Having lived both in Los Angeles and Phoenix, I have been acquainted with traffic for quite some time.

I hate traffic.

Sure, sometimes a car accident happens or it's a construction zone. In that case, traffic is understandable.

It's all the other times that drive me crazy. It's when it feels completely unnecessary. All the cars are jammed pack because one person decided to step on the brakes throwing a whole mess of cars off because of the laws of the rubberband effect.

Meanwhile, I'm behind the wheel sitting in what feels like a parking lot, frustrated because I'm not getting to where I want to be. I'm not even moving; yet, I'm burning all this gas trying to get somewhere. The carpool lane or even the other side of the freeway is moving and I'm watching them at 0 mph.

That's the worst part. Whether you are behind the wheel or not, it's not easy watching others get to where they're going when you're not moving at all.

Some of us know what we want to do with our lives. We know where we want to be. It's getting there that's the problem because it feels like everything is stopping us from getting there. We're just stuck in the car and unable to move, no matter how hard we try.

Ladies and gents, it's times like this where we need to gain something called PERSPECTIVE.

Life, like traffic, doesn't play by our rules. If it did, life would be easy and we'd have no need for God. As we all know, life is far from easy. We have to work hard for what we want. No matter how hard we work, we will always need God.

In fact, God uses these frustrating moments that feel so unnecessary to teach us more and more about His faithfulness, His goodness, and His promises.

It's the waiting. It's the no good, slow down traffic life offers us that God uses to mold us and shape us into the person He wants us to be.

He continuously reminds us that while we're worried about getting somewhere someday, he's more concerned about our hearts and whether or not we are seeking him right now.

Slowing down may seem like it's forever, but it's not. Take this time of slowing down to gather your senses. Look around at the scenery and realize you're not the only one stuck in traffic. No, it's not just you.

I know you want to go full speed ahead chasing your dreams, but perspective is about taking a step back. Try new things by doing things you never thought you would do. Find things that you're passionate about and let that be the driving force when life picks up again. Yes, life will pick up again and when it does, you need to be in the right state of mind for all the bumps in the road along the way.