Sitting in that coffee shop, lost in my thoughts, I found myself circling one key question: Am I really where I want to be?

The more I thought about it, the clearer it became—life isn’t perfect, and the truth is, it never will be. We create plans, dream big, and envision the future we think we should have. But deep down, we know that reality rarely aligns with those dreams. Still, for some reason, I resisted fully acknowledging this truth. I kept it tucked away at the back of my mind, focusing instead on pushing forward.

We all do this. We live, we learn, we take action. And yet, despite our best efforts, we hit roadblocks. Those moments when life doesn’t seem to cooperate—when it feels like nothing is moving—can leave us frustrated, questioning if we’re on the right path. But here’s the thing: those very obstacles are more than just inconveniences. They’re signposts. They are the hints and clues pointing us toward growth.

But most of us don’t see it that way when we’re in the thick of a tough situation. We ask why—why me? Why now? Some of us even question God, wondering where He is in all of this. Is He paying attention? Why isn’t He stepping in to help?

Here’s what I’ve come to realize: those moments where it feels like He’s farthest away are actually the times when He’s closest. He’s allowing the challenge, not to break us down, but to build us up. Think about it—how does a good father teach his children? He gives them the problems they need to solve, because solving those problems is how they grow. It’s no different with God. He doesn’t spare us from the struggle; He gives it to us because He knows it’s what we need to become stronger.

When we’re stuck, it’s often because we’re working with the wrong information. And while that’s nobody’s fault, it is our responsibility to figure out what needs to change. We have to dig deep, uncover the lesson, and shift our perspective. It’s not easy, but this truth is also liberating—it puts the power back in our hands.

I’ve been in the entrepreneurial game for eight years now, and if I’ve learned anything, it’s that the most significant challenge I face is myself. I’ve had incredible people supporting me, mentors who’ve given more than I could ever repay. But at the end of the day, it’s the setbacks that have taught me the most. Every setback forces me to learn something I didn’t even know I needed to learn.

There are days when it all feels overwhelming. No productivity hack can cut through the fog of burnout. But I’ve learned that burnout isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a signal. It’s time to step back, reflect, and realign. It’s time to pause and listen.

And the more I lean into this process, the more I realize that God is using every difficult moment to shape me. It doesn’t always make sense at first, and it almost never feels comfortable, but the end result is growth. Much like a good father knows his child needs challenges to grow, God knows we need our struggles to transform us into who we’re meant to be.

The journey is exhausting at times. It’s confusing and painful, but it’s always worth it. Because ultimately, the most important lesson in all of this is our relationship with God. He doesn’t just watch from a distance as we navigate life’s difficulties—He uses them as tools to bring us closer to Him, to shape us, and to show us His unwavering love. And that’s a lesson worth learning.