Leading Your Company Through Crisis

The Bible provides many examples of leaders guiding people through crises. Moses guided the exodus. David protected his people from the Philistines. Jesus prepared his disciples before his crucifixion. What do these leaders teach us about leading companies through crisis? That’s what this Bible Reading Plan covers. 

Faith Driven Entrepreneurs are often called to handle crises differently than other entrepreneurs. We’re asked to put others first instead of constructing golden parachutes. We may not feel comfortable padding our executive bonuses when the broader staff is facing tough layoff decisions. 

One year you may be in a season of calm, and the next year you may be handling a crisis. No matter what you’re facing, this Bible Reading Plan offers sound scriptural truth alongside practical advice from leading entrepreneurs.

Day 1: We Will Get Through This

What do people need when they’re going through a crisis? While strength is an important leadership quality, severity isn’t always a good course of action. The most effective leaders instill a sense of reassurance in their followers: employees, families, students, etc.

This devotional covers what it looks like to provide comfort and hopefulness to people associated with your company. It was written by Reggie Joiner, the founder and CEO of Orange (The reThink Group, Inc), a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to influence those who influence the next generation by providing resources and training for churches and organizations that create environments for parents, kids, and teenagers. 

Bible reading from 2 Corinthians.

Day 2: Unload Your Burdens

Patrick Lencioni is a best-selling author and entrepreneur who contributed to this section of the reading plan on leading through crisis. He reminds us that if we just submit to God, his yoke really is easy and his burden really is light. The only way we make heavier is by wanting our own will and not his.

When entrepreneurs face crisis, we might let our need to control take over our lives. We like to say, “It’s up to me to rebalance the books.” But in reality, God is sovereign. It’s not up to us to carry every burden and responsibility. Learn more about releasing unnecessary anxiety during crisis in today’s reading plan.

Bible reading from Matthew. 

Day 3: Christ in Current Events

If you’re feeling discouraged by all the division found in the news, then this is the session for you. Don Flow, owner of Flow Automotive Companies, encourages entrepreneurs to respond to crisis with reconciliation.

When things go wrong, humans tend to seek out someone to blame. This blame sometimes attaches itself wrongly to entire people groups or any group that doesn’t think the same way we do. History has shown this can be a catastrophic perspective. But great leaders seek to represent Christ and extend his love to everyone even when the going gets rough.

Bible reading from Philippians. 

Day 4: God is Your Shepherd, Even in Crisis

Here’s an excerpt from Phil Vischer’s musings. Phil was the creator of Veggie Tales and saw his company go from great success to bankruptcy. 

“If God is my shepherd, I'm good. That's it. Not, God is my shepherd and my business takes off: I can budget the next five years with clarity, all my kids are thriving, my marriage is healthy, and I can make my car payment. No, none of that is there.” 

This absolute faith is difficult for anyone, but especially so for entrepreneurs who have so much to handle. 

Bible reading from Psalms.

Day 5: Placing Our Hope in God

Crisis and tragedy go hand in hand. War, famine, economic collapse, etc., all lead to pain and suffering. It can be difficult to keep from giving into despair. We want to cry out and ask, “Why? How can things get better?”

Today’s reading plan helps us remember that God is our ultimate hope. He isn’t bound by the rules of this world and He promises to redeem His creation one day. During times of crisis, we can stand firm in this hope and resist despair just as Christians have done for centuries.

Bible reading from Psalms.

Day 6: Learning Through Trials

Crisis almost always brings permanent change. Things never go back to the ways they were no matter how much we want them to. After a significant event, you will grieve the loss of business as you knew it. Difficult times make us reexamine the way we do things.

Lara Casey Isacson is the CEO of Cultivate What Matters and the creator of the best-selling PowerSheets Intentional Goal Planner. She provides a healthy perspective on crisis and change in today’s devotional.

Bible reading from Lamentations.