EquipHer Vol. 31: "Born to Thrive, Not Just Survive!"Näide

Day 1 – Let God Establish Your Steps

"God is my business partner. I pray over everything." — Melanie Cox

What does it really mean to have a business partner?

A partner is someone who shares your vision, weighs in on your decisions, and walks alongside you with equal investment. You do not make major moves without them. You seek their wisdom and you trust their voice. A partner is not a consultant you call after the decision has been made —they are part of the decision making process from the beginning.

So, if God is our ultimate business partner, then we cannot afford to treat Him like a last resort—we are meant to build with Him. This means involving Him in every decision - when to expand, who to hire, which contract to decline, which to accept, where to invest, how to lead, etc.

Melanie Cox, a faith-driven entrepreneur and EquipHer speaker, lives this principle with unapologetic conviction.

“God is my business partner. I pray over everything.”

Her words are not just inspirational—they are instructional. When God is your business partner, you do not separate faith from business, you seek His wisdom as your strategy. Instead of rushing into every open door, you learn to pause, pray, and discern whether that door is truly yours to walk through.

As we begin this journey, here is the first biblical principle we want to ground ourselves in: allow God to establish your steps.

This principle is all about alignment: partnering with God means we refuse to build based on public pressures, self-logic, or popular opinion. We build in response to His presence. We move when He tells us to do so.

The more we invite Him into our business life - seeking His guidance, wisdom, and discernment through daily prayers and conversations - the more we learn to recognize His rhythm, red flags, and gentle prompts.

Scripture affirms this powerful way of leading: “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9, ESV). In other words, planning is good and strategy is wise, but success is not found in how much we hustle—it is found in how much we align ourselves to His Word.

True success flows from obedience (see Joshua 1:8).

In 1 Samuel 23:1–5, David is not yet king and is still in the wilderness, navigating political threats and military pressures. One day, he hears that the Philistines are attacking the town of Keilah (a city in Judah, part of his own people’s territory), and as a rising military leader and anointed future king, David was most likely expected to defend the city, rescue the people, win the battle. A clear-cut decision that many leaders would have probably made.

However, instead of rushing into action, David paused and asked God what to do next: “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” (1 Samuel 23:2, ESV). God answered: “Go,” yet David did something even more surprising—he asked again. God responded a second time with confirmation: “Go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand” (1 Samuel 23:4, ESV).

Only then does David act. This is what it looks like to lead with God: even when the opportunity seems obvious, David does not move until God says go. That is true partnership.

As women in business, we carry hundreds of thousands of decisions in our minds on a daily basis—pitches to make, teams to lead, strategies to develop, family activities to plan, etc., and sometimes, when a door opens or an opportunity shines, we assume it must be from God and immediately take it. However, David’s story teaches us something radical: not all open doors are God-ordained. Even the right opportunity at the wrong time can become a trap.

So, we must pause, ask, and remember:

• Discernment precedes execution.
• Seeking God’s guidance is not hesitation—it is wisdom.
• A “yes” from the world does not replace a “go” from God.

Today, before you walk into your next meeting, presentation, or negotiation, ask yourself: “Did I invite God into this conversation?” and “How might my current plans shift if I let God establish my steps?”

Prayer: Lord, I do not want to move without You. Teach me to plan with wisdom, but trust You to establish my steps. Remind me that real success is not found in ambition, but in alignment. I want You to be my ultimate Partner in every decision. Show me where You are leading, and give me the courage to follow. Amen.