The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Do you feel like God is leading you to make some changes as we head into this new season? I’ve had several people over the years ask me what advice I would give to a first generation farmer. These are things you can apply to your life, no matter what you’re doing.
Proverbs 3:5–6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
The best advice I’d give is to surrender daily, let the Holy Spirit guide you, keep God first and trust Him. Have patience and know that God’s timing is always perfect.
Read your Bible daily and let Him guide your decisions. Help others when you have the opportunity, because you can’t out give God. Don’t let anything become an idol.
Make time for your spouse and kids. Ask God to surround yourself with other believers and positive like minded people. Iron sharpens iron.
Also make time for friends and fellowship. Whether it’s a simple phone call or text. Get plugged into a men’s or women’s group. This one has been life changing for me.
Be slow to anger and ask God for help with every little detail throughout each day. Don’t look at your neighbors and where they’re at. Jealousy and bitterness will destroy a person.
Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Do your best in everything and take care of the land, crops and equipment to the best of your ability, leaving the rest in Gods hands.
Ignore the negativity and gossip from others. Don’t talk bad about others either. Treat everyone with love, kindness and respect. This is only possible with help from the Holy Spirit.
Be trustworthy and a man of your word. Make sure you take time to rest and not get burnt out. Never give up, no matter how tough life gets.
Lean on God for strength and trust Him. Do business in ways that honor and glorify God. Love others as God loves us, even when they may be hard to love.
Remember that having a relationship with God won’t eliminate the hard times and difficulties, but He promises to be there to help you through them every step of the way.
No matter how tough life gets, don’t rely on substances or other vices to numb the pain or help you relax. Surrender to God daily and trust Him with every area of your life. Focus on Jesus and not your circumstances.
Never forget that your operation, land, crops, finances and equipment are all Gods, we’re just on the ground putting in the work and He’s in control. Praying about everything and having a relationship with God is crucial.
Sometimes trusting God doesn’t mean everything makes sense, it just means I believe He’s leading even when I can’t see the path ahead. Like a shepherd with his sheep, He knows what I need before I ever ask.
I’ve learned that rest isn’t laziness when God is the one calling me to be still. When I slow down long enough to listen, He restores parts of my soul I didn’t even realize were worn out and uses it for a greater purpose.
Walking through hard seasons that seem disastrous doesn’t mean God has left. Many times, those valleys are where I’ve felt His love and presence the strongest. He doesn’t promise we won’t walk through them, He promises we won’t walk through them alone.
Obedience to God doesn’t always bring comfort right away, but it always brings peace with His perfect timing. Looking back, I can see how His way protected me, even when I didn’t understand it at the time. He will use any situation for the good and to refine us.
My goal isn’t success as the world defines it, it’s faithfulness and obedience. If I can stay close to the Shepherd, I trust that His goodness and mercy will keep finding me, one step at a time.
Be open to change and always let God work in your life. Refinement and sanctification is a never ending process. Lastly never ever forget that nothing is impossible for God and let Him use you for His glory to help others!