Preparing for Rain: How to Keep Hope When Business Gets Hard

What do you do when everything in your business seems perfect one day and crumbles the next?

How do you face the waves of disappointment, disbelief, and despair?

What thoughts spin around your mind, trying to ignite shame, fear, and anger in your heart?

As a mompreneur, it can feel especially overwhelming when challenges arise. We juggle the responsibilities of running a business with raising a family, and when one of those areas gets shaken—whether it's a financial setback, an unexpected difficulty with clients, or a personal struggle—it can feel like everything is unraveling at once.

But the personal side of things isn’t the only challenge…

"Did I do something wrong?"
"Do I charge too much?"
"Will I ever have a successful business?"

If you're anything like me, doing a job well and having satisfied clients is incredibly important. As a mom who struggles with people-pleasing and anxiety, the weight of worrying about what clients think, what others think, and even what I think can be crippling. I want to perform well both professionally and personally and I’m sure I’m not alone.

So, what do you do when you're left reeling from an unexpected setback in your business?

You prepare for rain.

Take a look at this passage from 1 Kings 18:41-45:

“And Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, ‘Go up now, look toward the sea.’ And he went up and looked and said, ‘There is nothing.’ And he said, ‘Go again,’ seven times. And at the seventh time he said, ‘Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.’ And he said, ‘Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you. And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain.”

In the verses leading up to this passage, Israel had endured a great famine for three years due to idol worship. It was in the third year that Elijah heard the sound of rain. He told Ahab to eat and drink, and Ahab obeyed. Elijah sent his servant to look for rain—six times—and each time there was nothing. After three years of drought, I can imagine the doubt the servant might have felt after the sixth time.

But on the seventh time, a small cloud appeared, and Elijah told Ahab to prepare for rain. Shortly after, the skies darkened, winds blew, and a great downpour followed.

Mama, when the struggle feels real, preparing for rain can seem foolish or impossible. But consider this: if you received what you want for your business right now, would you be ready for it?

If you pray for 10 new clients, do you have the workflows and capacity to handle that volume?
If you pray for 5 speaking engagements this month, do you have enough childcare and time to prepare?
If you pray for 50 shirt orders, do you have funds to cover material costs and a system to fulfill them on time?

Perhaps the growth we desire wouldn’t be a blessing at this moment—but a burden.

So, as you walk through unexpected trials, here are a few ways to prepare for rain:

1. Take Your Thoughts Captive

The Bible is clear about how we should control our thoughts. While it’s easy to let negativity consume us during tough times, we must be vigilant about what we allow ourselves to think.

If a negative thought enters your mind, turn it into a prayer.
If fear creeps in, ask God for peace and clarity.
If anger over someone’s actions swells, pray blessings over them.

Take charge of your thoughts—they are the first step in preparing for rain.

2. Review Your Offerings

Sometimes we need to look honestly at our business. Consider whether there’s anything in your offerings that could be adjusted. This isn’t about shame—this is about growth.

If you made mistakes, own up to them.
If you didn’t do anything wrong, don’t make it about you.

Do you feel unclear about what you offer? If so, prospective clients likely feel the same way. Spend time clarifying your services and your pricing, so prospects know exactly what you have to offer.

3. Strengthen Your Foundation

One of the best ways to prepare for growth is to make sure your systems and processes are solid. Where do cracks appear in your business? What are the time sucks?

Can you simplify your consultation process?
Do you need to create a calendar for easier scheduling?
Should you automate your onboarding or set up a task management system?

Now is the time to build up the foundations of your business. When the rain comes—when the growth you've prayed for arrives—you want to be ready for it.

4. Pray for the Rain

Don’t lose hope. Keep your priorities straight.
Are you praying for growth but neglecting time with God?
Are you obsessing over your business but not spending time in prayer?

If you’re in a season of drought, use this time wisely. What seeds can you plant today that will bear fruit in the future? Are you struggling to know how to grow your business? Remember, if you are living a righteous life as a child of God, you can ask for wisdom in faith, and receive it.

A season of discouragement and struggle is tough, but you are not alone. Many others have faced similar challenges, and are right alongside you in the trenches.

Prepare for rain, mama. Ask in faith.

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