As Christian women in business, we are often faced with the notion of work-life balance. It seems that we always have to consider a family sacrifice or a relationship sacrifice or social media sacrifice to name a few, in order to start and grow our business. While those are important sacrifices to consider, the REAL question that’s addressed in the blog is what are you willing to lay at the altar? Are you willing to sacrifice your one and only son—or that thing you thought you couldn’t live without? That’s a much more profound question and perhaps an even bigger sacrifice.

We will explore 5 key areas that you may need to consider a sacrifice in as you start and build your business.

Pride for Christian Women

What if you have to return to a job you left, vowing never to go back? What if you have to take a position that is beneath the salary that you are accustomed to make in order to start your business? Would taking some financial steps backward be such a blow to your ego that you would not be able to do it? What if God was challenging you in that area? Would you be able to take a step backwards in order to move forward with your faith-based business? These are questions that you have to consider as a new business owner or someone who wants to scale and grow their business.

Additionally, we have to be aware of the emotional and mental toll this could take on us if we have to make this type of personal sacrifice. However, it may just be what you need to do to get our business to grow.

Overcoming What Other People Think

If you are a serial entrepreneur and you find yourself trying many different businesses, starting many different groups (been there; done that; can write a book on it), starting many different websites only to make another change, you may have to lay at the altar what other people think.

We live in a society where social media dictates our lives (if we allow it), with critics omnipresent online. As a Christian business owner, you may have to put on some blinders as you continue to explore where you want to grow to in your business. This is especially true if you did not have role models in your family that can welcome you into the business world with open arms. As a first-generation Christian entrepreneur in your family, you might navigate this journey by trial and error. You may have to push what other people think out of your mind in order to do God’s will for your business.

Being Broke Broke

Numerous entrepreneurs, particularly women, embark on starting a business with no capital. If that’s you, you may also feel in your heart that God is leading you forward in this area. You may have to lay all of your finances at the altar and really lean into God to bless you as you get started because at the start, for most, there is no sustainable money to keep you going, but you have to keep going anyway!

Additionally, the public can see a great website or a great product or service, but in reality, you may not be making any money at the beginning. You may be hustling and grinding and not seeing the fruit of your labor or you may have to go through long season without the income that you need. You will absolutely have to lay this at the altar.

The Emotional Roller Coaster for Christian Women in Business

I firmly believe that God does not desire for us to sacrifice our emotional or mental wellbeing for any reason, especially not for a business. I believe that if we find ourselves on an emotional roller coaster (as you absolutely will when you are starting a business), you may have to get some help in order to get through. That can look like professional therapy. That may need to find a group with other Christians in business. That may mean a spiritual mentor. Whatever it may look like to you, get the help you need because the roller coaster is real and there will absolutely be ups and downs as you grow your business.

Also, this emotional roller coaster can happen because of other people. You may be expecting people to do what they say they are going to do financially and they change their minds. This can be very hard to deal with especially if you needed the money for your business. You may be counting on people that don’t come through for you, and this can be challenging. What’s most important is to be aware that this can happen and not let it hold you back in your business. Lay it at the altar.

Being Wrong

Being wrong can be extremely challenging for new business owners. Learning from your business errors can be very difficult especially if you have to have to take steps back or go in a different direction. You may find that you spent money in an area that was either a poor return on your investment or no return on your investment. You may have trusted a product or service and not gotten what you expected in return. You could have gone into business with someone that stole from you. Whatever the situation, will you be able to admit that you were wrong, stop, and start heading in the right direction regardless of the reason why you were wrong.

Being wrong can be very challenging for people who are new to business because it’s not always easy to be excited about the direction you are heading only to find out that something is wrong. But, having the courage to lay it at the altar can be the difference maker and the longer you wait, the longer it will take for your business to shine.

Conclusion

Keep in mind that sometimes, God is waiting for you to lay your cares at the altar so that He can be God. Don’t keep yourself from growing because you didn’t have the courage to do something different. If you are able to make these REAL sacrifices, I truly believe God will be glorified.

For more on this topic, click the link below to listen to the podcast.