste time and energy blaming each other, which is a sin. That is God's will for you."

Neither man said anything for a few awkward seconds. "Where do we start?" One of them asked, "start by confessing and asking each other to forgive you for the things said to each other about the other person, to employees, or family members. Then start praying for each other and end with praying for unity, peace, and wisdom."

They spent the next 30 minutes tearfully confessing how they let the pressure of the business be a terrible witness to their employees, how they gossiped about each other, before the prayer time had ended one of them stood up and embraced the other in tears.

That was the will of God for that day for them, and they obeyed. Is there anyone in your life with whom you need to meet to confess and pray for their good? That is the will of God for you.