Bobby
First off welcome to the forum.
As to the issue, from what I recall it was a bit like patting your head and rubbing your belly. Took me a while sync everything up. Like you thought it seemed impossible. But tapping your foot or nodding your head really helps to keep the rhythm tight, especially if you are playing over a backing track or jamming with others. Its something that takes a bit of practice, certainly with 16th and accents but try and stick with it.
Best advice is to slllllllooooooooooooowwwwwwww right down. Get it working then speed it up.
Foot tapping is a way of internalising the rhythm, you may advance to simply rocking your body or nodding your head like some the greats do, but they all do something to stay on point.
Hope that helps
Cheers
Toby
