It didn’t feel like war. The stakes didn’t seem that high. It was a small choice, made on a whim, and in the big scheme of life what difference would it make?
The Daily Battle
The battleground was my bed, and at 4:30 am my alarm announced that the fight had begun. It was the time I’d set aside to work on my business. Non-urgent but important things needed my attention.
I ignored the piercing sound, burrowed into my foxhole, and pulled the pillow over my head. The war could wait for one more day.
No big deal, right?
Wrong.
I’d abandoned my post. Ignored my orders. Missed a strategic opportunity to equip Christian coaches with practical skills that would help them succeed.
I snoozed through my chance to help change the world.
Marketing is War
Marketing is war! A spiritual fight with measurable consequences. And the enemy is prowling about seeking unsuspecting coaches to devour. He wants to keep us from living out our callings, fulfilling our purposes and impacting God’s kingdom.
But this is a war we can win. And the battle begins in our minds.
Fight Back
Here are three steps to help you launch your counterattack today:
1. Recognize the lie.
Every new business venture struggles with down times. It’s normal. It’s natural. But it’s also a season that Satan exploits to plant his insidious lies.
Have you heard him lately?
- It’s too hard.
- You’re not good enough.
- This will never work.
- Just give up.
These lies are effective because they sound so true. But listen carefully… that is not your Shepherd whispering in your ear.
God is loving, kind, and fulfills the calling He has laid on our lives.
2. Renew your mind.
When Jesus entered the wilderness, the temptations were fierce, but victory was sure. Why? Because He quoted Scripture to each and every challenge. And with our embattled marketing mindsets, that’s our weapon as well.
- I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
- My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
- With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God. Mark 10:37
- Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Satan’s lies have to flee when we strike back with the white-hot sword of God’s truth.
3. Repeat often.
Every year when I take my poodle, Bob, to the vet, the doctor says, “His teeth look horrible. Have you brushed them?” To which I confidently reply, “I have.”
“Once.”
The vet isn’t amused.
For Bob to have clean, sparkling teeth, I would have to brush them every day. Tarter is constantly warring and winning, because I don’t habitually scrape it away.
Likewise, we must get in the habit of scouring business-killing thoughts away.
Daily application of God’s truth will keep our minds armed and clean.
Your Weapons
Write these truths on 3×5 cards. Hang them on the wall. Use them as screen savers on your computer. Memorize them, and inscribe them on your heart.
Start Today
The perfect time to fulfill our callings will never come. Waiting until we are in the mood for hard work kills many a dream. Confidence and competence don’t appear in advance.
This is war, and the battle has already begun. You and only you are uniquely equipped to fulfill the role God’s called you to fill.
Tomorrow when the alarm rings, when it’s time to do that very hard thing, recite God’s truth, step out in faith, stand back and watch what your God will do.
It Your Turn
What is one of the discouraging thoughts that Satan whispers in your ear? What is God’s truth?
Download the free, printable Scripture Promises for Coaches to begin banishing discouraging thoughts today.
Sometimes when I think about what God wants me to do, I physically feel my stomach turn. I feel so inadequate for the task. I often compare myself to Gideon and what he was called to do for the Lord. He was utterly inadequate and under-sourced, yet God used him to defeat the Midianites. This is how God shines, using the inadequate, broken people of the world to do extraordinary things.
I agree. It seems like life is a David and Goliath fight all the way, with me being David of course. Except that when I look up at the giant, I see God’s standing right behind him, and I know that everything is going to be okay :).
Sometimes when I think about what God wants me to do, I physically feel my stomach turn. I feel so inadequate for the task. I often compare myself to Gideon and what he was called to do for the Lord. He was utterly inadequate and under-sourced, yet God used him to defeat the Midianites. This is how God shines, using the inadequate, broken people of the world to do extraordinary things.
I agree. It seems like life is a David and Goliath fight all the way, with me being David of course. Except that when I look up at the giant, I see God’s standing right behind him, and I know that everything is going to be okay :).
GREAT blog, Kim. I know it is a marketing blog, but it so applicable to everything in life, actually.
God wants us out there making a difference in our world. In our sphere of influence. And satan wants the opposite. Thanks for the great illustrations. Laughed right out loud at the dog teeth brushing illustration. Yes. Once. Thanks for the “Warfare” illustration too. It is easy to forget that this world is not our home and that we are indeed in a war. Wielding the SWORD WITH you, Miss Kim! Thanks for being part of my life!!!
You are so welcome, Pam. I’m thankful to have a tender warrior like you fighting by my side.
GREAT blog, Kim. I know it is a marketing blog, but it so applicable to everything in life, actually.
God wants us out there making a difference in our world. In our sphere of influence. And satan wants the opposite. Thanks for the great illustrations. Laughed right out loud at the dog teeth brushing illustration. Yes. Once. Thanks for the “Warfare” illustration too. It is easy to forget that this world is not our home and that we are indeed in a war. Wielding the SWORD WITH you, Miss Kim! Thanks for being part of my life!!!
You are so welcome, Pam. I’m thankful to have a tender warrior like you fighting by my side.
Kim! Thank you for this post today!! It really confirmed what I said to my coach today! There are lies I am believing that I need to address. The one thing that the Enemy doesn’t want is for my husband and I to succeed in coaching families toward stronger relationships with one another and with God.
I would like to add 2 verses that we can use to combat these lies.
1. Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
2. Ephesians 3:20-21 – Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Great verses, Kara. Thank you so much for adding them to our list!
Kim! Thank you for this post today!! It really confirmed what I said to my coach today! There are lies I am believing that I need to address. The one thing that the Enemy doesn’t want is for my husband and I to succeed in coaching families toward stronger relationships with one another and with God.
I would like to add 2 verses that we can use to combat these lies.
1. Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
2. Ephesians 3:20-21 – Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Great verses, Kara. Thank you so much for adding them to our list!
Thanks Kim, for putting this out. It was exactly what I needed to “hear” today. Thank you for being God’s tool to get through to me today.
Hi Dale – Thank YOU for taking the time to share. It’s a blessing to know that other coaches are out there fighting the good fight of faith.
Thanks Kim, for putting this out. It was exactly what I needed to “hear” today. Thank you for being God’s tool to get through to me today.
Hi Dale – Thank YOU for taking the time to share. It’s a blessing to know that other coaches are out there fighting the good fight of faith.
Thank you Kim for writing this blog. The enemy has been attacking me about my business and that it is not growing daily .Discouraging me not to read a business book, write my blog, work on contacts, or even step out and join a Toastmasters group. Every day he tells me that I am not a good coach or that my business is a failure and I should just give up. But then God shows me my current clients and the impact I am making in their lives; helping them change habits as well as their families and their families futures. Thank you again for the scriptures and your advise. I will take it by heart – let the battle begin 🙂
Hi Katharina,
I’m so glad that you are aware of what the enemy is up to. He stays busy at my house, too, but like you I’m determined that through God’s power I’m going to stay the course, fight the fight and finish strong for love of our Lord.
May God bless you as you move forward in building your coaching business and partnering with God to change lives.
Thank you Kim for writing this blog. The enemy has been attacking me about my business and that it is not growing daily .Discouraging me not to read a business book, write my blog, work on contacts, or even step out and join a Toastmasters group. Every day he tells me that I am not a good coach or that my business is a failure and I should just give up. But then God shows me my current clients and the impact I am making in their lives; helping them change habits as well as their families and their families futures. Thank you again for the scriptures and your advise. I will take it by heart – let the battle begin 🙂
Hi Katharina,
I’m so glad that you are aware of what the enemy is up to. He stays busy at my house, too, but like you I’m determined that through God’s power I’m going to stay the course, fight the fight and finish strong for love of our Lord.
May God bless you as you move forward in building your coaching business and partnering with God to change lives.