If you're going after something big... big goals, big dreams, something new for you . whether that's your health, your relationship, your business, your wealth, whatever. . The expectation that it's somehow going to be easy? That it won't be full of challenges and hardship? . That's naive. . And when the challenges show up, because they will, . the mindset that wants to run away from them? . That's the enemy. That's passivity. That's avoidance. That's smallness. . Because the challenges and frustrations and hardships? That's the invitation. That's the invitation into becoming the version of yourself that's required. . And the small challenge in front of you right now? . You don't even know. But this is the dojo. This is what's required of you because you're going after great things. . This particular frustration or challenge is going to develop you. . It will be used. It'll be God's challenge to us. And it's my belief that God Challenges us because he loves us. . God inspires us with big dreams and desires, and then challenges us along the path so we might become closer with Him. . So we realize our own efforts, our limited selves, our small selves disconnected from God, will never be able to achieve our potential. . Some of the most challenging things in my life have become the things I'm most grateful for. . In the moment, I couldn't see it. But looking back? I wouldn't trade them for the world. - An overwhelming, insurmountable amount of debt. I'm so grateful for that. - Going back to school to get my CFP and rewriting the idea that I'm a bad student. So grateful for that. - Having kids. Jeez. The sleepless nights. The uncertainty. The learning curve. Hard. And so grateful. - Making the choice for our family to go on one income without it being enough—before we had enough. So grateful. Hard. Really hard. - Marriage. The disagreements. The conflict. Hard. And so so grateful. . And inside all of the challenges for me? The way out has been prayer and faith.