Mental Health and Entrepreneurs

Why are entrepreneurs 2x-10x more likely to suffer from mental health issues? Part of the reason is that creativity correlates to certain mental illnesses. Another reason is that entrepreneurs work long hours and assume more responsibility for failure, which leads to worry and anxiety. Finally, there simply aren’t enough supports for entrepreneurs – either entrepreneurs don’t know where to go for help or the supports simply don’t exist.

This Bible reading plan will help entrepreneurs grapple with questions surrounding mental health, provide solutions, and ground those solutions in God’s truth.

Day 1: David and the Hidden Battle of Depression

When we read the Psalms, we see a man who is caught in the grips of deep emotion. King David eloquently describes the highs and lows of emotions. Although we don’t have clear evidence for the hypothesis, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that David struggled with mental health issues and depression at certain points in his life. 

David accomplished great things in his life. Entrepreneurs also accomplish great things while also fighting difficult battles. In today’s Bible reading plan on depression, let’s take a look at how David processed his deep feelings.

Bible reading from Psalms.

Day 2: The Entrepreneur and Self-Image

It’s difficult for entrepreneurs to be honest with their image. It seems like we’re surrounded by confident, attractive, successful people who build million-dollar businesses without a sweat. Even difficulties are prettied up so that there’s a “right way” to go through tough times. Eyes set. Alarm ringing at 3am. Yes, you’re going through pain, but you’re an entrepreneur. You don’t break. And so the inspirational video goes. 

At the end of the day, God wants our honest hearts, not the facades we put up for others, or the version of ourselves we’re most proud of. But to give Him that requires humility. And the terrifying truth is that if we don’t humble ourselves, God might humble us for us.

Bible reading from Luke.

Day 3: Loneliness: The Death of the Lone Wolf

What would it look like for you – as an entrepreneur – to feel fully understood and fully loved? We don’t feel that way often, do we? Rather, many entrepreneurs spend their lives feeling isolated. Lonely. Even with an office full of people. 

Research has shown that loneliness leads to poor health and early death. It exacerbates existing mental health conditions and makes progress difficult. But Christians are offered a relationship with Jesus, someone who knows every part of you and loves you always. Though human community is critical, we can rely on Jesus’ presence when that community falls short. 

Bible reading from Matthew.

Day 4: Sexual Brokenness

Jay Stringer, a professional counselor dealing in unwanted sexual behaviors, teaches us an important lesson about sexual brokenness. For many people, sexual behavior and mental health are intimately connected. Sexual behavior allows some people to express emotions they can’t access otherwise. Sexual trauma leaves lasting scars on one’s emotional wellbeing. And for many, sexual release is one of the few escapes from a life full of stress, anxiety, and disappointment. 

Today’s Bible reading devotional focuses on why lust management falls short. We can’t just bottle it up and be fine. Instead, God offers an alternative way forward.

Bible reading from Romans.

Day 5: Worry and Anxiety

Worry is a tricky subject because on the surface it seems at odds with the Christian life. If we believe in a God who is in complete control over all things, then what could we possibly have to worry about? The guilt that comes from this type of thinking only makes our anxiety that much worse.

But as entrepreneurs, we need to get honest about our anxiety. We spend countless hours wondering if products will sell, whether difficult employees will soften their hearts, and whether or not we’re spending enough time with our families. But there is truth – deep truth – in today’s reading plan.

Bible reading from 1 Peter.

God Owns My Business

The Christian tradition uses the word “stewardship” when describing man’s relationship to work. While we may own things in our daily human interactions, we really don’t own anything in the grand scheme of things. As they say, you can’t take it with you.

What does it mean to acknowledge God as the owner of your business? That’s the question we will unpack in this Bible reading plan. 

Day 1: Co-Founders with God

God is the original entrepreneur. If anyone knows what it’s like to create and build something completely new, it’s Him. And we can see that from the very beginning He has created us to share in His entrepreneurial process.

This can be a tough concept for some entrepreneurs to grasp. If God is the owner of everything, then perhaps he doesn’t need (or want) our help at all. But ownership doesn’t equate to miserliness. Rather, God is a generous God who asks us to join with him in the task of flourishing and redemption. Rejoice that we are asked to be co-entrepreneurs with God!

Bible reading from Genesis.

Day 2: Working with God’s Goods

If you’re in any kind of manufacturing or production industry, you understand the importance of good materials. Since God is the ultimate creator, everything we use is from Him. And likewise, everything is given to us by Him in one way or another. 

If your company has grown year after year thanks to your ability to bootstrap and your consistent hard work and effort, it’s hard to surrender ownership of that to anyone. It’s never easy to look at our companies, businesses, and ideas, and say that they’re not ours—that they’re God’s. But if this verse is true, if God is who He says He is, then everything already belongs to Him anyway.

Bible reading from Deuteronomy.

Day 3: Will God Return to Claim What’s His?

In the Gospels, Jesus tells us that we will be judged according to what has been given us. We see in the parable of the talents that we’re expected to make good use of his gifts. Remember how Jesus asks us to store up treasure in heaven? We might even say that he asks us to multiply treasures in heaven through faithful service. 

All entrepreneurs should realize that God has given us businesses to steward. ​​Entrepreneurship about understanding that He has given us something, namely a business, with which we can honor, glorify, and worship Him.

Today’s Bible reading plan will encourage you to see your work as faithful service.

Bible reading from Luke.

God is My CEO

Does God have a job at your company? While God can’t be listed as a legal board member, it’s important for entrepreneurs to remember that God does have power over businesses. In many respects, we try to take God’s job away from Him because we’re worried or need to be in control. 

In this God is my CEO Bible reading plan, we will explore what it means to let God call the shots. We will hear from other entrepreneurs, leaders, and pastors along this journey. Get started today!

Day 1: What Can’t God Do?

Today, we are reminded that God is the one who allows us to do things we can never do on our own. Kelly Shackelford, CEO, shares what she experienced during the COVID pandemic. Though teams were isolated at home, God still did more than anyone could ask for imagine. From providing for churches through the CARES act to securing important pieces of legislation, God took charge and showed that He was the one with full power. 

Bible reading from Deuteronomy.

Day 2: God is Power

Power is… powerful. We all want to be able to control others and our circumstances. Power gives us security and influence. But in the Bible, we see that God is the true weilder of power and that trying to usurp that role can lead to disastrous results. 

In this devotional, we see how Jesus used power in order to fulfil His great purpose on this earth. Even if you company is in the Fortune 100, you need to remember that God uses power for His good.

Bible reading from Philippians.

Day 3: God Gives Us Value

Casey Crawford is the CEO of Movement Mortgage, which employs more than 4,500 and has over 650 locations in all 50 states. For much of his live, he’s found his value in performance. And what entrepreneur doesn’t? Most business roles will throw you under a microscope and demand excellent performance or risk being thrown aside just for someone else to take your place. But Casey reminds us that God gives us value.

Bible reading from Isaiah

Day 4: God Charts the Course

With God as our CEO, we don’t have to be ultimately responsible for the direction of our lives. Yes, we do participate in what God is doing on earth, but we no longer have to bear the weight of all anxiety and worry. Read how one entrepreneur turns to God during bouts of depression and confusion.

Bible reading from Nahum.

Day 5: Jesus Came to Live and to Give Life

Ephesians 5:1 is just one example of where we’re called to be imitators. There are literally dozens of verses like this. It’s a reminder that going back into the scripture and better understanding the message of Christ outside of the context of death, burial, and resurrection is truly life-giving. 

Bible reading from Ephesians.

Your Company’s Other Bottom Line

Sometimes it feels like faith driven entrepreneurs must serve two masters: the company bottom line and God. In this Bible reading plan, we unpack our business priorities. Specifically, how do our businesses produce fruit of the spirit? What if we worked in an economy that produced love, joy, and gentleness first and profit second?

If you feel like you’ve lost sight of your true purpose, consider working to build up another bottom line – Christ’s bottom line.

Day 1: Eyes on the Eternal

Rob Thomas experienced what no entrepreneur ever wants to face – his business partner committed fraud and nearly destroyed both their careers. If Rob was only focused on his business’ success, he could have justifiably cut off the relationship, pressed charges, and gone on with his life.

But Rob is a faith driven entrepreneur and decided to redeem the relationship. Now, his business is thriving.

Bible reading from 2 Corinthians.

Day 2: We Will One Day Hear “Well Done.”

Entrepreneurs seem bent on reaping their rewards in this life. We want the highest IPOs and the largest buyouts. We want people to praise us for our vision and organization. But is that a faith driven mindset?

Paul, however, was able to say that he was content in every situation. Dive into today’s Bible reading plan and consider who has the power to create wealth and who has the power to sustain us. Some of the most righteous men and women didn’t see incredible wealth in their lifetimes. But Jesus promises that those who remain faithful will receive a hearty “Well done!” in eternal life.

Bible reading from Deuteronomy.

Day 3: Life is Fleeting

Do you dream of creating a business that lasts for centuries? Quite a tall order! And while creating something lasting is a worthy goal, it’s helpful to consider how brief life really is. David says, “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth.”

As we consider what’s important to our bottom line, we have to reframe our perspectives. Don’t let the trappings of a brief life distract you from things of eternal value.

Bible reading from Psalm.

Day 4: Slowing Down in Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley is known for building things quickly and “failing fast.” When we’re focused only on the financial bottom line, there’s no room for rest. But we know how quickly we can burn out when we don’t allow ourselves time to rest. 

Today’s piece of the Bible reading plan dives into the book of James. Perhaps an attitude of listening and appreciation can help us find balance in our busy entrepreneur lives.

Bible reading from James.

The Lone Entrepreneur

Many business owners would say that community is important, but few make it a priority. At Faith Driven Entrepreneur, we encourage all entrepreneurs to move past anxiety and baggage related to deepening relationships with other professionals and mentors. The devotionals inside were written by a handful of business owners who believe community matters. We hope the reading plan encourages you to find your community or sign up for a Foundation Group.

Day 1: Community Gives Perspective on God’s Promises

At the age of 21, Jena Nardella co-founded Blood:Water alongside the band, Jars of Clay. Under her leadership, the organization raised more than $20 million to provide grants to grassroots organizations addressing HIV/AIDS and water in sub-Saharan Africa. Now that she’s out of the organization, she looks back on all she’s done – and wishes she had done.

But reflecting on Hebrews gives her perspective on the grand lineage of faithful followers of God. Not everyone received their reward in this lifetime. Instead, we can be encouraged that we are not alone and that we actually exist within a communal faith that spans time and place and generation.

Bible reading from Hebrews.

Day 2: Being in Community Means Caring for Community

As a church, we’re called to love others as God has loved us. We need to extend God’s hospitality and that same grace to the immigrant, to the sojourner, to the refugee, to the foreigner who is among us, not just for our economic good, even though that’s substantially going to be the case, but certainly for the holistic view of the gospel. 

Bible reading from Exodus.

Day 3: We Need People to Share Our Lives With

Entrepreneurs don’t always have people to share their highs and lows with. Sometimes a successful executive will share how successful their business was last year, but their friends will only hear them bragging about the number of zeros in their bank account even if this wasn’t the intention at all.

Being in community means putting aside ego as both speaker and listener. Be happy for others’ successes. Be humble always. But at the end of the day, we need to pursue community despite its difficulty. In fact, Jesus says we need “one another” almost 60 times in the Gospels. 

Bible reading from Romans.

Day 4: Lead Your Community With A Solid Mission

A community doesn’t mean a random collection of individuals who happen to work in the same building. True community means a group of people aligned around a common vision. Jeff and Ally own and manage over 3,500 Camp Gladiator locations with 1,000 trainers and over 100,000 customers. This year, they decided to make “Shine Bright” their company’s yearly theme. They wanted to encourage their employees to be positive influences in a dark world. 

Consider how God may be asking you to lead in your community.

Bible reading from Matthew.

Advice for Entrepreneur Parents

How to be a good parent and a good business owner? This is one of the most common questions we get at Faith Driven Entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs work strange, long hours, and this can get in the way of bedtime and soccer practices.  

In this Bible Reading Plan about being both a parent and entrepreneur, we dive into emotional pitfalls like guilt and shame. We also encourage you with God’s Word. It’s not easy balancing both roles and there’s no one prescriptive answer, but it’s helpful to hear how others have gone down this road before us.

Day 1: Your Relationships Are Only As Healthy As You Are

Les Parrott III, Ph.D., is the founder of RealRelationships.com and a Professor of Psychology at Seattle Pacific University. He is also co-creator, with his wife Leslie, of eHarmony Marriage. He wrote this contribution to the Bible reading plan to remind us that our spiritual health will affect all of our relationships. 

At the end of the day, this internal health stems from God’s love. If you were the only person on the planet to love, God would love you. And this helps us lower our defenses, take steps of faith, and love others in return. 

Bible reading from Ephesians.

Day 2: Intentional Parenting

Do you set aside time in your family’s daily life to acknowledge and worship God? Devotionals can be a powerful relationship builder within the family. 

As entrepreneurs, we get up early and go to bed late. It’s easy to let spiritual practices fall by the wayside, especially when not everyone in the family always feels like doing them. But we’re confident that if you stick with it, you’ll see the fruit over the long haul.

Bible reading from Proverbs.

Day 3: A Family Benediction

In Latin, a benediction simply means a good word. A short blessing that we say over others. Liz Bohannon, speaker, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Sseko Designs, recalls what it was like explaining God and life’s big questions to her three-year-old son. It’s been a process where she’s stripped down the truth to get to the core essence of what her family believes.

In short, she and her husband have been teaching their son that he is a child of God. and no one can take that away.

Consider how you can establish foundational truths in your family with regular benedictions.

Bible reading from Isaiah.