Episode 98: The Power of Rest at Work with Colleen Rouse

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In this deeply grounding episode of Thrive Today Podcast, host Natalie Born sits down with Thrive Today founder and Victory Church pastor Colleen Rouse to unpack one of the most misunderstood and most resisted topics in leadership: rest. Together, they explore why rest often carries guilt for high achievers, how striving quietly erodes trust and creativity, and why God’s design for work has always been rooted in rhythm, boundaries, and grace.

From perfectionism and trauma responses to Sabbath mentality and stewardship, this conversation reframes rest not as a reward for finishing—but as the foundation from which healthy leadership flows. If you’ve ever struggled to turn your brain off, tied your worth to productivity, or felt trapped in pressure-driven performance, this episode offers both spiritual clarity and practical tools to lead from peace instead of pressure.

[00:00 – 02:30] Why Rest Feels So Uncomfortable for Leaders
• Why the word rest can trigger guilt, fear, or shame.
• How modern work culture rewards constant output over sustainable rhythm.
• Introducing the tension between high achievement and overachievement.

[02:31 – 05:30] When High Achievement Turns into Striving
• The internal pressure that drives overwork more than deadlines do.
• Why overachieving often leads to burnout, not impact.
• How striving reveals deeper issues of trust and identity.

[05:31 – 09:00] Rest Begins Before the Work
• “Rest doesn’t begin when you’re done—it precedes the work.”
• Understanding Sabbath as a posture, not just a practice.
• Why so many leaders struggle to quiet their minds at night.

[09:01 – 12:30] Boundaries, Trust, and God’s Design for Work
• Why anxiety increases when boundaries are absent.
• How Sabbath helps leaders recognize when striving begins.
• Clarifying what belongs to us—and what belongs to God.

[12:31 – 16:00] Grace as the Diagnostic Tool
• How to tell whether you’re operating in grace or pressure.
• Why grace doesn’t remove difficulty—but brings ease.
• Learning to identify where God is already at work.

[16:01 – 19:30] Perfectionism, Trauma, and Leadership Culture
• How perfectionism is often rooted in a lack of contentment.
• Why control can be a trauma response, not a leadership strength.
• The impact of unresolved patterns on teams and organizations.

[19:31 – 22:30] Stewardship vs. Ownership
• Why leaders often carry weight they were never meant to hold.
• The difference between being an owner and a steward.
• How stewardship restores margin, clarity, and peace.

[22:31 – End] Practical Practices for Restful Leadership
• Using Scripture, worship, and journaling to retrain the mind.
• Creating margin as a spiritual discipline.
• Leading from identity as a daughter and friend of God—not performance.

Quotes:

“Rest doesn’t begin when you’re done working—it precedes the work.” – Colleen Rouse

“Grace doesn’t make your job easier; it gives you ease while doing it.” – Colleen Rouse

“You have nothing to prove. You have everything to give.” – Colleen Rouse
About Colleen Rouse

Colleen Rouse is the founder of Thrive Today and the founding pastor of Victory Church in Norcross, Georgia. She is a trusted voice for faith-centered leadership, helping high-capacity leaders move from pressure-driven performance to grace-filled stewardship.

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