Trusting God in Business and Life
If there’s one thing most of us don’t like, it’s feeling out of control. We like to have a plan, to strategize, and to make things happen. Whether it’s in business, ministry, or just life in general, we’ve been conditioned to believe that success comes from our ability to think fast, act decisively, and control outcomes.
And in the business world, that makes sense. Companies rise and fall based on how well they adapt to market trends, leverage opportunities, and stay ahead of the competition. Entrepreneurs are taught to grind, to hustle, and to take control of their future. But what happens when we bring this mindset into our relationship with God?
More often than not, we find that our modus operandi—our default way of doing things—is completely opposite to how the Holy Spirit works. Where we want to control, He calls us to surrender. Where we want to push forward, He tells us to wait. Where we want to manipulate circumstances, He reminds us that He moves like the wind—unpredictable, untamed, and outside of our control. Jesus said in John 3:8, “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
That’s uncomfortable, isn’t it? The idea that we can’t box God in, that we can’t force His hand, that His ways don’t always align with our carefully crafted plans? But the truth is, if we’re truly following Christ, our lives—including our businesses—should reflect a Spirit-led dependency rather than a self-driven ambition.
Psalm 37: A Blueprint for Trusting God
Psalm 37 gives us a powerful contrast between our natural inclination and God’s invitation to trust Him. Let’s break it down:
Verse 3: “Trust in the Lord and do good.”
Our natural tendency? To rely on our own cleverness, to manipulate situations in our favor, to do whatever it takes to secure success. But real trust means letting go of control and doing what’s right, even when it’s inconvenient.
Verse 4: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
We, on the other hand, tend to fret over circumstances. We get anxious about what we don’t have, about what might go wrong. But God calls us to delight in Him—to find joy, peace, and fulfillment in His presence rather than in the fleeting success of worldly achievements.
Verse 5: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.”
Our first instinct? Engineer the next step. We want a five-year plan, a backup strategy, an exit route. But faith means committing our path to God, believing that He will act in His perfect timing.
Verse 7: “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”
But what do we do instead? We grind our teeth over what might happen. We stay up at night, worrying about what’s next. Yet God invites us into rest—into a peace that surpasses understanding, even when things don’t go according to plan.
Verse 34: “Wait for the Lord and keep His way.”
Our natural response? Rush ahead. Close the deal. Make it happen. But how often do we move ahead of God’s timing because we’re afraid to wait? When we trust Him, we learn that His ways are always better, even when patience is required.
Surrendering Control in Business and Life
So here’s the real question: If we truly depend on God rather than ourselves, wouldn’t we apply the same principles of waiting, resting, and trusting in our business decisions as we do in our spiritual lives? Shouldn’t the way we run our companies, lead our teams, and make decisions look different from the cutthroat, success-at-all-costs mentality of the world?
In reality, there shouldn’t be a difference between how we do business and how we do ministry, because in God’s eyes, everything we do is ministry. Our careers, our leadership, our financial decisions—they are all opportunities to demonstrate faith in action. The Holy Spirit is not just concerned with our church attendance and quiet time; He wants to shape our work ethic, our decision-making, and our willingness to surrender outcomes to Him.
Does that mean we stop planning or being strategic? Of course not. Proverbs 16:9 tells us, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Planning is good, but the key is this: do we hold our plans with open hands, allowing God to redirect them as He sees fit?
Faith vs. Self-Reliance: Which One Are You Living By?
Let’s be honest—most of us struggle with this. We’re wired to want results. We measure success by numbers, influence, and visible outcomes. But God measures success by obedience.
Take a moment and reflect:
Are you making decisions based on fear of missing out, or are you waiting for God’s leading?
Are you trying to force doors open, or are you trusting that God will open the right ones?
Are you working for approval and recognition, or are you working from a place of rest in Christ?
The way we answer these questions reveals who or what we are really trusting in. When we find ourselves striving, hustling, and stressing, it’s often because we’re placing faith in our own ability instead of in God’s faithfulness.
Quotes from Respected Commentaries
John Piper writes, “God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, and you may be aware of three of them.” This reminds us that even when we don’t see the full picture, God is working in ways we can’t comprehend.
Oswald Chambers says, “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” This captures the essence of trusting God in both business and life. Our security isn’t in our plans—it’s in the character of the One leading us.
Key Insight Statements
“Faith isn’t about controlling outcomes—it’s about trusting the One who already knows the outcome.”
“Waiting on God isn’t inactivity; it’s a deep trust that He is working even when we can’t see it.”
“Success in God’s eyes isn’t about how much we accomplish—it’s about how well we obey.”
“When we surrender control, we make space for the Holy Spirit to move in ways we never expected.”
Related Article: Trusting God in Your Business Decisions
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