Struggle is often seen as something to escape—but in reality, it’s the training ground for everything God is preparing you to carry.
Last week, during a much-needed personal retreat, I spent time reflecting through the pages of my old journals. What I found shook me—not because I had forgotten the challenges, but because I hadn’t realized just how far I had come.
Key Takeaways
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Struggles are stepping stones, not stopping points.
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Document your journey. It reminds you of God’s faithfulness and your growth.
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Don’t quit before your breakthrough. Many give up when they’re inches from a miracle.
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Your pain has purpose. Use your trials as fuel for future impact.
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Growth requires discomfort. Lean into it and allow it to refine you.
📖 Looking Back: A Glimpse Into My Journals
Let me take you back to December 2, 2013. My wife had received a $20 gift card to a clothing store. When the store refused to honor it on discounted items, we realized we didn’t even have the cash to cover a $20 purchase.
Then just a few weeks later on January 6, 2014, I wrote these words:
“Our cashflow is very bound up at the moment. I have even been unable to clear a $4.95 per month subscription.”
That’s right—less than $5. And we couldn’t make it happen.
💡 The Hidden Blessing in Hard Times
We all start somewhere. That was my somewhere.
Looking back, those journal entries remind me of how easy it is to underestimate the value of hard seasons. In that valley, I didn’t feel blessed. I felt broken, defeated, and overwhelmed. But the truth is, those moments were essential to my breakthrough.
What you don’t see in those entries is that during that same time, I began investing in personal growth. I attended workshops, hired mentors, and made uncomfortable decisions to learn new ways of thinking and leading. And by the fall of 2014, I was purchasing my first investment properties. That’s less than a year between broke and breakthrough.
🧭 From Pain to Purpose: How Struggles Refine You
Struggles aren’t just obstacles—they are assignments.
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They expose what you truly believe.
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They reveal where you need to grow.
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They test your resilience and shape your faith.
As Scripture reminds us:
“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” – James 1:2–3
Too many entrepreneurs quit just before the breakthrough. Don’t let that be your story.
📝 Why Journaling Matters on the Journey
One of the most powerful habits I’ve developed—though not always perfectly—is journaling. Whether you write daily or just when prompted, journaling gives you a trail of evidence that God has been working, even when you couldn’t see it.
I use an app called Penzu (free and syncs across devices), but a simple notebook works just as well. Capture the highs and lows—because one day, your past pain will become someone else’s roadmap.
🙋♂️ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why is struggle important in an entrepreneur’s journey?
Struggle builds mental, emotional, and spiritual resilience. It forces innovation, reveals priorities, and ultimately prepares you to steward greater responsibilities.
Q2: How do I stay motivated during tough times?
Reflect on past victories, stay connected to your “why,” lean into Scripture, surround yourself with encouragers, and document your process through journaling.
Q3: Is it really possible to go from financial struggle to success?
Absolutely. With the right mindset, strategic mentorship, and daily discipline, transformation is not only possible—it’s probable for those who don’t quit.
Q4: What’s a good journaling app or tool?
I recommend Penzu—it’s free, private, and syncs across devices. But don’t get hung up on the tool. The key is consistency, not perfection.
📚 Recommended Reading
🎯 Final Word
If you’re in a season where even $20 feels out of reach, I want you to hear this: God is not done. He’s just getting started. Appreciate the struggle—not because it’s comfortable, but because it’s crafting something eternal.
You’re not alone. You’re not broken. You’re becoming.
Need help on the journey? Join our private community of faith-driven entrepreneurs at Biblical Growth Strategies and grow alongside others who’ve been where you are.
