The Real Reason Success Feels Empty—And How Faith Can Fix It
I grew up in an atheist society and an atheist family. My first professional success came in my early 20s. After earning a graduate degree in Economics, I took a path most people considered irrational—I went into music instead of finance. Against the odds, it paid off. I was entertaining millions, living a dream career. My work was in demand, and I was fortunate enough to be doing what I loved.
But here’s what I didn’t see coming.
It became painfully clear that skill alone is far from enough—not just to achieve success, but to sustain it. I had talent, discipline, and opportunity, but I lacked something far more critical: character. And without it, success felt hollow. I spiraled into clinical depression.
That’s when everything changed.
This was the moment I found faith—or rather, faith found me. Until then, I had nothing but disdain for religion. But through my personal crisis, I encountered the Christian faith in a way I couldn’t ignore. The worldview, the process of spiritual growth, the community, and the mentors who poured into me didn’t just improve my mental health—they changed the very trajectory of my life. I became a better artist, a better entrepreneur, a better leader, and a better human.
And here’s what’s fascinating—what I experienced on a personal level is actually backed by research. People with an active faith and a strong faith community tend to be healthier, wealthier, and live longer. Faith isn’t just a personal belief; it’s a competitive advantage in both life and work.
At the end of this post, check out my interview with Dean Sweetman, founder of Tithely, on faith, work, and lasting impact.
Science backs what I experienced firsthand. 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 healthier, wealthier, and live longer. Why?
🔹 Faith provides a framework for 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.
🔹 Self-transcendence fuels fulfillment – Faith shifts focus from self-centered ambition to higher meaning, leading to greater life 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 truly flourishing.
At a macro level, the connection between faith and success is most evident in what historians call the Protestant Work Ethic—a driving force behind the most significant economic expansion in history. Rooted in the Reformation, this ethic emphasized discipline, hard work, and a sense of purpose beyond personal gain. It shaped Western economies, fueling innovation, entrepreneurship, and the rise of free markets.
Sociologist Max Weber argued that this faith-driven mindset fueled modern wealth creation. Viewing work as a calling, not just a paycheck, built a culture of diligence and integrity.
Does your work feel like just a job, or is it connected to something bigger? Vote below and let’s explore how faith transforms work into purpose.
Somewhere along the way, work became just a paycheck, a title, a way to keep up. The industrial age turned people into cogs in a machine, and the modern age turned success into a status game. We’re told to chase promotions, bigger houses, and the next upgrade, yet so many of us feel emptier than ever.
Because deep down, we don’t just want to make a living—we want to make a difference. We crave work that matters beyond the bottom line.
The problem isn’t work—it’s how we’ve lost its true purpose. Faith offers something radically different—the idea that work is more than survival or status. It’s calling. It’s contribution. It’s worship.
But to reclaim that, we must rewire how we see work altogether. Let’s talk about how.
If you’re vibing with this post. You’ll love our next webinar coming up on March 5th 12PM CST.
Faith & Work: Escape the Grind and Align Success With Purpose
Discover how to break free from uninspired work and align your career with a deeper mission. We’ll unpack how faith transforms work—and why it changes everything.
How to Reconnect Faith and Work
Most believers know work should feel meaningful—but living it is another story. The real issue is how we've been taught to separate faith from work. Here’s how to bridge the gap:
🔹 Stop chasing, start calling – Success without purpose feels empty. Your work isn’t just a paycheck—it’s part of your greater mission.
🔹 Break free from the “just a job” mindset – Faith isn’t meant to be left at the door when you clock in. It should fuel everything you do.
🔹 Make faith the foundation, not an afterthought – Wisdom, resilience, and impact come from aligning your work with your faith, not separating the two.
🔹 Shift from achievement to alignment – Hustle alone won’t get you there. True success comes from aligning your work with a deeper purpose.
🔹 Surround yourself with the right people – Being around others who integrate faith and work makes all the difference in sustaining this mindset.
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 elevating and sustaining success for the rest of my life. Work wasn’t just about achievement anymore; it became about impact, service, and calling. And that changed everything.
Now, let’s hear how Dean Sweetman built a thriving business by keeping faith at the center.