How to be courageous like Elijah | Biblical Wisdom for Christian Entrepreneurs

Summary

The video script discusses overcoming fear and impostor syndrome in personal branding and business, drawing inspiration from the biblical story of Elijah. It emphasizes the importance of standing out, the reality of feeling alone despite unseen allies, and the value of a hidden life of faithfulness. It also highlights the significance of recognizing when to rest and recharge, just as Elijah was guided to do, to maintain physical and mental health in the entrepreneurial journey.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Overcoming Fear: The speaker emphasizes that fear and impostor syndrome are common struggles when putting oneself out there, especially in business, and draws inspiration from the story of Elijah in the Bible.
• 🔍 Realizing You're Not Alone: The story of Elijah teaches that even when it feels like everyone else has succumbed to the prevailing culture, there are others who share your beliefs, and you're not as alone as you think.
• 🏞 Embracing Solitude: Elijah's experience in the wilderness shows the value of solitude and the importance of standing out or standing alone for what you believe in, even when it's challenging.
• 🙏 Trusting in God's Provision: The narrative illustrates that even in times of despair and fear, God provides for our needs, as shown when an angel provides food for Elijah.
• 📈 Success Can Be Silent: The speaker points out that success in business or personal branding isn't always about having a large following or public recognition; sometimes it's about the silent, steady progress.
• 🚫 Avoiding Comparison: It's important not to compare oneself to others with larger platforms or followings, as their success might not be as impactful or profitable as it appears.
• 💡 The Importance of Rest: The speaker shares a personal tip that sometimes the best thing to do is to take a break, rest, and start again the next day, as illustrated by Elijah's rest under the broom tree.
• 🔑 Prioritizing Faith: The story highlights the importance of faith and standing by one's beliefs, even when it feels like it's not the popular or profitable choice.
• 🛑 Knowing When to Pause: The speaker suggests that recognizing when to stop working and take a break is crucial to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• 🌱 Growth in Isolation: The script suggests that periods of isolation or obscurity can be powerful for personal and spiritual growth, as well as for developing deeper connections with God.
• 💼 Balancing Work and Self-Care: The importance of not neglecting physical health and self-care while being an entrepreneur or working in a knowledge-based field is underscored by the script.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video script discussing?

The main theme of the video script is overcoming fear and impostor syndrome to effectively promote one's products, services, and personal brand, drawing inspiration from the biblical story of Elijah.

Why does the speaker believe the story of Elijah is inspiring for those struggling with fear and impostor syndrome?

The speaker believes the story of Elijah is inspiring because it demonstrates how Elijah faced fear, stood out despite opposition, and found strength in solitude, which can motivate others to be courageous and make an impact in their businesses.

What biblical passage does the speaker reference to illustrate Elijah's fear and isolation?

The speaker references 1 Kings 19:3-4, where Elijah, feeling alone and overwhelmed, prays to die and is then ministered to by an angel, illustrating his fear and isolation.

According to the speaker, why do some people feel like the only Christian in their professional space?

Some people feel like the only Christian in their professional space because they perceive a lack of others expressing similar beliefs, and they may also choose to keep their faith quiet, fearing it might be seen as inappropriate or unprofessional.

What lesson does the speaker learn from Elijah's experience of being hidden by the Brook Cherith?

The lesson learned from Elijah's experience is the value of intimacy with God, dependence on divine provision, and the importance of a hidden life of faithfulness, which teaches humility, obedience, and trust in God's sovereignty.

Why does the speaker suggest that having a large online following does not necessarily equate to business success?

The speaker suggests that a large online following does not guarantee business success because followers may not be engaged or believe in what is being sold, and there are profitable businesses with smaller, more engaged audiences that are not as visible.

What advice does the speaker give for dealing with feelings of isolation in the entrepreneurial journey?

The speaker advises turning to the Bible for inspiration, recognizing that feelings of isolation are not unique, and that sometimes what is needed is a period of hiddenness to deepen one's relationship with God and focus on personal growth.

What does the speaker imply about the relationship between external accomplishments and significance in God's kingdom?

The speaker implies that significance and impact in God's kingdom are not measured by external accomplishments or recognition but by the depth of one's relationship with God and the faithful stewardship of the calling entrusted to them.

How does the speaker relate the biblical account of Elijah's rest and nourishment to the needs of entrepreneurs?

The speaker relates the account by emphasizing the importance of rest and taking care of physical needs for entrepreneurs, suggesting that God cares about such details and that rest is essential for maintaining health and productivity.

What practical advice does the speaker offer for entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed or stuck?

The speaker advises entrepreneurs to recognize when to stop for the day, take a break, and not to push themselves to the point of burnout, suggesting that sometimes the best solution is to rest and start fresh the next day.

What quote does the speaker attribute to Einstein, and how does it relate to the script's theme?

The speaker attributes the quote, 'You can't solve a problem with the same mind that created it,' to Einstein, relating it to the theme by suggesting that stepping away from a problem and resting can provide a fresh perspective and lead to a solution.

Outlines

00:00

😇 Overcoming Fear and Imposter Syndrome Through Faith

The speaker begins by addressing the common struggles of fear and impostor syndrome, particularly in the context of building a personal brand and selling digital products. They draw a parallel between their own experiences and the biblical story of Elijah, who faced adversity and fear during a time of widespread idolatry in Israel. The speaker emphasizes the importance of courage and conviction in the face of cultural pressures, as exemplified by Elijah's journey. They also hint at a personal 'hack' that they used before becoming a Christian, which later found validation in scripture, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for this revelation. The summary touches on the themes of standing out, not being afraid to be alone, and finding strength in one's faith, even when it seems like everyone else is going in a different direction.

05:01

🤔 The Illusion of Social Media Success and the Value of Hidden Work

This paragraph delves into the misconceptions of success as portrayed by social media, where large followings do not necessarily equate to profitability or engagement. The speaker argues that there are many profitable businesses that operate without the fanfare of social media, drawing a comparison to the biblical figure of Elijah, who despite his significant influence, was instructed by God to retreat and hide. The purpose of this retreat was to foster a deeper relationship with God, emphasizing the importance of a hidden life of faithfulness. The speaker uses this to illustrate the value of humility, obedience, and trust in God's sovereignty, suggesting that true strength and effectiveness stem from a deep connection with one's faith, rather than external recognition or accomplishments.

10:01

🛌 Embracing Rest and the Power of Isolation in Personal Growth

The final paragraph focuses on the importance of rest and the power of isolation in personal growth and creativity. The speaker shares a personal anecdote of feeling isolated and alone, which ultimately led to a deeper relationship with God and the development of their digital products business. They draw a connection to the biblical narrative of Elijah, who was physically cared for by God before embarking on a significant journey, highlighting the importance of physical health and rest. The speaker encourages entrepreneurs to recognize when to step away from work and rest, using the quote from Einstein about the inability to solve a problem with the same mindset that created it. The summary concludes with the message that God cares for the details of our lives, including our physical well-being, and that rest is a crucial component of productivity and problem-solving.

Keywords

💡Fear

Fear in the video script refers to the anxiety or apprehension that can prevent individuals from taking risks or promoting themselves in business. It is a significant barrier to personal growth and business success. The script uses the story of Elijah to illustrate how fear can be overcome, as he initially felt fear and fled for his life, but later stood up against the worship of pagan gods.

💡Impostor Syndrome

Impostor Syndrome is the feeling of inadequacy and the fear of being exposed as a 'fraud' despite evidence of success. The script mentions this concept to highlight a common struggle that people face when trying to establish themselves in their fields, suggesting that overcoming this fear is essential for personal branding and selling products or services.

💡Personal Brand

A personal brand is the image or identity that an individual projects, particularly in professional or public settings. The script discusses building a personal brand online and how fear and impostor syndrome can hinder this process. It suggests that overcoming these obstacles is crucial for putting oneself out there and making an impact.

💡Elijah

Elijah is a biblical figure used in the script as a symbol of courage and faith. His story is highlighted to inspire viewers to overcome their fears and to stand out, even when it feels like they are alone. The script references specific events from Elijah's life, such as his fear and flight, and his eventual strength and obedience to God's commands.

💡Courage

Courage, as discussed in the script, is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty or danger without fear. It is portrayed as a necessary trait for those building a business and making an impact, as exemplified by Elijah's confrontation of King Ahab and the declaration of a drought.

💡Zeal

Zeal in the context of the script refers to the passionate commitment and enthusiasm for a cause or belief. It is illustrated through Elijah's actions, where he zealously serves the Lord and confronts the people of Israel for their idolatry, showing the importance of standing by one's beliefs even in the face of opposition.

💡Isolation

Isolation is the state of being alone or separated from others. The script uses Elijah's time in the wilderness and the period of hiddenness as examples of isolation that can be powerful for personal growth and deepening one's relationship with God. It also relates to the speaker's own experience of isolation during a period of personal and business development.

💡Hidden Life

A hidden life, as mentioned in the script, refers to the private, often unseen aspects of one's life that are dedicated to personal growth, faith, or other pursuits. It is contrasted with public recognition and external accomplishments, emphasizing the importance of a deep, intimate relationship with God and personal development over public persona.

💡Humility

Humility is the quality of being modest and not overly proud or self-assertive. The script discusses how Elijah's period of hiddenness taught him humility, obedience, and trust in God's sovereignty, suggesting that true strength and effectiveness come from a deep-rooted connection to God rather than external recognition.

💡Rest

Rest in the script is the concept of taking a break or pause from work or stress. It is highlighted as essential for physical and mental well-being, using the biblical story of Elijah resting under the broom tree and being instructed by an angel to eat and regain strength. The script encourages viewers to recognize the importance of rest in preventing burnout and maintaining productivity.

💡Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is the process of designing, launching, and running a new business, which is a central theme in the script. The challenges and fears associated with entrepreneurship are discussed, as well as the need for courage, humility, and a strong personal brand. The script provides insights and inspiration for entrepreneurs to overcome their fears and build successful businesses.

Highlights

Fear and impostor syndrome can hinder personal branding and selling products or services.

The story of Elijah in the Bible is used as an inspiration to overcome fear and stand out.

Elijah's experience in 1 Kings 19:3 shows that even prophets can feel afraid and alone.

An angel's intervention provided Elijah with physical sustenance and encouragement to continue his journey.

Elijah's dialogue with God in 1 Kings 19 reveals his sense of isolation despite not being the only faithful one.

There were 7,000 others in Israel who remained faithful but were unknown to Elijah due to their silence.

Success can be silent and lonely, especially in the digital age where large followings don't always equate to sales.

Elijah's story teaches the importance of a deep relationship with God over external recognition.

Elijah's period of hiddenness allowed him to deepen his relationship with God and learn humility and trust.

Isolation can be powerful for personal and spiritual growth, as experienced by the speaker during a period of loss.

Physical health and rest are important for entrepreneurs and are exemplified by God's care for Elijah.

Sometimes taking a break and starting again the next day is the best approach to problem-solving.

Einstein's quote about not solving a problem with the same mindset that created it is relevant to entrepreneurship.

The speaker's personal experience with isolation led to spiritual growth and the development of a digital products business.

Accepting the need for rest and distraction is crucial to avoid burnout and maintain productivity.

Transcripts

if you feel like fear and impostor

syndrome are holding you back from

putting yourself out there selling your

products and services pitching that

client just know that you are far from

alone this is something that I have

struggled with tremendously since first

starting to put myself out there online

and build a personal brand and sell

digital courses that's why I know the

story of Elijah in the Bible is going to

be so inspiring for you it's going to

help you push past any fears you have

about putting yourself out there

speaking your truth being courageous all

the things that are necessary in

building a business and just making an

impact in general and make sure that you

stay till the end because I'm going to

share with you something that I had been

doing before I became a Christian and

read the Bible but then when I found out

it was actually backed up by scripture

it became that much more powerful and

really validated it for me so stay tuned

until the end for that hack okay so

here's the first thing we could learn

from Elijah number one stop being afraid

to stand out to be set apart or to even

stand alone the book of Kings tells us

about a time in Israel where so many

evil Kings had risen to power everything

seemed really dark and it seemed like

everybody was worshiping pagan gods

idolatry was running rampant and it just

seemed like the culture had moved in

that direction this is from 1 Kings

19:3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his

life he went to beerseba a town in Judah

and he left his servant

there then he went on alone Into the

Wilderness traveling all day he sat down

under a solit broom tree and prayed that

he might die I've had enough Lord he

said take my life for I am no better

than my ancesters who have already died

then he lay down and slept under the

broom tree but as he was sleeping an

angel touched him and told him get up

and eat he looked around and there

beside his head was some bread baked on

hot stones and a jar of water so he ate

and drank and lay down again then the

angel of the Lord came again and touched

him and said get up and eat some more or

the journey ahead of you will be too

much for you so he got up and ate and

drank and the food gave him enough

strength to travel 40 days and 40 nights

to Mount Si the Mountain of God there he

came to a cave where he slept the night

later in the verse where the Lord speaks

to Elijah it says but the Lord said to

him what are you doing here Elijah in

verse 10 Elijah says I have zealously

serve the Lord God Almighty but the

people of Israel have broken their

Covenant with you torn down your altar

ERS and killed every one of your

prophets I am the only one left and now

they are trying to kill me too now down

further in verse 18 the Lord says yet I

will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who

have never bound down to Baal or kissed

him so as you can see from this verse

actually Elijah wasn't alone and God was

letting him know that this Bible

commentary Meer says about 1 Kings 17

the whole land seemed apostate of all

the thousands of isra Israel only 7,000

remained who had not bowed the knee or

kissed the hand to Baal but they were

paralyzed with fear and kept so still

that their very existence was Unknown by

Elijah in the hour of his great

loneliness so how often do we feel like

we're alone that nobody can relate to

what we believe in or what we're going

through the reason why Elijah felt so

alone during this time period is because

all of the people who had not

participated in baale warship weren't

speaking out they were quiet about their

faith and actually feels that way very

much so to be a Christian today in the

business World especially in my field

being a copywriter in the technology

space being in the Creator space being

in the freelance space it seems like

everybody kind of has very similar

political leanings belief systems that

have nothing to do with Christianity and

you might feel like you're the only

Christian in your space in your

profession in your industry and I know

that I'm definitely guilty of acting

like the 7,000 that did not speak up I

know when I first started my business I

had no intention of speaking up about my

faith I really just thought it was

inappropriate to talk about quote

unquote religion that was before I

really grew in my walk with God and

realized that it's not about religion

it's about a relationship with Jesus and

preaching the word and I eventually

realized that trying to fit in and

trying to keep my faith which is so

Paramount to who I am trying to keep it

under wraps was actually blocking my

ability to connect with other people

this third principle that I learned from

Elijah is that success is times silent

and it can even be lonely nowadays we

tend to be fascinated and obsessed with

people with large followings and if you

are someone who's out there who is

marketing your business starting a

personal brand expressing yourself

online in some sort of creative way it

can feel like what is even the point

when these people have so many more

followers than me they have such a

bigger platform than I do it can really

get discouraging to the point where

you're wondering is it even worth it but

what I want you to keep in mind is that

sometimes people with really big

followings on online don't know how to

sell anything you don't know what's

going on behind someone's business you

can't see the success that they're

having unless you actually have access

to their tax returns and their income

reports there's people with really large

followings and that following is not

super engaged or doesn't believe in what

they're selling or what they're

promoting and therefore they don't make

a ton of money they're not engaging with

that audience in the way that it may

look from the outside meanwhile there's

really solid profitable businesses out

there who you might have never heard of

because they don't have a social media

in or they don't have that visible

promotion strategy that another person

or a business might have it's kind of

like what they say about truly wealthy

people truly wealthy people aren't

necessarily dressing super flashy and

trying to call a ton of attention to

themselves sometimes that can be a sign

of somebody who is just faking their

wealth anyone in the business and

entrepreneurial world knows how

isolating this road can be and that's

why I think it's so important that we

turn to the Bible to get inspiration and

see that this is not a unque unique

experience there's nothing wrong with us

that sometimes this is actually what we

need at this moment in 1 KS 17 we see

Elijah emerging onto the scene as a

powerful prophet of God particularly in

the way he confronts King Ahab and the

Declaration of a drought upon the land

Elijah's actions and prayers have a

profound impact and pretty much boost

him to a significant figure in Israel

and the fact that he cast this drought

upon the land as sort of like a

punishment he had significant power it

made him a really big figure in Israel

he had the fame and the recognition so

that's why it's super surprising and

unexpected that the scripture says then

the word of the Lord came to him saying

get away from here and turn Eastward and

hide by the Brook cherith which flows

into the Jordan and it will be that you

shall drink from the Brook and I have

commanded the Ravens to feed you there

so he went and did according to the word

of the Lord for he went and stayed by

the Brook cherith which flows into the

Jordan so even though Elijah had

basically developed this new found

prominence God actually instructs him to

retreat and hide and that might seem

counterintuitive especially all the

influence Elijah had in confronting Ahab

and demonstrating this prophetic power

yet God's purpose in leading Elijah into

a period of hiddenness goes beyond just

okay seclusion time it's serves as a

profound lesson in the value of intimacy

with God and the importance of a hidden

life of faithfulness Elijah learns a

crucial lesson about dependence on God

his provision trusting in God's timing

and the depth of his care for God's

Faithful Servants in the Solitude of his

hidden life Elijah gets stripped of all

of the distractions and the accolades of

public recognition allowing him to

deepen his relationship with God and

throughout that period of hiddenness God

taught Elijah the value of humility

obedience and Trust in his sovereignty

instead of relying solely on this public

Persona or the outward manifestations of

this big Ministry Elijah learned to

prioritize his inner life with God and

recognize that true strength and

Effectiveness come from a deep rooted

connection to the one who called him

significance and impact in God's kingdom

are not measured by external

accomplishments or recognition but by

the depth of your relationship with God

and the faith stewardship of the calling

he has entrusted you Elijah's experience

of being hidden serves as a powerful

reminder that even in the moments of

obscurity or moments where you feel

insignificant God is at work shaping and

equipping you as his servant for his

purposes and preparing you to fulfill

your calling with faithfulness and

humility this reminds me of how powerful

isolation can be when we are birthing

something new into the world when I lost

all of my friends in 2020 I felt more

alone than ever but it was actually

during that time when I felt super

isolated depressed low is when I finally

called out to God and accepted Jesus as

Lord and it was in that alone time that

I started building my digital products

business to be honest with you years

later I only feel like now as I've just

moved to Florida I'm finally coming out

of that isolation period and getting out

there and trying to make friends and

socialize and build a community of

people who have similar values and can

support me in my spiritual journey and

vice versa now this is that last tip

that I told you to stick around for

sometimes you really just need a nap a

snack and to start again tomorrow ever

since I became a freelancer ever since I

became self-employed something I've

really abided by is knowing when to call

a day and give up there are times in our

business when we're just very

overwhelmed we're frustrated we can't

figure out a problem and most of us want

to keep plowing ahead and keep trying to

figure it out but the best thing we can

do is really just pause stop everything

we're doing let go of figuring it out

and being productive that day and just

close a laptop and distract yourself

with something not related to work or

the problem you're trying to solve it's

when we keep pushing that we actually

burn ourselves out and get ourselves

further away from the solution we need

to accept that sometimes we need to veg

out on the couch tomorrow is a new day

and we can start from there there's that

quote from Einstein that says you can't

solve Sol a problem with the same mind

that created it then he lay down and

slept under the broom tree but as he was

sleeping an angel touched him and told

him get up and eat he looked around and

there beside his head was some bread

baked on hot stones and a jar of water

so he ate and drank and lay down again

then the angel of the Lord came again

and touched him and said get up and eat

some more or the journey ahead of you

will be too much for you so he got up

and ate and drank and the food gave him

enough strength to travel 40 days and 40

nights to Mount Si the Mountain of God

what I love about this scripture is that

God cared about Elijah's physical needs

he cares about those details and how

many times as entrepreneurs who

especially if we're in this space where

we're just doing knowledge work how

often do we get lost in our heads and we

forget to work out we forget to eat we

forget to take a break and just give our

bodies a rest but God cares about those

things our physical health is not a

small detail it's so important and

that's why God allowed Elijah to rest

before he went out on that 40-day

journey to Mount Si he didn't expect an

immediate recovery so I don't know why

as entrepreneurs we expect to keep

pushing ourselves and that it'll all

work out without rest for more biblical

inspiration and entrepreneur tips you're

going to want to watch this video here