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The Estherpreneur is a weekly chat about doing business and life God’s way. Join your host, Edna Harding as she offers biblical strategies and practical applications to improve your mind, business, spirit, relationships, and finances. Listen along as she talks with guests on how to thrive in all areas of life. Edna is a Wife, Mother, Growth Strategist, Author, Minister, Certified Maxwell Business Consultant and Executive Coach, an accredited Master Mindset Coach, and Speaker whose message of hope, truth, and wisdom reaches people all around the world. FavorandWealth.com Estherpreneur.com
Edna Harding [00:00:03]:
Welcome to Estrepreneur, a podcast for entrepreneurs and leaders doing business and life God's way. Each week, we discuss biblical and to improve your mind, business, spirit, relationships, and finances. Listen along as I speak with special guests on how to thrive in all aspects of life. Hi, I'm Edna. Like many of you, I wear many hats. I'm a military wife, mother, author, certified John Maxwell business and executive coach, trainer, and founder of Favor and Wealth where we help the good guys win. So tune in as we bring on the light. Well, hello, everyone.
Edna Harding [00:00:48]:
Thank you for tuning in for another episode of the Estrepreneur podcast. My name is Edna Harding, and I'm here recording this the night before Good Friday. And, I was gonna take a break this weekend, but I mean, like, this week, but I felt that because of several conversations I've had with clients and friends, I realized that this message is definitely needed. So I hope that as I share what the Lord put on my heart today, that it will encourage you. As you guys might've noticed, the past few episodes have been about storms and interestingly enough, it felt very stormy, in our family's life. Maybe a little over a week ago. Prior to that, it was just one after the other, after the other, after the other. And it was to the point that I had to literally numb the numb, the noise, if it makes sense, numb my flesh and hear what God was saying to me and through me in my dreams, in my time with him.
Edna Harding [00:02:09]:
And I realized it's in preparation for this. Now, as you guys know, I have not new to being, in challenging circumstances. This has been a story of my life since I launched my business in 2014, but it seems like a lot of people now are experiencing what I experienced, more than almost ten years ago, more than ten years ago. No, can't be 2014. No, like about seven or eight years ago. And, it's interesting to see how it's it's kinda coming full circle because a lot of the things that whether if it's someone messaging me on LinkedIn, whether if it's a phone call from a friend, a text from a client, it's stuff that I went through. And I felt very alone and had nowhere to go and didn't understand how to navigate through this storms. And, you know, hindsight is twenty twenty.
Edna Harding [00:03:13]:
I'm actually in the process of, like, finalizing my app. Like, could you guys believe it? I have an app, an Edna Harding app where this was like the last thing that I needed to do. Last major thing that I needed to do as far as what God wanted me to do. And he sent me a divine connection to help me do that. And it's I I, you know, I I wanted to celebrate, because, you know, my clients, one of my clients, paid, a big amount, and it really helped offset some of the expenses I made. And I'm saying all this to say, I realize that I'm over the hump, not to say them all the way out. And I wanna say that, but, oh, I'm just gonna say, I feel like the worst part of my journey is behind me and now I'm stepping into a new era. A good era.
Edna Harding [00:04:16]:
I'm hoping because as you all know, there are seasons in business, there are times to battle there's times to build and, and there's times to rest. And I feel like even though I'm building, I'm resting because it's coming easy. Now, why am I saying all of this to say it's, you know, all of us, even though we are in the same year, the same day, the same earth, we all have different seasons in our businesses. And although I am what I call entering in the harvest phase and leaving the summer season for a season, I don't know how long this season is gonna be, but I'm gonna go ahead and celebrate and thank God that I'm not in that, the struggling season as much, anymore. And, you know, I struggle, and this is just me talking, me being vulnerable. It's sometimes it's so hard to talk about my blessings knowing that there's so many people struggling, but then I also remember the times when I was struggling and I had to learn how to be, be, what do you call it? Joyful for those who are celebrating because I knew my time will come. And so I feel like sometimes, like, you know, I feel bad, especially when God wants me to share, like, some of the things he's done, you know, recently for me to people that are struggling. I'm like, why do I have to say this, God? And it's because he said it's to encourage them that there is better on the other side, but at the same time on my end, I'm like, I remember when I was the one here on the opposite, and I was hearing all these people being blessed, and I'm over here, like, struggling.
Edna Harding [00:05:57]:
And, you know, as much as I wanted a handout that never happened, it was always like just encouragement, just praying for you. And, and now I understand why it's because, you know, you have to pay the price. And just like this leads me to what we're going to be talking about today. It's Jesus paid the price for the ultimate glory for the ultimate victory. And so with good Friday, I thought it would be a good thing to talk about, what, is just, you know, that Good Friday was, you know, on the surface, it looked like loss. It looked like darkness. It looked like defeat. I remember when I was reading the gospels, it's painted how challenging it was for the disciples, for Mary, for the mother, even for Jesus.
Edna Harding [00:06:50]:
Like it was a challenge. And on the surface, it looks like, like it's over, you know, but hidden within the agony of the cross is a strategy, a divine strategy. And that strategy is speaking directly to you and me, whether we know it or not, especially in the trenches of business. So whether you are navigating a season of pressure, pruning, or silence, I want to invite you into a conversation about how good Friday speaks to our business journeys and how the resurrection of Christ, which they call Easter. And I have some friends who don't celebrate Easter. So and I don't really know. I don't know enough to know to to have a point or whether or not, but she doesn't like the holiday Easter. She celebrates resurrection.
Edna Harding [00:07:48]:
And you know who I'm talking to out, my friend. But, how the resurrection is often just beyond the pain. It's kinda like Lazarus. Right? Lazarus is dead for four days before Jesus rose him up. And I felt like I was dead for a while. I felt like my business was dead for a while, but then the resurrection came in right when I thought it was all over, God knew exactly what he needed to do to encourage me and to show me my child I'm with you. And as I look back, you know, in my journey, I'm glad I went through all of those heartaches and pains and struggles because it helped me build solutions for those God is calling me to serve or those God is calling me to deliver from their bondage from Egypt. And so let's go ahead and get started here.
Edna Harding [00:08:42]:
I'm trying to make this short because it is 09:30 already, and this is way past my bedtime. For those of you guys who know me personally, you know that I go to bed at eight. So because I get up at early at three, three thirty. So just bear with me. And I pray that this encourages you. Okay. So first let's talk about the cross. You know, remember good Friday is a day where Jesus gave us life.
Edna Harding [00:09:07]:
He didn't just lose it. He laid it down and not because he failed, but because he loved and in Isaiah 53 verse five, it says, but he was Pierce for our transgressions crushed for our iniquities. And by his wounds, we are healed. The cross wasn't a sign of weakness. Okay. It was actually a gateway to redemption, but the problem is it came with the costs and in business, that's exactly how it feels. We go through seasons that feels like crucifixion, right? You sow generously. You reap nothing.
Edna Harding [00:09:49]:
How many of you guys have sowed many seeds? Hello? I know. I'm like, where is my harvest? Where is my harvest? Another odd thing you do is you pivot, oh, this is gonna be the, this is gonna be the right plan. This is gonna be the right way. This is gonna be the right solution. And then the door closes and nothing, nada, nothing changes. You obey what you believe God told you to do. And yet what happens? It feels like everything is falling apart. Does this sound familiar to any of you guys? Okay.
Edna Harding [00:10:19]:
I know I've been there, wore the t shirt, lots of t shirts done that. Okay. But this is what I want to encourage you with this truth. And a lot of people don't want to talk about this, but I'm going to say it. Purpose and your assignment always cost something. Nothing is ever free. So if you think that you will escape challenges and escape trouble, when you pursue God's call, you are in a rude, you're going to come to a, is it a rude awakening? I forgot to even know if I'm saying it correctly, but you're going to have a wake up call that that is not the case. Okay? It's never the case for me, for people who've gone before me and whose people who's coming after me.
Edna Harding [00:11:08]:
It's not the case. Purpose always costs us something. And sometimes it could be comfort. Sometimes it could be visibility. Sometimes it's the illusion of control. But what if that hard moment you're facing is actually not a failure, but it's actually a cross? I'm going to say that one more time. What if that hard moment you're facing, isn't a failure, but it's across, it's a moment of laying something down so that something greater can be raised up. Right.
Edna Harding [00:11:44]:
I remember so many times Scott would, I would work so hard and he would tell me, lay it down, lay it down and like surrender and surrender. I'm like, but what was all that for? And I never understood. I never realized, but every time I laid it down on the other side was something bigger and better. And I, even though it costs me a lot at that time, when I laid it down afterwards, it was always worth the reward. Okay. And, and I'm glad, I'm glad, you know, even though I could have pushed more, even though I could have worked harder more, even though I could have made things happen my way, I'm glad I listened to the still voice of the holy spirit and not try to do things on my own because I realize that he knew exactly what he is doing. Okay. And so if you are facing your crucifixion right now, join the rest of kingdom minded entrepreneurs and believers all over the world.
Edna Harding [00:12:46]:
We've all gone through it. This is part of the process. So I hope that encourages you, but I know it's not really encouraging, but it will. Okay. Now after the crucifixion, let's go ahead and move on here. Came Saturday. And although we don't talk about Saturday that much, it was real. Right? Remember the disciples didn't know resurrection was coming.
Edna Harding [00:13:12]:
They saw the tomb sealed dreams, buried silence from heaven. Okay. Like they didn't see, they didn't, I, in my mind, I'm thinking they probably forgot what Jesus told them that he was going to rise again. And maybe you're here today. Maybe you launched a program. Maybe you stepped down in faith, but now silence, no sign, no signal, just doneness and friends. Let me encourage you today. Heaven is not inactive in your silence.
Edna Harding [00:13:41]:
Okay. God does some of his most transform me, transformative work and hidden places. Okay. Hidden places, things that you cannot see. And for me, I mean, okay. Just for example, I got an email today as I was working with one of my clients. I had to kinda email saying like, hey. We wanna highlight you as a military spouse for North Alabama, what did you do in community, talk about your business.
Edna Harding [00:14:12]:
And I was like, what? That came out of nowhere. And here I am just trying to administer and help one of my clients get through some challenges, and God surprised me with that. Like, that is a blessing. Right? And so it's those times when we don't think he's working, he's actually working somehow. Okay. Remember Romans eight twenty eight says in all things, God works for the good of those who love him and who are called according to his purpose. Saturday is when roots grow deep. This is a time, right, when the testing ground, the testing of trust, like, is happening.
Edna Harding [00:14:54]:
Right? This is when your your your your faith walk is being tested. Right? I don't know what I'm trying to say, but this is the, the time where it's like do or die kind of thing. Right? So I wanna encourage you to don't misinterpret silence as absence. And just because you haven't seen the fruit doesn't mean the seed is not working. Okay. And now let's talk about Sunday, which is resurrection. What happens? The stone rolls away. The grave loses his grip.
Edna Harding [00:15:24]:
What looked like the end becomes the beginning. This is the hope of Easter, right? This is the hope of resurrection Sunday, but it's almost very similar to the rhythm of a kingdom minded business and faith led business, right? You've been faithful in the fire. You've endured the quiet and suddenly God breathes on the very thing you thought was dead. I can't tell you how many times I thought my businesses were dead, but he, every time when I think it's over, he gives me a little glimpse of hope that, Nope, it's not dead. Like I'm at a point where I'm so busy that I'm like, oh my goodness, I need to hire some help, which is why I have to raise my prices because I cannot hire any help with the prices that I had before. And every time I'm like, well, god. I remember this is a true story, guys. I remember I was like, god, I can't charge these people this.
Edna Harding [00:16:24]:
If I charge them this, then they're not gonna be able to afford it. And he is like, you're getting burnt out. You cannot keep up with the cost of maintaining all the software, all the renewals. I'm I'm paying for new knowledge. I just hired another, LinkedIn software to kind of help me navigate through the algorithms. And what's what's going on. When I say an algorithm, meaning find out what post, like what type of posts are doing well so I can relate those things to my clients. And, yeah, that costs money that wasn't free.
Edna Harding [00:17:01]:
And so I had to raise my prices from before. And there was a part of me that was like, but they can't afford this God. And the Lord told me, are you Jehovah Jireh or am I? And I'm like, okay, God. So this is a struggle for me. Okay. And why do I say this? Okay. He he reminds me, okay, that seasons change. And although I was in summer and I was in winter for a while and I was in spring for a while, it truly is my harvest time.
Edna Harding [00:17:35]:
It's it's easier for me now. Okay? It's easier for me to get clients. It's easier for me to have, resources that I need. Like, it's easier now. And it's not to brag, but it's to say, like, thank God I'm out of that season. And I'm going to milk this puppy because who, we don't know. We never know how long it's gonna last. Right.
Edna Harding [00:17:57]:
And so I say all of this to say that it's just a matter of time guys. And I don't, I wish I could tell you when exactly it's going to change. I can't, I'm not God, but I can tell you that in his perfect timing, the right when you think it's all over a dormant idea will come alive. Our connection you didn't expect opens a new door resources appear from the most unlikely places. I mean, just an example, like the train I could just like, here's an example. So I remember I'm working on my app. I'm trying to think of free resources to show you guys or to give access to, and he remind me of trainings that I did from many years ago that not a lot of people showed up, but it's still relevant or or I I got people showed up and I didn't get any, sale from it. And now I'm using those as my free resources and I don't have to come in from scratch and it saves me so much time.
Edna Harding [00:18:57]:
And so why do I say this? I say this, all things would truly work for our good And somehow, some way he's going to put it all together. Revelation chapter twenty one five says, behold, I'm making all things new, not some things, not the parts that didn't break all things. So I want to ask you this. What in your business feels buried? What dream have you placed in a tomb and walked away from and what idea needs the breath of God? Okay. So I want you to really reflect on the cross this weekend and await the empty tomb. Okay. Really just, if you're in that season, just know that resurrection is coming and don't give up in the middle of this story. Remember that resurrection always looks impossible.
Edna Harding [00:19:53]:
I really thought I'm not even joking guys. I really, in fact, I'm gonna include a link to my app, and it's a way for you guys to get my latest training. I have some free training resources. I have just a way for me to communicate. You guys can interact with me. It's just it's a phenomenal thing. I'm still working on it, but I'm gonna put a link to my app. But just looking at how somehow, some way, I thought, like, I was never gonna get an app.
Edna Harding [00:20:21]:
I'm like, oh my gosh. I just don't have time to develop an app. And then all these all of a sudden, I made a divine contact, and it's just amazing. Like, now I have an app, and it does exactly everything that I needed to do, which is to be able to communicate to my current members, to show my different courses, show my offerings, communicate to my prospects, like those who don't know me yet. And I could just send them messages and just get to know them, build connections, build community. Like that is all possible all through an app. And it was easy for me. Like it was, it probably took me about a week for it to happen, but that was a way less time than I thought it would take me.
Edna Harding [00:21:12]:
Why am I saying this? It truly is possible for God to do all the things that you need, by his hands in a short amount of time, if you just surrender and embrace the journey and embrace the process. So I'm just gonna pray for you guys, and then we could call it a night. Father, thank you for the cross. Thank you for your son who laid down your life or Jesus so that we could live in fullness and freedom. We lift up every listener right now, every entrepreneur, every dreamer, every weary leader, you see their sacrifice, you know, the tears behind the vision, the prayers behind the pitch and the surrender behind a strategy, Remind them that you are not just the God of the cross. You are the God of the resurrection. So breathe new life into their businesses. Speak clarity into their callings.
Edna Harding [00:22:16]:
Strengthen their hands and study their hearts. And we declare that what looks dead will live again. And may thank you that Sunday is coming in Jesus mighty name. Amen. All right, guys. Well, thank you for joining me today. And if this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs hope in their journey. And remember before the crown always came the cross.
Edna Harding [00:22:42]:
Okay. Before the breakthrough always came the breaking before the resurrection always came surrender. So stay faith for my friend. I know it's hard. I can't tell you how many tears I've shed. I remember I was making a joke with the holy spirit. I was like, how many jars of tears do you have up there in heaven of mine? Okay. But stay faithful, stay rooted and stay expectant.
Edna Harding [00:23:15]:
Okay. Don't give up. Don't quit. Jesus Christ has risen and the same spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is the same spirit living within you, which is the holy spirit. I'll see you guys on the other side of the resurrection. God bless you, my friends. And until next time, keep shining. Thanks for joining us this week on Estapreneur.
Edna Harding [00:23:47]:
Make sure to visit our website, favorandwealth.com, for more information on our services. While you're at it, if you found value in this show, we'd appreciate a rating on iTunes, or if you simply tell a friend about the show, that would help me out too. Also, check out my book, The Old New Side of Sales, available on Amazon, where I share seven of my secrets on how to win and grow business shining.