Walking Against the Wind: Following Jesus in the Workplace
Walking with God often means walking against the current.
In our workplaces, this can feel especially true. The prevailing norms, cultural assumptions, ideologies, and systems around us do not always reflect the values of Christ. Integrity may be inconvenient. Compassion may be misunderstood. Excellence may be compromised by expediency. Faith may be seen as private rather than transformational.
And yet, we are sent.
When Jesus told His disciples to get into the boat and go to the other side, He was sending them somewhere intentional. Likewise, as believers in the workplace, we are not present by accident. We are sent into our organisations to move environments from death to life, from darkness to light, from chaos to order, from mediocrity to excellence.
But as the disciples discovered, obedience does not exempt us from resistance.
Expect the Wind
As we pursue our God-given assignments in the workplace, we should not be surprised when the wind blows against us.
Pushback may come.
Misunderstanding may arise.
There may be subtle marginalisation, scepticism, or even open opposition.
The storm is not a sign we are out of God’s will. It may be confirmation that we are exactly where He has sent us.
In those moments, Scripture encourages us not to throw away our confidence. Our confidence is not in our influence, our eloquence, or our position. It is in the One who sent us, who has promised never to leave us.
Recognising Jesus in the Storm
In the midst of the storm, the disciples saw something approaching them on the water, and fear distorted their perception. They thought Jesus was a ghost.
Fear does that. It distorts vision.
When pressure rises at work, when gossip circulates, when management decisions feel unfair, when culture shifts in uncomfortable directions, fear can cause us to misinterpret what God is doing.
Yet often, it is precisely in the storm that Jesus is drawing near. The challenge is to recognise Him.
Resistance Builds Stature
Another truth hidden in the wind is that resistance develops strength. In the gym, muscles grow through resistance training. Strength is built by pushing against weight. In the same way, spiritual maturity and character are formed in opposition.
The winds of workplace life build:
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Strength of character
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Strength of conviction
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Strength of humility
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Strength of confidence in God
Jesus taught that both the wise and foolish builders faced wind and rain. The difference was not the presence of the storm, it affected both. It was how they built even before the storm that separated them.
In the workplace, it is not if resistance comes, but when.
The conversations, the criticism, the corporate pressures, all test what we are building. They reveal whether our workplace witness is rooted in Christ or shaped by convenience.
Walking on the Water
When Peter stepped out of the boat, the wind did not stop. The storm remained. But for a moment, he rose above what once threatened him.
The wind became the backdrop for the miraculous. And this is the invitation for us today.
The pressures of corporate culture are not just obstacles, but opportunities to partner with God in demonstrating something different. When our gaze remains fixed on Jesus, we can walk on what once intimidated us.
If we focus solely on the storm, we risk sinking into the mould of the world.
If we keep our eyes on Christ, we rise above it.
The Wind Has Always Served God’s Purposes
Throughout Scripture, wind is never wasted.
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An east wind divided the Red Sea and revealed the power of Israel’s God.
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A storm on the sea gave Jesus the opportunity to demonstrate His authority over nature.
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A violent wind exposed Jonah’s disobedience but also led to testimony among pagan sailors.
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Shipwrecked by wind, Paul arrived in Malta, where revival followed.
The wind, when surrendered to God, becomes an instrument for His glory.
Sent to the Other Side
As ambassadors of Christ in our workplaces, we are called to go “to the other side” even when the waters are rough.
We are called to bring integrity where compromise is normal.
To bring compassion where competition dominates.
To bring excellence where mediocrity is tolerated.
To bring light into systems that may not yet recognise their need for it.
The winds blowing through our workplaces today are not accidental. They are opportunities.
Opportunities to trust.
Opportunities to grow.
Opportunities to reveal Christ.
So let us not retreat from the storm.
Let us step forward in confidence, not because the wind is calm, but because the One who sent us is present.
And as we walk faithfully, may our corporate boats become places where Jesus is recognised, welcomed, and glorified.
This article was written by David-Isaac Arinze, Transform Work Ambassador and Transform Prayer Lead
If you have a testimony of being in the wind and crossing to the other side please email office@transformwork.net . If you are in the wind and would like support please do join Transform Prayer online calls every weekday.
Transform Work Prayer meetings are every week day
Monday, 5:30pm-6pm. led by David-Isaac Arinze
Tuesday, 5:30pm-6pm. led by Andrew Humphreys
Wednesday, 5:30pm-6pm. led by David-Isaac Arinze
Thursday, 7:30am-8am. led by Steve Matthews
Friday, 5:30pm-6pm. led by David-Isaac Arinze
| As believers seeking to live out our faith in the workplace, our shared commitments should be clear and intentional |
| From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is filled with miracles, moments when God's power visibly changed lives and transformed impossible situations. |
| We’re calling every Believer in the workplace to band together under this biblical principle:
choose three colleagues, commit to consistent, sacrificial prayer, and watch God’s transforming power
at work in their lives. |
| Transform Work have partnered with our Associate Anne de Leyser from Local Houses of Prayer (LHOP) to bring you a framework she developed for speaking blessings over your workplace or sphere of influence. |
| Workplace leaders have pre-recorded prayers for their specific sectors. Why not watch and pray along with them? Please do share these with your church and prayer networks. |
| Listen to these workplace testimonies and be encouraged. If you have a testimony please email us your video or story so we can share with others. |
| Below are 28 prayer points that you might like to use. Feel free to pick the ones relevant to your organisation... |
| When praying in the group, it is especially important that the different Christian traditions represented by group members are respected and reflected in how you pray. |
| Generally prayer walks can be used when you are praying for the organisation, for the work that goes on there, and for its employees. I |
| Set up a facility for anyone within the organisation/workplace to request prayer for any issues they would like. |
| Frequently an organisation has Christian groups that meet in buildings in different locations, often some distance from one another. Conference calls are a great way to keep connected across the organisation. |
| The amazing story of how an office prayer network grew rapidly and saw astounding answers to prayer |
| A simple and attractive way of offering to pray for staff, used within Network Rail - a bright red postbox. Prayer requests are prayed over at the CWG's weekly meeting |
| A week of prayer is a specific week set aside for prayer where a range of different prayer activities are held. Although this probably works best among the larger groups, the idea can be applied within a group whatever the size. |
| Remember that it is important to keep your managers and HR involved in what you are doing. In most cases your prayer activities and the means by which you advertise them will require permission from senior managers and HR. |
David-Isaac Arinze, 02/03/2026