Finding Peace in the Midst of Work Struggles: Trusting God with Your Career

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

If your alarm clock feels more like a starting bell for a daily battle than a gentle nudge to start the day, you’re not alone. The endless emails, the back-to-back meetings that should have been emails, the office politics, the never-ending projects—sometimes work feels less like a calling and more like a slow, corporate descent into madness.

Maybe you feel stuck. Like you’re pouring your time, energy, and talent into something that isn’t fulfilling, wondering if this is really what God intended for your life. Maybe you catch yourself staring out of your office window (or at your home office wall) asking, “Lord, is this it?” Friend, I hear you. But let’s take a deep breath and lean into Matthew 11:28-30. Because Jesus has something to say about this soul-level exhaustion.

1. The Weight You Weren’t Meant to Carry

Corporate life has a way of making you feel like everything is on your shoulders. Meet the deadline. Please the boss. Get the promotion. Earn the paycheck. Keep up with everyone’s LinkedIn highlight reel. But Jesus never asked us to carry all that weight alone. He offers a trade—our burden for His. And His is lighter because it comes with grace, purpose, and rest.

This doesn’t mean we quit our jobs and move to a monastery (though, on some Mondays, that sounds tempting). It means we stop striving in our own strength and start surrendering our careers to the One who actually controls our future.

2. Your Work Matters (Even When It Feels Like It Doesn’t)

It’s easy to think, “What I do doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.” But Scripture tells us that whatever we do, we should do it for the Lord (Colossians 3:23). Whether you’re analyzing spreadsheets, managing people, or troubleshooting tech problems, your work has value when it’s done with integrity and excellence for God’s glory.

Joseph was a slave and a prisoner before he became second in command over Egypt. Daniel worked in a corrupt government. Paul made tents. Yet, all of them served God right where they were, and He used them in ways they never could have imagined. Your job might not be your dream role, but it can still be a place where God is working in and through you.

3. God’s Plan Isn’t on LinkedIn’s Timeline

Let’s be real: we love control. We love knowing the plan, the next step, the five-year trajectory. But God often works differently. While we’re refreshing job boards and updating our resumes, He’s shaping our character, preparing us for what’s next, and teaching us to trust Him in the waiting.

God doesn’t waste experiences. Even if you feel overlooked or underappreciated, He sees you. He’s not just concerned with where you work—He’s concerned with who you are becoming. Maybe this season isn’t about climbing the corporate ladder but about learning to lean on Him.

4. Trading Stress for Surrender

So how do we actually live out Matthew 11:28-30 in our work life? Here are a few practical ways:

• Start your day with God – Before diving into emails, spend time in prayer. Ask Him for wisdom, peace, and perspective.

• Set boundaries – Work is important, but it’s not everything. Guard your time with family, rest, and worship.

• Shift your mindset – Instead of seeing work as a burden, view it as an opportunity to serve and reflect Christ to those around you.

• Trust God with your career – Whether you’re in a season of frustration or fulfillment, believe that He is leading you exactly where you need to be.

  
  

Final Thought: A Job Title Doesn’t Define You

At the end of the day, your identity isn’t in your job title, salary, or performance reviews—it’s in Christ. He calls you His beloved, His workmanship, His child. And that matters far more than any corner office or career accolade.

So, if you’re feeling weary, take heart. Jesus invites you to lay down the stress and pick up His peace. Because no matter what’s happening at work, your purpose is far greater than a job description—it’s found in the One who called you in the first place.