Dear Friend,
As I study the Bible, I learn that it is the cheat code. The more I delve into the lives of Biblical characters, the more I notice the genius of God. The Bible contains all the strategies we need for business, familial, and personal success.
As you know, we are 20 days into the 52-day Builder's Challenge, which centers on focus and strategy. Before the challenge was a challenge, I taught on Nehemiah. My following teaching focused on Deborah, most recently on Gideon. Do you know what these three leaders had in common? Each conducted a SWOT analysis.
SWOT Explained:
In business, a SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool used to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a business or project. It involves identifying internal and external factors that could positively or negatively impact the organization and assessing their potential impact. Strengths and weaknesses are internal factors such as resources, skills, and processes, while opportunities and threats are external factors such as market trends, competition, and economic factors. By conducting a SWOT analysis, organizations can gain insights into their current situation and make informed decisions about future actions and strategies.
Nehemiah's Building SWOT
In Nehemiah 2:11-16, we see Nehemiah accessing the damage to the wall that he will eventually repair. By accessing the damage, he's conducting a SWOT analysis. Then, if we flip over to Chapter 3, we see the outcome. Because Nehemiah analyzed this in Chapter 2, he was able to strategically employ people to help rebuild the wall over 52 days. In fact, there are 42 men named in Chapter 3 who each worked on a particular portion of the wall. While they certainly had more people helping, the men named were strategic. More plainly, they were known for specific strengths and Nehemiah employed them accordingly.
Outcome: The wall was rebuilt in 52 days.
Deborah's Battle SWOT
Deborah was instrumental in the children of Israel's victory. As a prophetess and judge, she had insight and authority that would help them win freedom from Sisera. In Judges 4:6, Deborah strategically instructs Barak to enlist the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun in the battle against Sisera. If you don't know, the tribe of Naphtali was known to be wrestlers, and the tribe of Zebulun was known to be wealthy and knew the terrain of the water. The reason Naphtali was needed was that they were street fighters. More plainly, they will knuck if you buck. Zebulun's tribe was necessary because God promised to lead Sisera's army to the river for defeat, so Barak needed people skilled in water movement who could finance the battle.
Outcome: They won the battle.
Gideon's War SWOT
In Judges 6:35, after God gives Gideon instruction to go in his strength to deliver Israel, we see the result of Gideon's swot analysis. The Bible tells us that he asked the tribes of Asher, Naphtali, and Zebulun to fight alongside him. The tribe of Asher was known for happiness, prosperity, and good food. They had a fertile plot of land where they grew olive trees. As a result of their olive oil production, they gained wealth. I already mentioned that Naphtali's tribe was known for wrestling. It's fascinating, though, because Gideon's tribe, descendants of Manasseh, were warriors. So while Gideon's tribe was trained for battle, he still partnered with the street fighters (Naphtali). Additionally, he drafted the tribe of Zebulun, who were fantastic with finances and knew the waterways.
Outcome: They completely defeated their oppressors and were never oppressed by them again.
So what do we learn? A SWOT analysis is important. Whether you're building a business, a family, your life, or career, you must approach it strategically. You cannot just start building without proper and strategic assessment. As I always say, the only way to quickly close the gap between where you are and where you want to be is by strategy.
How prepared are you to close that gap?
If you're ready to take your faith, finances, lifestyle, business, or unpack those God ideas, book a strategy session with me today!