Why Don't I Feel Close to God Anymore?

Ralph Estep
00:00:00

You check your bank account, everything looks fine on paper. You go to church, you're there every Sunday. But there's something missing, isn't it?

That deep connection with God that used to guide every financial decision, every business move, every aspect of your life. It feels like it's slipping away. Maybe you am asking a spiritual emptiness with retail therapy.

Or perhaps you're so focused on your business that prayer has become just another item on your to do list. I know exactly how you feel because I've walked that path as a financial advisor trying to help others while feeling spiritually empty myself.

So today I'm going to pull back the curtain to share my personal journey through what I felt like a spiritual desert. And more importantly, how reconnecting with God transformed not just my faith, but every aspect of my financial ministry.

If you're feeling disconnected from God while trying to navigate your finances, this episode is specifically for you. Stay with me as we tackle the question that's probably been weighing on your heart. Why don't I feel close to God anymore?

Together, we'll discover how to rebuild that connection and master your finances from a Christian perspective.

Podcast Announcer
00:01:17

In a world where crushing debt keeps you trapped, where living paycheck to paycheck has become your new normal, and where the dream of retirement seems impossibly out of reach, there's hope. Join financial evangelist Ralph Estep Jr. A man who's walked through the fire of financial failure and emerged stronger on the other side.

Welcome to Ask Ralph, the show where real world experience meets biblical truth. To break the bondage of financial despair.

Get ready to take control of your money, break free from the financial stress and align your resources with God's purpose for your life. This is Ask Ralph with Ralph Estep Jr.

Ralph Estep
00:01:57

Well, thank you for joining me today on the show. As someone who's walked through both financial and spiritual valleys, I understand the challenges you're facing.

Yesterday we covered ID Me and its safety features. And if you missed that episode about protecting your financial identity, I encourage you to go back and listen.

But today we're diving into something deeply personal that affects both our spiritual and our financial well being. I received this raw and vulnerable message from Michael in Dallas, Texas, and he wrote this.

Dear Ralph, I've been following your show religiously for the past six months, and your financial advice has helped me grow my small marketing practice. But lately I'm wrestling with something that's tearing me apart on inside. On paper, my business is doing well. We're up 15% from last year.

But there's this deep Spiritual emptiness that no amount of spreadsheet success seems to fill. My prayer life, which used to be my foundation, has crumbled to hurried, meaningless words between client meetings.

I used to feel God's presence guiding every business decision, but now I'm making choices based purely on ROI without even considering his wisdom. The worst part? I've started masking this spiritual void with compulsive spending $3,000 on unnecessary office renovations.

Last month, countless subscriptions. We don't need even a new company car. That was more about status than necessity. Last Sunday, sitting in church, something broke inside me.

While everyone around me was worshiping, I realized I couldn't remember the last time I genuinely felt God's presence. It's like I'm just going through the motions, checking the boxes. Both in my spiritual life and my business decisions. The isolation is crushing.

Even with a growing team, I've never felt more alone. Ralph, I'm scared. I'm scared that this spiritual drought isn't just affecting my relationship with God. It's starting to corrupt my business judgment.

Last week, I almost signed a contract with a client whose values completely contradict what I used to stand for just because the numbers look good. How do you maintain that deep connection with God while running a business?

How do you find that balance between entrepreneurial demands and spiritual growth when every minute feels like it needs to be productive? I know I need to change something, but I don't even know where to start.

The harder I try to force that connection with God, the more distance he feels. Please help me find my way back. Wow.

You know, Michael, when I read your message, my heart ached because I recognize that deep spiritual emptiness you're describing. That feeling of being successful on paper, but bankrupt in spirit.

It's a struggle many Christian entrepreneurs face, but few have the courage to admit it like you just did. Let me speak directly to what you're experiencing. That moment you described in church. Sitting there physically present, but spiritually absent.

It's not just about missing a worship experience. It's about feeling disconnected from your God given purpose.

When you mentioned making business decisions without even seeing God's wisdom, I heard the pain of someone who's lost their spiritual compass in the pursuit of success. Those impulsive purchases, the $3,000 office renovation, the unnecessary subscriptions, the new company car.

They're not just financial decisions gone wrong. They're crying out for something deeper. You're trying to fill a God shaped void with material solutions.

And I know exactly how exhausting that cycle can be. You know what really struck me? When you mentioned that almost signing that contract with a client whose values contradicted your beliefs.

See, that's not just a business dilemma. It's a cry for spiritual realignment. As Christian entrepreneurs, our businesses aren't separate from our ministry. They're an extension of it.

And that isolation you're feeling even when leading a growing team, that's real. But here's what I want you to understand. This spiritual drought you're experiencing, it might actually be God's way of calling you back to him.

Because sometimes he allows us to feel that emptiness. So we'll stop trying to fill it with spreadsheets and success metrics. Think about this.

Your business is up 15%, yet you've never felt more spiritually bankrupt. That contrast isn't a coincidence. It's a divine invitation to realign your definition of success with God's purpose for your life.

And when you mentioned being scared about your spiritual drought affecting your business decisions, you're actually identifying something profound. It's so deep. It's the connection between our spiritual health and our capacity to steward God's resources wisely. And Michael, listen to me.

You're not failing. You're actually at a crucial turning point.

This awareness you've developed, this discomfort with the status quo, it's the first step towards transformation. And I've been there. I've walked alongside Christians in their financial journeys.

And I can tell you that this struggle you're in might just be the foundation for your most significant spiritual and professional growth.

Michael, your heartfelt question touches on a struggle that many Christian entrepreneurs face, that feeling of a spiritual emptiness even amid business success. I've seen it. It's actually a divine invitation to something deeper.

Now, before I share a powerful verse that speaks directly to your situation, let me acknowledge something important. And this is so important.

In our fast paced, competitive business world, it's incredibly easy to get caught up in the pressures and uncertainties of running a successful business business.

The metrics, the deadlines, the constant demands, they can all become so overwhelming that we find ourselves, like you, thinking about client work during worship. But here's what's beautiful about your situation. Your awareness of this spiritual drought isn't a sign of failure, Michael.

It's actually God drawing you back to his presence. You see, because Jesus specifically addressed this tension. He addressed this tension between our work and our spiritual lives.

And Michael, this brings us to today's powerful verse, which I believe will speak directly to where you are right now in your entrepreneurial journey. Michael, there's a powerful verse in Proverbs, chapter 3, verses 5 and 6 that speaks directly to your situation.

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 path straight.

And if you think about it, this verse is particularly meaningful for your situation for really three crucial reasons. First thing, notice how it says in all of your ways, not just in your personal life, but in your business decisions, too.

Right now, you're trying to compartmentalize your faith and your business, but God is calling you to integrate him into every aspect of your work. Second, the phrase lean not on your own understanding speaks directly to the challenge you're facing.

Michael, as a marketing agency owner, you're trained to rely on analytics. That's what you do. You're trained to rely on market research and proven strategies. And these tools are valuable. I get it.

But God is calling you to a deeper level of trust. It's one that goes far beyond spreadsheets and profit margins. And third, look at that promise at the end. This should give you great comfort.

He will make your path straight. So when you're feeling lost in the maze of business decisions and client demands, God isn't just offering you guidance.

He's promising to actively direct your path. You see, this isn't just about adding a prayer before meetings or squeezing in a quick devotional.

It's about fundamentally shifting how you view your business success. Jesus actually addressed this directly in Matthew 6:33. He told us to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.

And all of these things will be given to you as well.

You see, this is God's invitation to you today to stop seeing your business as something separate from your faith, but rather as a platform for living out your faith. Because when we align our business practices with God's principles, we find not just prosperity, but we truly find our purpose.

Now, Michael, before we go any deeper into solving your challenge, I want to share something I'm incredibly grateful for today. As I reflected on Proverbs 3, verses 5 and 6 In your question, I am profoundly thankful for how God uses our business challenges.

He uses them to draw us closer to Him. You see, Michael, because just like you, I've experienced those seasons.

Those seasons where success and spirituality seem to be pulling in opposite directions. But what I've come to appreciate is how God's wisdom shows up exactly when we need it. It shows up exactly when we need it the most.

Not just in church, but right in the middle of our business decisions. And I am especially grateful for how God's promises remain unchanging even when our business metrics fluctuate. His love endures forever.

Psalm 136, verse 1 reminds us. And that's something we're celebrating even in the midst of our entrepreneurial challenges.

See, when we're facing tough decisions or feeling spiritually disconnected, he doesn't just offer guidance. So much more than that. He promises to make our paths straight when we submit our ways to Him.

So today I'm thankful that God doesn't ask us to choose between business success and spiritual growth instead. And a lot of people think that's what he's saying.

But instead he invites us to find his purpose in our work, turning our daily business challenges into opportunities for that spiritual transformation.

This reminder fills me with gratitude because it means that even your current struggle, Michael, even the one you're in right now, again, I'm going to say this. It's actually a divine invitation to experience God's faithfulness in a fresh way.

And you know, that gratitude reminds me of a powerful story that Michael. It directs you, relates to your struggle. It's just like you're experiencing right now.

I remember a season in my own business journey where success and spirituality seem to be playing tug of war with my heart. Just like you. The spreadsheets were looking better than ever, but my spiritual life felt like it was running on empty. It was running on fumes.

And before I share how God transformed that situation in my life, and more importantly, how you can apply these lessons to your marketing agency, let me remind you that you're not alone in this struggle, Michael. If you don't hear anything else I'm saying to you, you are not alone.

Many of our listeners face this exact same challenge of trying to reconcile their faith with their financial success. I've done many shows about this difficult topic, and what I'm about to share with you isn't just theory or some religious platitude.

It's a real world story of how God can take our business challenges and turn them into opportunities for spiritual growth. It's about discovering that sweet spot where your marketing expertise and your faith don't just coexist, they actually enhance each other.

Michael, let me share something powerful that happened in my own business journey. I can remember it was a Tuesday morning. I was sitting in my office staring at a contract worth more than my entire previous year's revenue.

That's how big it was. This client was a major player in our industry. But there was a catch. They wanted me to fudge some numbers in their marketing Materials.

Nothing illegal, just a bit misleading. The old me would have jumped at the opportunity without hesitation. My business was growing, but that overhead was eating into our profits as I grew.

And this contract could have solved all of our financial challenges. And as I sat there looking at this thing, my prayer life had become almost non existence. Much like what you're experiencing now, Michael.

But that morning, something felt different. That emptiness I've been feeling in my spiritual life crashed head on with this business decision. It was right there.

And I remember how I used to start every morning with prayer and scripture when I was first getting started. But somewhere along the way, spreadsheets had replaced spiritual disciplines.

And the turning point came when I realized I was treating God like a silent partner. That's what I'd assign Him to.

Instead of the CEO of my business, which was his rightful place, I was making decisions based purely on financial metrics while ignoring the spiritual compass he'd given me. So I did something right at that moment. I did something I hadn't done in months.

I logged out of my computer, I turned off my phone, and I spent an hour on my knees in prayer. Not just some quick God, please help me prayer, we all do those. But real, honest conversation with God.

I confess my spiritual negligence and I asked for his guidance. And let me just tell you, the clarity, Michael, that followed was remarkable.

I realized that true success wasn't just about profitable quarters or profitable years. It was about maintaining integrity. When it cost us something, it cost us something. And I declined that contract.

And honestly, I gotta tell you, it was terrifying. At the time, I felt like I was throwing money right into the fireplace. I asked myself, could my business really thrive without this huge new client?

But here's where God showed up within two weeks. Listen to this. This is the truth. Three new clients reach out to me. All aligned with our values, all offering fair contracts.

And our revenue actually increased by 40% that quarter. But just like that money, I was going to throw in the fire. But more importantly, my spiritual life was rekindled.

The transformation wasn't just financial, it was holistic. I started implementing what I called a 3P strategy. And that's prayer before prophets and principles. That's a big thing to say.

But every morning now starts with spiritual reflection. Before I check my emails. My client meetings begin with a silent prayer, even if it's just my own heart.

And business decisions are filtered through both financial and and spiritual lenses. Now, this experience taught me that God doesn't want us to choose between business success and spiritual growth.

He wants us to integrate our faith into every aspect of our business, using our entrepreneurial journey as a platform for spiritual transformation. So Michael, let me break down this three piece strategy, Prayer before Prophets and Principles.

Because I truly believe it can transform your marketing agency just like it did my business. Michael, the first P is prayer. Start each day with intentional prayer before opening your laptop or checking those client analytics. Start there.

And this isn't about lengthy devotionals. Listen, even 15 minutes of focused prayer time can ground you spiritually.

Use this time to seek wisdom for specific business decisions and express gratitude just like I did for your agency's growth. Make prayer your first business activity, not some afterthought. The second P Principles.

So before making any business decisions, filter it through God's principles For your marketing agency. This means asking questions like hey, does this campaign truly serve our client customers? Are we maintaining integrity in our messaging?

And how does this decision align with biblical values? Because remember this, when we align our business practices with God's principles, we invite his guidance into every aspect of our work.

And the third P profits. Because here's the beautiful part. When we prioritize prayer and principles, prophets often follow naturally.

But now instead of profits being your primary focus, they become a byproduct of running your business God's way. And let me just tell you, this shift in perspective transforms your agency from just a money making venture into a ministry field.

That's what we all need to be looking for. So Michael, let me give you some practical ways to implement this.

Number one thing, create a morning routine that starts with prayer and scripture before checking those emails or client reports. That's what I do every morning. Keep a business prayer journal to track God's faithfulness in your agency's journey.

You can go back and look at it and see where you were in that journey. Maybe you want to install some prayer triggers throughout your workday before client calls. Take a moment for just a silent prayer.

You know, lord, give me strength for this call. When reviewing marketing strategies, pause to seek divine wisdom. Ask yourself, does this fit in with my values?

Maybe you want to set up some regular spiritual check ins. Just like you review your business metrics, you meet with your accountant like somebody like me.

Schedule time to evaluate how well you're integrating faith into your business decisions. That's not going to be on the balance sheet of profit and loss statement. And finally, here's a great thing you can do.

Transform your client meetings by viewing them as opportunities to demonstrate Christ like service. Even if you don't mention faith explicitly, you don't have to do that.

Because, Michael, remember, this strategy isn't about compartmentalizing your faith in business. That's the whole point. It's about integrating them seamlessly together.

And when you approach your marketing agency this way, you'll find that spiritual growth and business success aren't competing priorities. They're complimentary forces that can propel your business forward while at the same time deepening your faith.

Michael, let me speak directly to your heart for a moment. What you're experiencing right now, this tension between business success and this spiritual emptiness, it's not just a phase to push through.

I wish I could say that it was, as I said a few times, it's actually a divine invitation for transformation. God is reaching out to you.

Because you see, in my years of helping entrepreneurs, I've learned that there's never a perfect time to do this spiritual realignment. The truth is, the client demands won't decrease. The deadlines won't magically disappear. The business pressures will always be there.

But here's the truth. Waiting will only deepen that spiritual void you're feeling. So think about it. Prayer isn't just another task to add to your to do list.

I don't want to see you putting it on a to do list. Well, Ralph said I better pray. It's actually a powerful tool that can transform how you make decisions in your marketing agency.

And when you start implementing that three piece strategy we discuss, you're going to discover that prayer becomes your competitive advantage. It's become mine, and it's not going to be this business burden. So let me be very clear about something.

This transformation isn't about choosing between business success and spiritual growth. It's not a choice you have to make, but it's more about aligning and allowing God to elevate both simultaneously.

Because when we align our business goals with his plan, we invite divine guidance into every aspect of our work. And the beauty of this journey is that you don't have to figure it out all at once. Start small.

Even 15 minutes of focused prayer before checking those morning emails can begin shifting your perspective. It can change your whole focus because it's like you're building a building.

Each prayer becomes a building block, creating a foundation that can withstand any business challenge. But here's why you need to start today. Every day you wait is another day of operating your business on your own strength.

And you're just putting aside God's wisdom and see every client. Meeting you. Enter without prayer is a missed opportunity for divine guidance.

Every decision you make without seeking his wisdom is a chance for alignment that's just slipping away. Because again, remember, God hasn't called you to choose between being a successful marketing agency owner and a faithful follower.

He's inviting you to do both. Listen to me. Simultaneously, he's asking you. He's inviting you to do both by placing him at the center of your decision making processes.

And let me just tell you, Michael, this transformation isn't just possible. It's so much bigger than that. It's his promise. It's his promise to you. When you align your business with his purposes, the choice is yours, Michael.

You can continue feeling this spiritual disconnect. I felt that. Or you can take that first step today. Start with that prayer before prophets. Let principles guide your decisions.

Watch how God transformed not just your spiritual life, but your entire approach to business. The time for transformation isn't tomorrow. It's right now. It's today, Michael. And to you. Who else are listening right now?

This is your moment of transformation.

Now don't forget that I've created a blog post to complement today's show and that is found askralphpodcast.com/blog and I'm going to encourage you to check out those daily posts because I go a little deeper there and provide additional resources. So let me ask you something that's been weighing on your heart.

Are you tired of feeling like you have to choose between business success and your faith? The truth is, you're standing at a crossroads.

Every morning you wake up facing that same struggle, trying to balance profit margins with biblical principles. But here's what I want you to understand.

This inner conflict, this inner conflict you experience isn't a burden, like I've said a few times, it's actually an invitation to something greater in today's cutthroat business world. And that's where we live, my friends, where it seems like everyone's choosing between profits or principles.

You have the opportunity to do something truly revolutionary to build your business on an unshakable foundation of faith. So I am calling you to take action today. Not tomorrow, not next week.

Because every day you wait is another day of running your business on limited human wisdom. Instead of God's infinite guidance, you got a CEO that has infinite guidance.

And I also want to speak directly to you listening, the Christian entrepreneur who's wrestling with a critical question. You're wrestling with can your faith really become your greatest business asset?

And that's a tough question in today's business world where profit often seems to overshadow purpose. Hey, listen, this is where we are. You might feel torn between financial success and staying true to your Christian values, but here's the truth.

And I discovered this through years of mentoring entrepreneurs just like you. Listen to me now. This isn't a choice you have to make. I wrote a book. It's called the Gospel of Entrepreneurship.

And it's not just another addition to your book, your business book collection. It's the bridge between your faith and financial success that you've been seeking.

And through this transformative guide, you'll discover how to do these things. I'm going to tell you how to build your business on unshakable foundations of faith. Just like Matthew 6:33 teaches us to seek first his kingdom.

I'm going to show you how you can transform your daily business decisions through biblical wisdom and prayerful consideration. I can tell you how to do that. I'm going to show you how to create a purpose driven enterprise that balances profitability with positive impact.

And I'm going to show you how to develop customer relationships and team loyalty built on Christian principles, those principles of integrity and service. Because, listen, I've walked this path myself. I'm not somebody just making up these platitudes.

I face the same challenges that all of you are experiencing now.

And through personal experience and countless conversations with other Christian entrepreneurs, I've seen how integrating faith into business practices doesn't just maintain success, it multiplies it. And this isn't about some superficial adding prayer to your morning routine.

It's about fundamentally shifting how you approach every aspect of your business, from that financial stewardship to managing adversity. And you're going to have adversity in your business.

But when you align your business goal with God's plan, you invite divine guidance into every single decision you make. In today's uncertain business climate. You need that more than any other conventional strategy.

You need wisdom that's rooted in something deeper, something eternal. And my book, Gospel of Entrepreneurship provides you with practical frameworks for making decisions that both honor profit and purpose.

I talk about how to build ethical practices and build those into your daily operations and how to create social impact while maintaining financial stability. Because yes, you can do both. So listen to me. Don't let another day pass feeling disconnected between your faith and your business calling.

Visit Ask Ralph podcast askralph.com/gospel now to get your copy of my book, Gospel of Entrepreneurship. And let's transform your business into a testimony of how faith and entrepreneurship work together to create lasting success.

Because remember this, your business isn't just a venture. Hear me on this. It's a ministry waiting to impact lives.

So let Gospel of Entrepreneurship show you how to build a legacy that honors God while at the same time achieving this success he has planned for you. Take action now. Again, go to askralphpodcast.com/gospel and together we can master your business finances from that Christian perspective.

And you know, Michael, as we wrap up today's exploration of aligning faith and business success, I want to guide you through some powerful reflection questions. I always end the show with these. And listen, these questions aren't just meant to make you think I want them to do that.

But they're designed to help you discover how God might be working in your business right at this moment.

Just as we discussed how prayer should be our first business strategy, these reflection questions serve as a form of prayerful consideration for your marketing agency's future. They're going to help you examine where you are in your journey of aligning your business goals with God's greater purpose.

And before I share these questions, listen, I want you to do something for me. I want you to find a quiet space away from client calls, away from camp. You know, those campaign metrics of a marketing campaign.

Maybe it's time to grab your business journal or open a fresh note on your phone.

Because this goal, the goal I have right now is to create a moment of purposeful pause, just like I talked about, you know, know, establishing that strong foundation rooted in faith. So let these questions guide you in discovering how your marketing agency can become not just a successful business. And it's probably already there.

You say it's growing, but a powerful testimony of how faith and entrepreneurship can work together in harmony. Because remember this, Michael, isn't just about finding answers. It's so much bigger than that.

It's about opening yourself to God's guidance in your business journey. So here's my three reflection questions that I want you to consider.

Number one, have you been letting business demands crowd out your spiritual practices? I've been there, done that. And what specific times in your daily schedule could you use to reclaim for prayer and seeking God guidance? Take a moment.

Write down three specific time slots where you could integrate prayer into your business routine.

Number two, when you examine your current business decisions and client relationships, where do you see opportunities to better align your marketing agency's practice with the biblical principles, those biblical principles of integrity and service and stewardship? Maybe you want to consider writing down three recent business situations where you could have approached things differently.

You can learn from those things. And number three, what unique talents and passions has God given you that could be better utilized to make a positive impact through your agency?

I want you to reflect on how these gifts could transform your business from just not just a profit center, but into a ministry that serves others while honoring God. So Michael, I want to encourage you.

I want to encourage you to spend time with these questions, maybe journal them, put your thoughts down, or discuss them with a trusted mentor. Because remember, this isn't just about self improvement. It's about discovering how God wants to use your business as a vehicle for his purposes.

See, because your marketing agency can be more than just a successful business, it can become a powerful testimony that people will see of how faith and entrepreneurship work together to create lasting impact and you know as powerful. Today's discussion has been about aligning faith with business success.

I want to share something critical we're covering tomorrow that can protect your financial future as well. We're going to be tackling a crucial aspect of financial stewardship that many Christians overlook. And that's getting.

I know this sounds silly, but getting an IRS protection pin. But listen, it's all about stewardship.

This small but powerful step can help you exercise wise stewardship over those resources that God has entrusted you. Because think about it.

Just as we discussed how biblical principles should guide our business decisions, tomorrow's episode will show you how to proactively protect your tax identity as part of your overall financial stewardship. And we're right in tax season, so the time is now.

So I'm going to explore tomorrow exactly how to obtain this pin, why it matters for your financial security, and how it fits into God's calling for us to be wise managers of our resources.

So before I wrap up today's episode, I want to remind you, if you're feeling overwhelmed by trying to navigate these financial waters while staying true to your faith, listen to me. You're not alone on this journey. I've been there. Michael's there.

As someone who's faced these same challenges and found practical ways to bridge the gap between faith and finances, I'm here to help you. I'm here to help guide you through your own transformation. And everybody's situation is different.

So if you need more personalized guidance in applying these principles we discussed today, I'm going to encourage you. I'm going to highly encourage you. Book a one on one consultation with me. You can go right to askralph.com, when you get there.

Click on the button that says book a call with Ralph and together we can develop a tailored plan that aligns with both your financial security goals and your faith. So as we close today's show, I want to leave you with this final thought. Your financial journey isn't just about protecting wealth. That's part of it.

But it's about being a faithful steward of what God has given you. What he's already given you. And when we approach our finances with this perspective, every decision becomes an opportunity to honor God.

And that's what we all are striving for. So remember this my passion and I know you can feel today because this is probably one of the most passionate episodes I've ever done.

My passion is to help you achieve financial success. I want to see you live out your dreams. I want to see you live in God's purpose for your life. And I want to see your faith explode.

And I know together we can work together to master your finances from that Christian perspective. So as I always end this show, stay financially savvy, and may God bless you abundantly.

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00:36:26

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