When challenges arise, it’s easy to doubt that success is even possible on the other side. The wall seems too high, the bricks too big, and you might feel too small and weak to scale it or break through. A constant wave of setbacks can leave you questioning if victory is even achievable.

There was a time when I was beginning to wonder if some of MY dreams were like that proverbial carrot, just out of reach no matter how much I chased it. Some felt like they were already years overdue. I kept pushing forward, but honestly, I was starting to doubt. I don't think I'd ever been stretched so far...

But in the end, God allowed those dreams to materialize. When it happened, I felt sober and grateful, and I didn’t take it for granted.

If you're wondering if victory is even possible for you, know this: success is already there, waiting for you to reach it. There is no "IF"—there’s only "WHEN." I know this now more deeply than ever before. I’m a better person for having had my perseverance so deeply tested.

I’ve learned that challenges are part of the process, the necessary ingredients in the recipe for success. But, in the thick of it, I had my doubts. Would the struggles really give way to victory? I’m grateful that, time and time again, I’ve been reminded that they always do.

Each time I've set a big goal, I’ve had to face numerous challenges—whether it’s one, two, or a hundred obstacles that needed to be overcome before I could claim the victory I sought. But now, I can say with certainty that our dreams are ours because they are possible, and they are waiting for us on the other side of persistence.

By the grace of God, victory comes. But God doesn’t give it to us if WE stop preparing for it.

The process of goal-setting often stretches me to my limits—and beyond. Yes, every single time. The more I go through this, though, the better I get at enduring it. Every success story I share has an untold struggle behind it. No matter how many times I succeed, the process always seems to repeat itself in some way.

Understanding the process doesn’t make it easier, but it does make it bearable. It helps me keep doing my part, and it brings me peace to recognize that the struggles, uncertainty, and chaos are simply part of the opportunity to prove myself. It’s where I can flex my faith, demonstrate my drive to press on—even if it feels like I’m crawling to the finish line—and hold onto the belief that victory is waiting on the other side. Knowing how the Law works, I start to view the struggle differently, and as a result, I can be more grateful for it, bringing me closer to receiving what’s next.

The Miracle's Promise

My son has been working his way through college, paying as he goes. Each semester brought its own challenges, but each time, he discovered new, unexpected solutions that helped him through. Then, two weeks before the end of his most recent semester, he called me and said, "I’m done. I can't do this anymore. I’m just DONE."

I gave him a pep talk, urging him to find the strength to push through for two more weeks, to finish strong, and to imagine the relief and satisfaction of looking back on it. He had already given up on the hope of getting straight A’s—his ticket to tuition waivers for future semesters—and was resigned to getting B’s in half of his classes. But even so, he was too drained to keep going.

We brainstormed a few ideas to help him get out of the funk. I reminded him to speak strength. Instead of affirming that he couldn’t continue, I wouldn’t hang up until I heard him say, “I can do this.” And, together, I wanted to hear him say, “I DID IT.”

I also encouraged him to talk to one of his professors about a missed mandatory attendance day. He had missed class to drive 4 hours to pick up his sister at the SLC airport, taking her to the MTC—the last time he would see her for 18 months. Maybe the professor would show mercy and adjust his score.

As he spoke words of strength, he found his own strength. We finished our call, and he got back to his studies.

Two weeks later, he called to say, "Well, it’s all done. Every single class is behind me, and I’m on my way home (a 16-hour drive)." He told me how he felt about his finals. Although he knew his performance wasn’t perfect, he was at peace, knowing he’d done his best. He had done better than he expected in some classes, but his final projects were still pending grades.

Then, twenty MINUTES later, he walked through my door! That kid totally punked me! He and his brother had finished the day before and drove all night to surprise me. I was so thankful I didn’t know they were on the wintery roads; it saved me 16 hours of worry. :)

Not long after, he logged into the system to check his grades. Somehow, he had ended up with straight A’s after all. He stared at the screen for a moment, his face showing a faint grin—his only reaction, exhausted from the past four months.

Later, he reflected to me, "Mom, I don’t think miracles have ever made my life easier; they just made things possible."

I’ve thought about that many times since, and it’s true. Maybe you didn’t know this is how the Law works.

Your part is to set the goal, envision the victory ahead of time, take action when opportunities arise (even if they’re scary), and finally, don’t neglect the most important ingredient: Perseverance.

Because your greatest victories always follow the hardest struggles.

"So, what’s the point of all these laws if I still have to endure challenges?"

They guarantee that you’ll have everything you need to reach your goal, and it’ll show up at the perfect time—sometimes only after things seem hopeless, and after you’ve chosen to be at peace, anyway. It promises that if you can conceive it, you can achieve it.

Isn’t it amazing to think about? Isn’t it better than having no guarantee at all?

Now, think about that goal you want to achieve, and know this:

It’s possible. That’s a miracle. So keep going until you achieve it. 

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