Aligning Your STR Goals with God’s Plan for Success

faith & your business goal setting Apr 17, 2025

As a short-term rental (STR) host, you’re not just running a business—you’re stewarding a calling. Many Christians wonder if pursuing ambitious goals, like growing a thriving STR business, conflicts with God’s plan. On the contrary, Scripture encourages us to chase our dreams with faith, trusting that God has planted those desires in our hearts. By aligning your STR goals with divine purpose, you can achieve success that glorifies God while delivering exceptional guest experiences and financial rewards. Drawing on biblical wisdom and practical strategies, this guide will help you discover God’s plan for your STR business and crush your goals in 2025 and beyond.

God’s Promise for Your Success

Scripture offers clear encouragement for pursuing your goals. Consider these passages:

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV): Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

In Jeremiah, God assures us of a plan for prosperity and hope. For STR hosts, this might mean a flourishing rental business that provides for your family, blesses guests, and reflects your faith. The story of Jabez shows that boldly asking for God’s blessing and guidance can lead to extraordinary outcomes, like expanding your STR portfolio or increasing bookings. God has placed the desire to succeed in your heart—your task is to uncover and follow that plan prayerfully.

Step 1: Discover God’s Plan for Your STR

God’s plan often reveals itself through your passions and persistent dreams. To find it, try these strategies tailored for STR hosts:

Identify Your Passion: What excites you about hosting? Is it creating memorable guest experiences, designing a cozy retreat, or growing a portfolio of properties? Your passion holds clues to God’s plan. For example, if you love curating local experiences for guests, God may be calling you to build a brand around unique, community-focused rentals.
Face Hidden Callings: Is there a goal you’re avoiding, like launching a direct booking website or investing in a second property? Sometimes, fear or self-doubt (your ego) pushes away God’s plan. Prayerfully examine these nudges—they may point to your next step, such as partnering with a vendor to streamline operations.
Use the “What Then?” Trick: Ask, “If I achieve this goal (e.g., 80% occupancy), what then?” Keep asking until you uncover a deeper vision, like “I want to create a legacy of hospitality that supports missions.” This “ah-ha” moment aligns your STR goals with God’s ultimate plan.

Spend time in prayer and reflection to discern these insights. Journal your thoughts or discuss them with a trusted mentor to gain clarity.

Step 2: Trust God’s Unfolding Path

God rarely reveals the entire plan at once. Your STR journey may involve unexpected twists—perhaps a slow season or a maintenance challenge—but these are opportunities to trust God’s guidance. As Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” For example, launching a new listing might feel daunting, but God may provide the right vendor or guest at the perfect time.

To stay aligned:

Pray Daily: Seek God’s wisdom for decisions, like pricing strategies or property upgrades.
Embrace Flexibility: If a goal (e.g., adding a hot tub) hits a snag, trust God to redirect you, perhaps toward a more affordable amenity like solar lighting.
Celebrate Small Wins: Each booking or 5-star review is a step toward God’s plan. Thank Him for progress, no matter how small.

Step 3: Pray Like Jabez for Your STR

The Prayer of Jabez offers a powerful model for STR hosts. Adapt Jabez’s requests to your business:

Ask for Blessing and Expansion: Pray, “Lord, bless my STR with the resources, wisdom, and guests to grow according to Your will.” This might mean higher occupancy, a new property, or partnerships with vendors who enhance your offerings. For instance, NSTRA’s Preferred Sponsors provide discounted services like insurance, cleaning, and photography to help your business thrive. Visit nationalshorttermrentalassociation.com and sign in to access these savings.
Seek God’s Guidance: Like Jabez’s plea, “Let your hand be with me,” ask God to guide your decisions—whether choosing a dynamic pricing tool or responding to guest inquiries. Commit to listening through prayer, Scripture, or wise counsel. For example, if you’re unsure about a renovation, pray for clarity and explore NSTRA’s vendor list for affordable contractors and discounts on their products and services.
Request Protection: Pray, “Keep my business, family, and guests from harm.” This includes practical steps like securing STR-specific insurance. NSTRA’s Preferred Sponsors, such as [Proper Insurance], offer member-exclusive discounts on coverage tailored for rentals. Check nationalshorttermrentalassociation.com/insurance to learn more.
Act in Faith: Jabez’s request was granted because he acted according to God’s will. Set goals that reflect your faith—e.g., upgrading your listing photos or offering a guest welcome basket—and trust God to provide the means.

Step 4: Set and Crush Faith-Aligned Goals

With God’s plan in view, set specific, measurable goals for your STR. Examples include:

Increase bookings by 20% in six months using professional photos.
Launch a second property by Q3 2025 with financing aligned with your budget.
Reduce maintenance costs by partnering with NSTRA-vetted vendors.

Break these into actionable steps:

Research: Study top listings in your market to refine your strategy (see NSTRA’s blog on crafting listings).
Invest Wisely: Allocate $500-$1,000 for low-cost upgrades, like smart locks or energy-efficient lighting, to boost guest appeal.
Track Progress: Use a spreadsheet (like the one NSTRA hosts can adapt from our resources) to monitor bookings and expenses.

Stay connected to God through prayer, asking for strength to overcome challenges, like negative reviews or market shifts. With faith and action, you’ll crush your goals as Jabez did.

Final Thoughts

God has a plan for your STR business—one of prosperity, hope, and impact. By discovering your passion, trusting God’s guidance, praying boldly, and setting faith-aligned goals, you can build a thriving rental that blesses guests and honors Him. Start today: pray for clarity, take one step toward your vision, and leverage NSTRA’s resources to make it happen. Our Preferred Sponsors offer discounted tools and services to help you succeed. Sign in at nationalshorttermrentalassociation.com to unlock exclusive savings and grow your STR with confidence.