Reflections and Gratitude: Counting Your Blessings in Business, Gratitude, and Faith

By Dr. Sakira Jackson

In the often chaotic and demanding world of entrepreneurship, it’s easy to become consumed by the endless to-do lists, the constant challenges, and the pursuit of success. The pressure to grow your business, meet deadlines, satisfy clients, and balance a personal life can leave even the most seasoned entrepreneur feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. However, amidst all the hustle and bustle, one practice can offer balance and grounding: gratitude.

Gratitude is more than just a feel-good notion; it’s a powerful tool that can change the way you approach your business, your life, and your faith. When we take the time to reflect on our journey, count our blessings, and express gratitude for what we have accomplished, we can find peace, perspective, and renewed purpose. In today’s post, we’ll explore the importance of reflection and gratitude in business and how faith ties into this practice, helping you stay grounded and inspired as you continue your entrepreneurial journey.

The Power of Reflection: Looking Back with Clarity

Running a business is a journey, and every journey deserves moments of reflection. So often, we are fixated on our goals, the future, and the “what’s next,” that we forget to pause and take stock of how far we’ve come. The importance of looking back with clarity cannot be overstated—reflection gives you the chance to see not only what has worked but also the lessons learned from the challenges faced.

Take a moment to think about your own business journey. What were your first few months like? The initial struggles, the small wins, the unexpected turns, the challenges you didn’t foresee? Think about the clients you’ve helped, the services or products you’ve provided, and the growth you’ve experienced—both personally and professionally.

One of my clients, Rachel, a restaurant owner, started her business with limited resources, no formal business training, and a burning passion for creating a space where people could gather and enjoy home-cooked meals. She faced numerous challenges, from managing staff to balancing the books. After several tough years, her business began to gain momentum, and Rachel found herself managing a successful restaurant. But in the midst of her growing success, Rachel still felt anxious and pressured, always thinking about what else needed to be done.

During one of our sessions, I asked her to pause and reflect on her journey. We went back to the early days—her hopes, dreams, and the obstacles she overcame. Through reflection, Rachel realized how much she had accomplished and how far she had come. That moment of gratitude not only gave her perspective, but it also allowed her to appreciate her hard work and the support she received from her team and family. It helped her rediscover her purpose and realign her vision for the future.

Scripture encourages us to reflect on our blessings and the goodness of God:

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 107:1, NIV)

In business, as in life, it’s important to reflect on the ways we’ve been blessed, even in the midst of challenges. Reflection allows us to acknowledge God’s faithfulness and appreciate the strength, perseverance, and wisdom gained along the way.

Gratitude as a Daily Practice: Appreciating the Journey

Gratitude isn’t just something we express on special occasions or when things are going well. In fact, the practice of gratitude becomes most powerful when we embrace it daily, even when circumstances are difficult. Running a business can feel like an endless series of obstacles—there are always fires to put out, deadlines to meet, and goals to achieve. But if we cultivate a mindset of gratitude, we can find peace in the midst of the storm and joy in the process.

I often encourage my clients to start each day with a gratitude practice. It could be as simple as writing down three things you are grateful for each morning, taking a moment of prayer, or reflecting on the blessings of the previous day. The practice of counting your blessings, no matter how small, shifts your perspective from what’s lacking to what’s present and abundant.

Gratitude doesn’t only apply to the “big” successes—like landing a huge client or hitting a revenue goal. It applies to the small, everyday wins, too. Did a team member go above and beyond? Did a customer leave a positive review? Did you make it through a tough week? These are all reasons to pause and express gratitude.

One entrepreneur I worked with, a tech start-up founder named Andre, implemented this practice and found it transformational. Initially, he struggled with balancing his growing business and the daily stresses of entrepreneurship. He often felt overwhelmed, and his motivation was dwindling. I recommended he try a daily gratitude practice. Reluctant at first, Andre soon found that by starting each morning with a few minutes of reflection on what he was thankful for—his supportive family, a dedicated team, and even the opportunity to run a business—he felt more grounded and positive throughout the day.

Gratitude became his anchor, allowing him to navigate the ups and downs with greater ease and joy. He learned to appreciate the process and the small victories that were often overshadowed by larger goals.

The Apostle Paul reminds us of the power of gratitude, even in challenging times:

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV)

Even in difficult circumstances, when things may not be going the way we had hoped, gratitude allows us to acknowledge the blessings in the journey and remain hopeful and faithful.

Faith in the Entrepreneurial Journey: Trusting in God’s Plan

As entrepreneurs, we often rely on our skills, knowledge, and hard work to build and grow our businesses. But there’s a deeper force at play that guides us along the way: faith. When we integrate faith into our business journey, we begin to trust that our work is aligned with a greater purpose—that God has a plan for us and our business.

Faith isn’t about having all the answers or knowing what will happen next. It’s about trusting in the process and believing that, through hard work, patience, and dedication, we will get to where we are meant to be. But even more than that, it’s about believing that every step of the journey—both the successes and the setbacks—has meaning and value.

In my experience as a crisis coach, I’ve seen many entrepreneurs face moments of deep uncertainty. They’ve faced financial difficulties, team challenges, and even personal setbacks that caused them to doubt the future of their business. In those moments, it’s easy to feel discouraged and lose sight of the vision that once ignited your passion. However, faith serves as a reminder that God’s timing is perfect, and that every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger and more resilient.

My client, Martin, ran a family-owned construction business that was hit hard during an economic downturn. He came to me on the verge of giving up. The contracts had dried up, and the financial strain was overwhelming. Martin felt like he had failed his family and himself. But through our sessions, we focused on restoring his faith—both in his business and in God’s plan for his life.

I encouraged Martin to take his worries to prayer and trust that his hard work and dedication would bear fruit, even if the current season was difficult. Slowly but surely, things began to turn around. New opportunities came his way, and Martin’s faith carried him through the darkest moments.

Proverbs reminds us to trust in God’s plan:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)

In business, we won’t always understand why certain things happen or why certain doors close. But through faith, we can trust that God’s plan for our lives and businesses is greater than we can imagine.

Expressing Gratitude for the Journey

Entrepreneurship is not an easy path. It’s filled with challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt. But it’s also filled with growth, purpose, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact. By reflecting on your journey, expressing gratitude for your blessings, and leaning into your faith, you can find peace and fulfillment even in the most difficult times.

As you move forward in your business, I encourage you to take moments of pause to reflect on your progress, count your blessings, and express gratitude for the people, opportunities, and lessons you’ve encountered along the way. Gratitude has the power to transform not only your business but also your mindset, your relationships, and your faith.

Dr. Sakira Jackson is a business psychologist and crisis coach specializing in helping entrepreneurs navigate challenges with faith, gratitude, and purpose. She is the creator of the Crisis to Cashflow Challenge and author of the upcoming book, "Crisis Cures: How to Reignite and Rebuild Your Business Right Now."