Beyond the Obstacle: Finding Growth in Adversity

Obstacles are a given in life. They come in many forms, and we often find ourselves face-to-face with them when we least expect it. For me, some of the most significant obstacles have been chronic health issues and the emotional turmoil of feeling deceived by the organization I grew up in. Each of these challenges, though painful and overwhelming at times, has shaped me in ways I never could have anticipated. And looking back, I realize that it’s not the obstacles themselves that define me, but how I’ve chosen to navigate through them.

When my chronic health issues first started to take over my life, I felt trapped. For years, I struggled with a range of symptoms—pain, fatigue, and constant uncertainty about what was happening to my body. At first, I didn’t know how to cope, and it felt like the answer was always just out of reach. But after taking control of my health and working with a functional medicine doctor, I learned something powerful: my body is deeply connected to my mind. While the ailments I faced were real, I realized they were not untreatable. With the right approach—one that included proper nutrition, lifestyle changes, and addressing the mental toll stress had on my body—I started to see improvements. I learned how to take care of my body in a compassionate, holistic way, and that the key to healing was not just about managing symptoms, but about addressing the root causes. This journey wasn’t just about fixing my body—it was about learning to honor it, to listen to it, and to treat it with the care it deserved.

Another profound obstacle I’ve faced has been my relationship with the church I grew up in. For years, I found great comfort and community in my faith, but as I began to dig deeper into my own beliefs and question some of the things I had been taught, I felt deceived and disillusioned. It was like the rug had been pulled out from under me, and I had to reevaluate everything I thought I knew. I’ve since come to realize that deconstructing my faith wasn’t the end of the road—it was the beginning of a new chapter. While it was painful to confront the truths I had once trusted, it also allowed me to step into a more authentic version of myself. I no longer felt bound by the expectations of an institution. I began to explore spirituality on my own terms, seeking truth from many different sources rather than relying on a single narrative.

In each of these experiences, I learned that obstacles don’t have to break us—they can shape us in unexpected ways. The key is not to view them as insurmountable barriers, but as opportunities for growth. When we shift our perspective, we start to see that challenges are not just things to “get through,” but moments in which we can expand, evolve, and ultimately become stronger.

The journey through these obstacles hasn’t been easy, but it has taught me some important lessons. I’ve learned the value of patience—both with myself and others. As for my health, I’ve learned that it’s okay not to have all the answers right away, and that being kind to myself through the tough days is one of the greatest acts of self-love. In my spiritual journey, I’ve learned that questioning everything doesn’t mean abandoning belief—it’s about discovering what resonates with me and allowing my spirituality to evolve.

Growth doesn’t happen in a straight line, and obstacles rarely look the way we expect. But it’s through facing them that we uncover parts of ourselves we might never have discovered otherwise. We don’t always have control over the obstacles that come into our lives, but we do have control over how we respond to them. When we stop asking, “Why me?” and start asking, “What can I learn from this?” we move from a place of victimhood to a place of empowerment.

In the end, the obstacles I’ve faced haven’t just been challenges—they’ve been invitations to grow, to expand my boundaries, and to find strength I never knew I had. I now know that life’s greatest lessons are often found on the other side of adversity. And when we look beyond the obstacle, we see that there is a world of possibility waiting for us—a world where we are not defined by our struggles, but by how we rise above them.