Why Who You Marry Is a Career Decision

“Can two walk together unless they agree?” - Amos 3:3

When people talk about career decisions, they often think of universities, employers, and promotions. Rarely do they consider that one of the most consequential career decisions they’ll ever make is who they marry.

Your spouse will either multiply your potential or drain your progress. They can help you soar or silently clip your wings. That’s why, before saying “I do,” it’s essential to pause and ask: Can this person walk with me where God is taking me?

Who you marry determines far more than your romantic happiness. It shapes whether your purpose flourishes or withers.

If your career involves frequent travel, long hours, or relocation, will your future spouse be supportive or resentful? If you dream of starting a business, studying further, or working in another country, does the person you’re dating understand and respect that calling? These are not after-marriage issues; they are before-marriage conversations.

Many people are lamenting in marriage today not because marriage is bad, but because they were unwise in dating. They ignored the need for alignment, thinking love alone would sustain the journey. It doesn’t. Love must be grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and purpose alignment.

Your purpose should not compete with your partner’s. It should complement it. When two people walk in agreement, they multiply each other’s impact. But when their visions clash, both lose peace and progress.

At The Couple Binders, where Ronald and I offer one-on-one guidance and couple sessions, we have met many couples struggling to balance career and family life. Some women are heartbroken because their husbands have asked them to abandon their professions to focus on home. Others are frustrated because their ambitions are misunderstood.

In a related blog (https://www.thecouplebinders.com/women-shouldnt-have-to-choose-between-career-and-family), I shared that women should not have to choose between career and family . Both can thrive when there is understanding, planning, and support. But it begins long before marriage - with choosing a partner who values and supports your dreams.

If you’re not yet married, this is the time to talk about what your future might look like together:

• How do you each view work and success?

• What are your long-term aspirations?

• How will you support each other’s growth?

• What happens if one of you has to travel or relocate?

These are not “unromantic” topics. They are expressions of maturity. They show that you value your destiny and want to build a partnership that lasts.

As The Couple Binders, Ronald and I are passionate about helping others prepare wisely and live intentionally. We speak to singles, couples, and professionals on topics such as “Purpose and Partnership” and “Thriving in Marriage Without Losing Yourself.”

We also offer personal guidance sessions, premarital coaching, and marriage enrichment programmes that help individuals and couples align purpose, values, and vision before or within marriage.

We have lived this message, and we continue to learn every day. Marriage can be a powerful foundation for your purpose if you choose wisely and walk in agreement.

So, before you say “I do,” ask yourself:

“Can this person walk with me where God is taking me?”

Because truly who you marry is a career decision.