The hardest person you will ever battle is you and you alone. American writer Carl Sandberg once said, “There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.”

I think we can all relate to that statement. There are days when I am in the flow, and there are days when I can barely go. It’s easy to believe in ourselves when we’re in the flow, but the true test comes when we encounter obstacles along the road. It’s in the midst of these challenging moments that we have to stay strong and keep moving forward despite the discouragement we feel. French-German theologian Albert Schweitzer said, “One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.”

If you think success comes without opposition, you have a faulty view of success. The road to success is filled with obstacles. My encouragement to you is to embrace the journey of life whatever comes your way and to keep on believing…you will get stronger. Mountaineer, explorer, and philanthropist Sir Edmund Hillary said, “It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Change your thinking, and you will change your future. Challenge yourself to think thoughts that bear good fruit. Your thoughts will always take you somewhere; make sure it is where you are destined to go. Genuinely believe in yourself, and I guarantee you’ll experience greater possibilities. Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”