The Greater Grace to Sustain: A Personal Journey in Business Ownership

As a business owner, I can tell you firsthand that the journey is not for the faint of heart. There are days when the excitement of building something from the ground up feels exhilarating, but there are also days when I’ve found myself standing on the edge of a financial and emotional cliff, playing a little game of hokey pokey with my sanity. You know the feeling—one minute you’re feeling like you’ve got this, and the next minute, you’re teetering on the edge of burnout, questioning if you can keep going.

I’ve found myself time and time again balancing on that precipice, wondering if I have the strength to push forward. If I’m being honest, there have been many moments when I’ve thought, “Lord, I actually can’t do it.” And you know what? That’s okay. It’s okay to admit that we need help. It’s okay to acknowledge that we don’t have it all together, and it’s more than okay to lean on God for the strength and grace that will carry us through the highs and lows of owning a business.

Playing Hokey Pokey with the Cliff

The reality is, running a business can be a rollercoaster. There are financial peaks that feel exhilarating and emotional valleys that can feel crushing. I’ve played a game of hokey pokey on more than one occasion, stepping back from the edge of the cliff, only to find myself getting closer again. There are days when I feel like I’m holding it all together, and then there are days when I’m holding on by a thread, just hoping I don’t fall off that cliff.

Maybe you’ve been there too, balancing on that fine line between hope and fear, between progress and setbacks. And in those moments, the weight of it all can feel too much to bear. The late nights, the endless to-do lists, the financial uncertainties, and the emotional toll it takes on you—it's real. And I know I’m not the only one who has had to confront these moments of vulnerability. But here’s the beautiful truth: we don’t have to walk this journey alone.

The Power of Being Real with God

It’s in these vulnerable moments that God asks us to be real with Him. He’s not looking for us to pretend we have it all together. He’s not waiting for us to be “strong enough” to do it on our own. He’s waiting for us to come to Him and admit that we need His help.

I remember a specific time when I was overwhelmed by everything—the business, the people depending on me, the finances, and the weight of all the decisions I had to make. It was in that moment that I finally stopped and said, “God, I can’t do this. I need a greater grace or I need you to release me.”

It was the most honest prayer I could have prayed, and you know what? God met me right there in that place of surrender. He didn’t condemn me for admitting that I was struggling. Instead, He poured out His grace over me, reminding me that I don’t have to carry the burden on my own. That’s the beauty of God’s grace—it’s not about our perfection; it’s about His sufficiency.

Grace That Sustains

When I talk about needing a greater grace, I’m not just talking about the grace to survive a tough day or to make it through a hard week. I’m talking about the grace to sustain me over the long haul—the grace that fills me when I’m running on empty, the grace that gives me wisdom when I feel like I have no answers, and the grace that provides strength when my body and mind are exhausted.

The grace I need isn’t a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing overflow, a steady source of strength and encouragement from God. And every time I find myself back at that edge, feeling like I might fall, God is there to lift me up and remind me that He is enough. His grace is more than sufficient for the journey.

Holding True to the Vision

Running a business isn’t just about the daily grind—it’s about holding true to the vision that God has placed in your heart. That vision is bigger than yourself, and it requires something beyond human strength to bring it to life. But here’s the beautiful truth: God has already factored in all that you are and all that you will become. He has already equipped you with everything you need to fulfill the purpose He’s given you.

There are moments when the weight of the vision feels heavy, when the challenges seem overwhelming, and when I question whether I have what it takes. But in those moments, God gently reminds me that He has already prepared me for this journey. He knew the struggles I’d face, and He knew the strength I’d need—long before I ever took the first step. His calling on your life isn’t a mistake, and He will equip you for every part of it, no matter how daunting the path may seem.

God doesn't ask us to carry the vision alone. He’s already written the story, and He’s with us every step of the way. He will provide the grace, wisdom, and strength we need to stay true to the vision He’s called us to. Every obstacle, every moment of doubt, and every challenge is part of the process of becoming who He has designed us to be. And with His help, we can continue moving forward, trusting that He is faithful to finish what He started.

A Prayer for Greater Grace

Lord, I come before You today with a heart full of gratitude but also with a need. The journey of business ownership has been one of highs and lows, and there have been many times when I’ve felt like I’m standing on the edge, ready to fall.

But I know that I don’t have to carry this burden alone. I need Your greater grace to sustain me. I need Your strength when I’m weak, Your wisdom when I’m uncertain, and Your peace when I’m overwhelmed.

I acknowledge that I can’t do this on my own. But I trust that You are with me, providing everything I need for the journey. Thank You for Your grace that never runs out. Thank You for Your patience, Your love, and Your faithfulness.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Leaning Into Grace

If you’re feeling like I have—standing on the edge, unsure if you can keep going—take heart, my friend. You don’t have to walk this journey alone. We were never meant to carry the weight of it all on our own. There is a grace available to you that will sustain you, no matter how steep the climb or how fierce the storm. Lean into it. Ask for it. And know that, in your weakest moments, God will meet you right where you are. His grace will surround you, His strength will lift you, and He will provide exactly what you need to keep moving forward—because without Him, we cannot move at all.

The beauty of it is this: when we acknowledge that we cannot do this without Him, He is faithful to provide the grace we so desperately need. It is in our surrender, in our admission of weakness, that His strength becomes our foundation. And that grace will carry us through, not just for today, not just for tomorrow, but for the long haul. It’s the grace that makes the impossible possible, that transforms our limitations into opportunities for His power to shine.

Here are some verses that have really helped me hold on, and I pray they encourage you today as you continue on this journey:

Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Let these promises sink deep into your heart, for they are the very foundation on which we stand. And remember, it’s in leaning on Him that we find the strength to keep going. We were never meant to do this alone, and with Him by our side, we can endure anything.

-The Storytellers