Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58 NKJV)

Someone once asked that great motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, where he got his tremendous information that they had found so helpful in business, and he said, “Everything I teach comes directly from pages of the Bible, but I don’t tell people where I got it.”

For many years I worked in the business world and most of my clients had no idea I was also a pastor. I did my work in a Christian manner as carefully as I could, but I did not say too much about my faith (regretfully). During those years I had the opportunity to attend many business conferences and I heard many speakers talk about their success principles. Often I would hear a speaker explain a success principle and I knew it had come from the Bible even though the one giving the principle usually didn’t know it. For instance, I heard a businessman explaining the SWOT Business Principle which stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, which are the four things you’re supposed to consider in building a healthy, successful, growing business.

These four things are found throughout the Bible

They are not only good business principles but they are also helpful in all other areas of your life, physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. To be healthy and achieve growth in all these areas examine your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, in each one and then make adjustments to what you find as necessary. Here are some verses to consider as you do.

In everything you do search for and discover its…

·      Strengths: “Be strong and imovable.” (1 Cor. 15:58); “But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.” (2 Chron. 15:7)

·      Weaknesses: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isa. 40:29); “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (Rom. 8:26)

·      Opportunities: “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:16); “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,” (Gal. 6:10).

·      Threats: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV)

Therefore:

“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.” (Col. 3:17 ESV)