‘There will be seasons where balance feels impossible—and that’s okay. What matters most is your posture. Colossians 3:23 encourages us: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” We’re not building for applause—we’re building for eternity,’ says Salomé Criddle.
I’m passionate about hearing the journeys of other women who are juggling it all. Their insights don’t just inspire me—they remind me I’m not alone in carrying the many responsibilities I’ve been called to steward. It’s not always easy, but somehow, by God’s grace, I’m managing to show up for the things that matter most: my relationship with God, my family, and even my wider church family.
I’ve come to believe I can’t grow or improve in any area of my life—including finding a healthier work-life balance—without drawing wisdom from the Word
I’ve come to believe I can’t grow or improve in any area of my life, including finding a healthier work-life balance, without drawing wisdom from the Word and learning from those who are showing how they’re navigating it in real time.
A woman I deeply admire is Emma Grede, CEO and co-founder of the denim company Good American, a founding partner of Skims, and co-founder of Safely. She recently made a statement that sparked quite a bit of conversation. It was a little controversial, but it challenged my perspective and made me reflect more deeply on how I approach this whole idea of balance. She said: “Balancing work and personal life is not your employer’s problem.”
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That one sentence, splashed across a viral Instagram post, caused a stir. I scrolled through the comments—many in disbelief, others in disagreement. Some echoed frustration: “We’re not robots.” “We don’t want to be treated like numbers.” “What happened to rest, humanity, empathy?”
The comments didn’t surprise me. They reflected a very real and growing tension, especially among younger generations, about the value of work-life balance.
Statistics back this up. A recent survey by Ciphr found that 70% of women and 65% of men consider work-life balance more important than salary and benefits combined. That’s a significant shift. It tells us that while we still honour hard work, many of us—especially women—are crying out for more rhythm. Not hustle without heart, not grind without grace.
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We want to succeed, yes. But we also want to live.
We want to succeed, yes. But we also want to live. And not in a burnout, hustle-till-you-drop kind of way. In a way that feels whole. Intentional. Thriving. The truth is, I don’t believe Emma’s statement was as harsh as it first seemed. If anything, I saw a deeper wisdom in it. She wasn’t saying people don’t matter. She was simply reminding us that we are responsible for creating the life we want. Employers aren’t life architects. They’re running businesses. It’s our responsibility to know what we need, and to build boundaries accordingly.
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That struck a chord with me. Because biblically, we are called to be stewards of what God has placed in our hands—including our time, our energy, our health, and our purpose. Galatians 6:5 reminds us that “each one should carry their own load.” That doesn’t mean we walk alone. But it does mean we’re accountable for how we show up in our lives.
Honestly, I don’t think we’ll ever master perfect balance. But I do believe we can live wisely and intentionally by leaning into the biblical principles that help us navigate our many roles with more grace and strength.
Emma’s clarity fuels her success. She knows what she wants, and she acts accordingly. As believers, our version of that starts with asking God what He wants. Matthew 6:33 reminds us to “seek first the Kingdom of God… and all these things shall be added to you.” Order matters. When God is first, everything else can align.
Even Jesus withdrew to quiet places to rest (Luke 5:16). Rest isn’t a reward—it’s a rhythm. Schedule margin. Create work hours. Say no when you need to. Boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re sacred.
There will be seasons where balance feels impossible—and that’s okay. What matters most is your posture. Colossians 3:23 encourages us: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” We’re not building for applause—we’re building for eternity.
Balance isn’t just about outsourcing responsibility, it’s about owning your rhythm. As a woman of faith navigating business, motherhood, and ministry, I’ve learnt that the goal isn’t perfection, it’s obedience. It’s showing up for the work God has called me to do, without losing the woman He created me to be. So yes, let’s pursue purpose with passion. But never trade peace for progress. May your “yes” to God include rest, boundaries, joy, and thriving relationships. After all, success that costs you everything… is too expensive.
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