In this series on entrepreneurial idols, I shared one of my own, then shared the 6 common idols that entrepreneurs face.
If you’ve identified an idol in your business, here’s my suggestion on how to break through it. I used this in my own life to help put God first. This is based on the 4 R’s.
Step #1 – Reveal
Awareness is the first step and you need to uncover what idols you’re currently worshipping. This blog post may have helped make you aware, but now it’s time to ask yourself questions so you can get clear on the distractions in your business.
In his book, Counterfeit Gods, Timothy Keller says that you can ask yourself these 3 questions to help identify idols in your business:
- What occupies your mind? Think about the things that you obsess on day and night.
- What do you spend your money on? When my bookeeper did my books, I was shocked to see that a majority of my income goes to food and domain names. Whatever you spend your money on the most is typically the idol in your life. Review your statements to find the pattern.
- How do you react to prayers unanswered? If you’ve asked God for something and it doesn’t come to pass even after petitioning the throne, do you get angry and fall into depression or do you, as Timothy states in his book, get sad, then move on?
Step #2 – Repent
Once the idols have been revealed, it’s time to ask God for forgiveness. You also need to ask God to cover you with His strength. Say this short prayer:
“Heavenly Father, I confess my idol of ____________________ [insert name of idol]. I loved and worshipped this idol instead of worshipping You. I ask, dear Lord, that You not only remove this stronghold from my life and business, but that You also help me to stay true to Your love. Amen.”
Step #3 – Refresh
Make joyful noise! You have asked God to remove the idol in your life and you’ve been wrapped in His love. You need to continually renew your mind (Romans 12:2) and consult with God daily so you can face all future attacks together. In fact, Keller states in his book that “repentance without rejoicing will lead to despair.”
If you crave to understand how to make time with God a daily habit, watch this 20-minute clip by Pastor Dwight K. Nelson called A New Way to Pray. Pastor Nelson’s clips were instrumental in helping me heal my relationship with God.
Step #4 – Rest
When we feel that we’ve experienced a breakthrough, we start to busy ourselves with things we believe God is calling us to do. But, it’s not time to get busy, it’s time to be silent and listen. When Martha opened her home to Jesus and his disciples, she went into her home and busied herself making a meal for her visitors. Her sister, Mary, on the other hand, sat at Jesus’ feet to listen to all he had to say.
Naturally, Martha was furious with her sister and demanded that Jesus ask Mary to help her prepare. Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the better task. Mary chose to rest in Jesus and listen. God wants your time, not for you to be busy with stuff. Rest in His promises, rest in His word and wait for instructions (2 Timothy 2:15).
Final Thoughts
If your business has stalled, you don’t need to invest in another blueprint, secret or guru. Instead, invest time in your Heavenly Father and use the 4 Rs as your guide to heal your heart, your weary soul and your connection to Someone bigger than you.
