How Do You Stay Encouraged?

?

Colossians 3:17; 23-24: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord, you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You areserving the Lord Christ.”

I had the privilege recently of being a guest teacher/speaker at a class in the Business department at Biola College. The students, all seniors, were able to listen and learn from individuals who are salespeople in hearing about practical applications. Since I am a seasoned and successful sales representative for Norman Fox, & Co., I had been recommended and was asked to relate what has been useful in my career in sales. The teacher of the class was the Assistant Dean of Administration.

I opened with my background and how I became a sales rep. in the Chemical Distribution industry. My second point was my PowerPoint presentation on “The Secret Behind Sales Negotiations.” I intertwined illustrations from stories with various customers – highs and lows. Towards the end of the class, the students had a chance to ask me questions, and one girl’s question has planted a memory in my mind that I cannot forget. Her question to me was:

 “How do you stay encouraged in your sales job? What do you do for this?”

 Her face looked earnestly perplexed. What an excellent question! My immediate answer was: “I spend timedaily in the Word of God. I read God’s Word every day, and He encourages me.That is how I stay encouraged in my sales job.” Later I thought, oh I shouldhave shared that I talk on the phone with my peers, that helps to encourage me.Or I should have pointed to various Ted Talks on sales or something on LinkedIn. But in the end, none of these will give lasting encouragement in givingmore zeal for continual passion in one’s sales job. No, it is God alone thatgives the sales outcome and gives comfort and peace in that whole process.

I then quoted to the class my signature verse: Psalms 119:92: “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” I explained that sales go up and down. There will be patterns. Then there will be customers that close and declare bankruptcy (I have had at least two). But we are to work in our employment, as working for God – don’t be lazy. God chose fishermen to be his disciples because they worked hard.  Professional fishermen did not sit around doing nothing. They sorted their catch. Cleaned the fish. Mended equipment. God needs professional men and women who are not afraid to work. He will bring the results in the end. My results are God’s job.  My prayer is to be of benefit, and God has answered above and beyond my vision. Our profession cannot be our idol. Being the best in our field, cannot be our idol. Our dreams of aspirations cannot be our idol. My job is to be obedient and to do what God says that I find while reading His Word. My value and worth is in God alone.

So when I need verbal encouragement, I told the class, from management, I pray and ask God to have someone such as my boss, give me a verbal complement that I feel I need, and He does it! I shared a complimentary email from my boss that she had just sent to me that afternoon after I turned in my month-end sales report. Another answer to a prayer that I had on needing encouragement and God provided – Jehovah Jireh. I give all thanks and honor to Him.

So my immediate answer to the girl’s question, was not wrong, “How do you stay encouraged? What do you do for this?” Now my question to you the reader is, “How do you stay encouraged? What do you do for this?”

Listen to MerceMe –Finish What He Started and their song Flawless (Official Music Video).