Running a business can feel like a rollercoaster—thrilling at times but
Finding Joy in Business: Taming the Chaos with Nicole Roth
Running a business is often described as a rollercoaster—full of exhilarating highs and exhausting lows. Many entrepreneurs start with a passion for their work, only to find themselves buried under financial pressures, demanding clients, and the never-ending to-do list. At some point, the joy they once had starts to fade.
But what if joy wasn't something that had to be lost in the process of running a business? What if joy could actually be a foundation for how you work, lead, and grow?
This is exactly what I explored in a conversation with Joy Coach Nicole Roth. We dove deep into how business owners—especially those who are faith-driven—can stop striving and find joy in the midst of financial and operational chaos.
"I have literally written in my journal: 'I can't go like this forever.'" — Penny
"God made me the way that I am… so how do I not be who I was created to be, and yet at the same time, how do I not have a heart attack by the time I'm 40?" — Penny
Many business owners struggle with an underlying belief that their worth is tied to their work. They feel the pressure to keep saying yes, to hustle harder, and to push through—even when their bodies and spirits are screaming for rest.
Nicole shared how her own journey of battling health issues led her to realize that striving was killing her—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It wasn't until she truly surrendered and trusted God's provision that she found the ability to live with joy instead of exhaustion.
For many business owners, the fear of slowing down is tied to their financial livelihood. But here's the truth: God never called us to carry the weight of our businesses alone. Rest isn't a luxury—it's a necessity for sustaining the energy, wisdom, and clarity needed to grow.
If you're constantly pushing, your body is feeling it—even if you don't realize it yet. Stress impacts blood sugar, sleep, digestion, and even hormone regulation.
I shared my own experience of tracking my blood sugar and realizing how significantly it improved when I was truly at rest. The numbers didn't lie—peace produced physical healing.
"Your nervous system tells the truth. If you're always in 'fight or flight,' your body is going to show you. Blood sugar, sleep, digestion—everything is affected." — Nicole
"I hear the voice in my head saying no… but somehow what comes out of my mouth is totally the opposite." — Penny
One of the biggest struggles for high-achieving business owners is learning to say no. Nicole challenged me (and all of us) to reframe the idea of saying no. Every yes you give that isn't aligned with your calling is taking away from something else God has for you.
Instead of rushing to say yes, pause and pray. Ask God if this opportunity is truly for you. If it's not, let it go without guilt.
"Papa Trump is not our supplier. The economy is not our supplier. Our jobs are not our suppliers. Our clients are not our suppliers. But God supplies all of our needs." — Penny
At the end of the conversation, I reflected on something that hit me deeply: our business is not our supplier. Neither is the economy, our clients, or the government.
God is our provider. Just like He supplied daily manna to the Israelites in the wilderness, He supplies exactly what we need today. When we trust in that truth, we can release the pressure, lean into His direction, and rediscover the joy in what we do.
As business owners, we're always told to have a "call to action" at the end of everything. But maybe today, the best call isn't to action—it's to rest.
Take a moment to pause. Breathe. Check in with where your stress levels are. And remember: you were never meant to do this alone.
Want to work with someone who understands both the financial and emotional weight of running a business? I help Kingdom-minded business owners bring order to their financial chaos so they can grow with confidence.
If you want to dive deeper into finding joy in business, connect with Nicole Roth: 📺 YouTube: She Abides in Joy
Originally published on 1610bookkeeping.com
Ready to get your financial system working for you? Take the free Business Financial Health Check → or schedule a free call — no pressure, just clarity.