I Was Ready to Fight. God Told Me to Surrender
The other day, while driving, I heard the Lord speak something so clearly to my spirit: “When you are aligned with your purpose, things don’t happen to you, they happen for you.”
That word hit me deeply, highlighting and revealing a valuable lesson from something I just recently walked through.
At the end of last year and into the beginning of this year, I found myself in a difficult and emotionally draining season at work. I was being treated unfairly by my manager, which quickly revealed itself as spiritual warfare. It was deeper than the person; I was in a spiritual battle that was testing my patience, humility, and obedience.
I wanted to respond in my flesh. I had multiple emails to HR drafted, days I wanted to confront the person myself, and even one evening when I broke down crying in my car after work, overwhelmed by anxiety and confusion. It got to a point where it was difficult getting out of bed to go to work. But instead of reacting, I chose to surrender.
Through prayer, worship, fasting, and reading my bible, I humbled myself before God and immersed myself in His presence. I also leaned on the support of my friends. It wasn’t easy, but I made the intentional decision to let the Lord lead me, and not my emotions. And true to His faithfulness, He fought the battle for me.
Eventually, an unexpected opportunity came through a friend. It wasn’t something I sought out, but God brought it to me. It was in a field I’ve been passionate about, but have no experience in. I had even recently asked God, “How will I ever get my foot in the door in that space?”
Little did I know, He already had a plan in place. He heard me, and He answered.
Now, I’m stepping into a brand new career path! One that is aligned with a long-term goal and personal calling. And the best part? The challenges I faced in my previous role weren’t wasted. God is using that experience to equip me for what’s next.
If everything had gone well at my previous job, I probably wouldn’t have left. I would’ve stayed in my comfort zone. But the pressure pushed me into a deeper level of my purpose. That situation didn’t happen to me, it happened for me.
This is what it looks like to walk in purpose. It’s not without warfare. But when you’re walking with God, relying on Him, and living in obedience, the fire refines you instead of consuming you.
So if you’re in a season that feels unfair or painful, let me encourage you:
Don’t mistake warfare for punishment.
Don’t confuse waiting with being forgotten.
Don’t assume mistreatment means you’re out of alignment.
Sometimes, it’s a sign that God is preparing to shift you into something greater.
Stay surrendered. Ask for God’s wisdom. Fast. Seek His strategy, not your own. Let Him show you how to respond. And trust that the very thing testing you now may be the doorway to your next season.
God is faithful, and I want you to know that you don’t have to be a victim of your circumstances. When you're aligned with God’s purpose for your life, even the hard things serve a greater good. You will come out stronger, wiser, and more equipped for what’s next.
Before you go, take a moment to ask yourself:
Is it possible that the very thing you're praying to escape is the path to your next assignment?
What might God be preparing you for through the pressure you're experiencing right now?
Go deeper: Psalms 18:30; 112:6-8; 118:5-7; 130:5-6; 145:9; Romans 8:28; James 1:2-4
I pray you find the courage to surrender and take God at His word.
