Embracing the Struggle

This spring has been a doozy — both on the farm and off. I don’t say that lightly. In 15 years of farming, I don’t think we’ve ever had a streak of machinery issues quite like this one. From the nagging little problems that waste time and patience, to the big-ticket breakdowns that chew through the budget like a hungry coyote, it’s been a season.

Once the dust settles and we dig into our post-seeding review, we’ll get a clearer picture: How much of the chaos could’ve been prevented with better maintenance and prep? And how much was just good ol’ fashioned bad luck?

They say luck is where preparation meets opportunity. Well, let’s just say we had plenty of machinery that was prepared to break — and given the chance, they took it. But here’s the upside: we were also prepared to fix. Thanks to a top-notch team and a little breathing room built into the schedule, we’ve handled the breakdowns as they came — one after another. No panic. Just progress.

Now, it’d be easy to play the victim card. But honestly? I’m grateful for the struggle. These challenges are teaching us. They’re showing us where we’re rock solid and where we need to beef up. That’s not failure — that’s growth in disguise.

Here’s the thing: when the struggle hits, you’ve got two options — run from it or lean into it. When your faith in your systems and your skills starts to wobble, that’s usually a sign that something big is on the horizon. A breakthrough, a lesson, an opportunity — whatever it is, it’s calling you to level up.

But fear’s a tricky beast. It wants you to stay where it’s safe. It whispers, “Go back to what you know. Don’t rock the boat.” And some days, that sounds real tempting — especially when the alternative is to keep stepping into the unknown.

I’m living that tension this week. Pushing for more — more growth, more impact, more service — has stretched me far beyond my comfort zone. And yeah, the fear is loud. It says, “Get back in the tractor. You know that game. You’re good at it. Stay there.”

But I know better. I’m choosing not just to accept the challenge — I’m embracing it. Because on the other side of this discomfort is more: more doing, more being, more giving. Like Ryan Holiday says, the obstacle is the way.

Whatever mountain you’re climbing right now, just remember: it’s not happening to you — it’s happening for you. The bigger the struggle, the greater the growth. So stay grounded, stay brave, and don’t shy away from the hard stuff. It’s the path forward.

And here’s a little secret — you don’t have to walk that path alone. Lean on your people. Friends, mentors, coaches, teammates — they can help turn the steep climb into something that feels a lot more like a hike with company.

Thanks for reading. If this message hit home, I’d love it if you shared it or subscribed. Your feedback means the world to me — the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Until next time — stay strong, and God bless.