Before the immense relief and joy of coming out of the waters of baptism, the three scariest words I ever pronounced were “Jesus is Lord.” I was convinced it was true. I was serious about my commitment. But I also knew this would change everything, not just my “religious life.”
I was submitting my work life – something I had built my success on – to the guidance and authority of Christ. As a high-achiever, my work had been my number one priority in life. From that moment on, it would have to be fully submitted to God’s will, not mine. Little did I know that this was not a limiting factor, but a great amplifier.
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3
For years, I had relied on talent, discipline, and opportunity, but something was missing: character. Without it, even success felt hollow. I spiraled into clinical depression. Until then, I had nothing but disdain for religion. But through my personal crisis, I encountered Christianity in a way I couldn’t ignore. The worldview, spiritual growth, and godly mentors didn’t just help me recover, they transformed my entire approach to life, work, and success.
Faith didn’t shrink my ambition; it refined it.
The silent struggle: when work feels disconnected from faith
For many believers, faith is deeply meaningful, but work feels completely separate. You go to church. You pray. You believe. But when Monday morning comes, faith doesn’t seem to fit in the fast-paced, high-pressure world of business, leadership, or career growth.
Maybe work feels like just a means to an end – something you have to do, not something connected to your higher purpose. Or maybe you’re stuck in a cycle where success and faith seem to pull in opposite directions, and you’re longing for something more.
Here’s the hard truth: if your faith and work are disconnected, you’re missing out on one of the greatest sources of strength, direction, and impact God intended for you.
But it doesn’t have to stay that way. When faith truly fuels your work, something changes:
- Work stops feeling like a grind and starts feeling like a calling.
- You stop chasing success for its own sake and find true fulfillment.
- Your job transforms into a kingdom platform, not just a career.
If you’ve ever felt this disconnect, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to stay there.
Faith, science, and success
Arthur C. Brooks, a Harvard professor and social scientist, has extensively studied the link between faith, happiness, and success. His research shows that people with an active faith tend to be more resilient, experience greater life satisfaction, and even perform better in their careers. Why?
- Faith provides resilience – A strong belief system helps people navigate setbacks with purpose and perspective.
- Community matters – Religious involvement fosters deep connections, reducing loneliness and increasing well-being.
- Faith fuels fulfillment – It shifts focus from self-centered ambition to a higher calling, leading to greater satisfaction.
Brooks calls this the cure for the “striver’s curse” – success that still feels empty. Faith, it turns out, isn’t just about belief. It’s about flourishing.
Faith, work, and the foundations of prosperity
The connection between faith and success isn’t just personal; it has shaped entire civilizations.
Historians call it the Protestant work ethic, a driving force behind history’s greatest economic expansions. Rooted in the Reformation, this ethic emphasized diligence, purpose, and integrity—shaping Western economies and fueling innovation, entrepreneurship, and free markets.
Sociologist Max Weber argued that this faith-driven mindset laid the foundation for modern wealth creation. Seeing work as a calling, not just a paycheck, built cultures of trust, discipline, and perseverance.
When faith informs our work, we move from chasing success to aligning with God’s greater mission.
The final shift: my faith transformed my success
Early on, I thought success was just about talent and hustle. But without faith, even success felt hollow. Embracing faith didn’t just restore my purpose, it became the key to sustaining and elevating success for the rest of my life. Work was no longer just about achievement; it became about impact, service, and calling. And that changed everything.
The world will always change. The only real question is: will you anchor your work in something that lasts?
Faith and work – reconnected
Join me for a free webinar for subscribers of Disciples Today: “Faith & Work: Escape the Grind and Align Success With Purpose.” Register here: https://www.xponential.life/event-details/faith
We’ll break down:
- How faith fuels resilience in your career
- Why purpose-driven work leads to greater success
- How to turn your job into a calling, not just a paycheck
If you feel like your work lacks deeper meaning, this session will give you real strategies to reconnect faith and work.
Christian Ray Flores is a coach, evangelist and author. His coaching program Xponential Life helps professionals create a life of high performance driven by high purpose. Subscribe to his weekly newsletter at www.christianrayflores.com
