The evolution you talk about simply is not the evolution that is taught. You suppose God-directed change, but what is defined as evolution by the academics is an undirected change based on naturalistic changes, with no need for God.
Furthermore, they will tell you that abiogenesis (life from non-life) is not part of the theory of evolution, but that it must have happened, because we are here. In fact, they will go to the notion that life was seeded here from another planet, but that is just an infinite regression waiting to happen.
The advantage God gives people of faith is a significant one, it encourages being teachable and humble. The people who become so invested in individual theories as articles of faith are at a disadvantage and are bound for crisis for putting their faith in false idols, to put it bluntly. The more you learn and explore, the more you will have need to avoid attaching yourself too firmly to non-permanent things.
It should come as no surprise that non-believers are going to be hobbled by their sin nature.