The Benefits of Surrendering Your Career to God
“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.”
-Proverbs 16:9 NLT
As professionals, it can be challenging to fully trust God with our careers. Many of us assume that we must be in complete control of our destiny and have everything figured out by a specific time. We create master plans to minimize the risk of failure, develop contingencies to address any setbacks and convince ourselves that success is entirely on our shoulders.
But here’s the truth: we rarely include God in our planning process or consider His guidance until it’s convenient for us. Other than sending Him up a prayer in the morning before work, we do not include Him in our daily routine. We often believe that God stepped back the minute after we received the job. This mindset leads us to hustle endlessly, fake it until we make it, or carry the pressure we weren’t meant to bear chasing the world’s idea of success. Over time, the weight becomes exhausting — because our career journey was never supposed to be lived this way.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
- Matthew 5:16 NIV
To know our heavenly Father is to know that there was always a plan in place for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11), and this plan is not just conducive to our personal lives, but it extends to our careers as well. God never intended for us to take the wheel while pushing Him into the back seat until we need a promotion or a miracle. He never asked us to manage teams, lead presentations, teach classes, or meet with clients or patients without Him. Even after He blessed us with our roles, Christ remains the vine, and we are the branches. That means our connection to Him must continue during our workday if we want to please Him and bear good fruit. He knew the start of our careers before we did — and He knows exactly how they will evolve.
Keep in mind: your career is not just about you. It’s deeper than gaining status, building wealth, and taking vacations. While those may be blessings that come with hard work, they were never meant to be your driving motivation. God called us to be salt and light of the earth according to Matthew 5:13-16. As His image-bearers, we are meant to enhance every space we enter — not just with our skills, but with the love of Jesus radiating through us. That includes how we interact with clients, coworkers, patients, leadership, and everyone in between. He placed us in our fields to be examples and to reach people for Him. So ask yourself: will Christ be more impressed by your résumé or by how well you represented Him and pointed others to Him in every role you held?
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
-Romans 12:2 NIV
When you surrender your career to God, freedom follows. You’re no longer bound to the world’s definition of success and ways of achieving it. The burden lifts. You’ll stop obsessing over the future because you trust the One who already sees it.
You’ll begin to release your timelines and the tendency to compare yourself to others. You’ll also no longer feel behind. Instead, you’ll be focused on your development and finally being able to enjoy the journey. Roadblocks and workplace challenges will even be perceived differently- not as setbacks, but as opportunities for growth or signs that a new door is opening.
My Testimony: I surrendered my career to Christ in 2020. At the time, my previous employer had recently conducted layoffs, and more changes were on the horizon. I was the last person hired on my team, and I just knew I’d be the first to go if they conducted another round of layoffs. I became anxious and began praying asking God to cover me. I didn’t want my peace to be controlled by a company anymore. I desired freedom from the emotional rollercoaster of wondering if I was secure. So, I gave it to Him. I surrendered.
Time passed, and everything was running smoothly. I was aware that org changes were about to happen again, but I assumed layoffs were over. Then one day, while having a conversation with a coworker, I heard the Holy Spirit tell me to speak to a new director about social media. Small talk is not my strength, and I barely knew him, but I obeyed and briefly had a conversation. A few weeks later, I arrived to work and was informed that half the team was let go. Those of us who remained were led into a conference room where a presentation listed newly created roles — including three new social media positions. I looked at the director (now newly promoted to VP), and he was smiling and nodding at me. Shortly after, I transitioned to the social media team.
I believe this happened solely because I released it, allowing God to step in. I waited for His direction before seeking another role on my own, and I created space for Him to let me know when it was time to leave that company for an opportunity at another company.
Since then, I no longer stress about my future, and my mindset about success has completely changed. I’ve received multiple opportunities, built strong relationships, and most importantly, I try to carry God’s light in every space I enter. Peace follows me because I know that everything work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them according to Romans 8:28.
So, if you’ve been stressing about your career’s future and trying to handle everything on your own, it’s time to stop — and release it to God. Give Him full access. Surrender your plans and trust that His design is greater than your own. From now on, lay everything at His feet: your timelines, expectations, goals, and uncertainties. Seek Him first, instead of taking the wheel on your own terms. Don’t cling to anything. Instead, stay open — and ready to obey when He gives direction.
You’re going to do great, my friend.
