There is no way to avoid the struggles, disappointments, failures, and challenges of life, and that’s ok. The tragedy is when people are forced to face these difficulties alone, without resources, and without support. I don’t necessarily mind hard times on principle, because they can keep you from becoming complacent. On a personal level, I believe that the measure with which you can feel joy and happiness is inversely proportional to the depths of the despairs you have felt. In other words, If you have always had a pretty easy, enjoyable life – you can’t really appreciate the highs. On the other hand, if you’ve had a rough time of it, you can feel the joyous times that much more intensely because of the distance from your lowest low to your current high.

Don’t get me wrong – I don’t enjoy hard times. I’ve had my fair share already and would happily go struggle-free from now on, but that’s not life.

Fortunately, regardless of whether we have a team, a family, a group of friends, a fur baby, or no one at all – we don’t ever have to go through things alone. We have a heavenly father who will be with us when the way is rough, and the day seems long – we need only ask.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  Isaiah 43:2