My post last week focused on suicide, mental health, and depression in teenagers. But you’re a grown-up now. What about you—and the struggles you’re going through?

This world isn’t what we thought it would be. Maybe you’re a millennial and adulthood hasn’t been everything you were promised. For those in the military, serving your country sounds great, but the things you’ve seen and the stress you’ve been under means you understand why the suicide rate is so high among those on active duty.

Oh, let’s talk about 40- and 50-year-olds. Are you really supposed to have the answers to all the things your teenagers are facing? And I thought Disney promised that our relationships would be lived happily ever after.

No matter what age you are, none of us grew up thinking we’d have to live with chronic illness or chronic pain. Waking up every morning to face the reality of losing a child to overdose is a constant burden; there is no “getting over it.” Instead there is simply “getting through it.” Looking for a job for six, eight, or eleven months after you’ve been laid off is discouraging.

Sometimes we’d really like to wake up one morning and have it all be better. I mean, I wouldn’t mind a money tree, a magic pill, or a fairy godmother to make everything work out. 

But that’s not how life works. In fact, Jesus tells us, “In this world you will have trouble.” But he follows it quickly with “But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

You will have trouble. A quick scan of your life will show you that. You don’t need a blog to remind you.

But take heart. Jesus has overcome. Maybe you don’t believe that. Looking at the world, it doesn’t seem like Jesus really did. But you’re not alone in feeling that way. That first Easter no one believed that Jesus was really the Savior. After all, the disciples were hiding in fear and the women were going to the tomb to tend to the body. But their disbelief and disappointment and struggle didn’t change the fact that Jesus did rise. Your moments of doubt, disappointment, and struggle don’t change the fact either: Jesus has overcome.

Now you live by faith as you remind yourself of truth. You find trusted counselors and therapists to help. You turn to your spiritual family to remind you of all of God’s promises. You find a way to share the comfort God has given you in your struggles with others in the same situation.

You make it through because Jesus has overcome. You live by faith because Jesus lives.

Linda Buxa is a writer, Bible study leader, and retreat speaker. She is thankful for all the people in her life who live by faith and serve as examples of holding on to God’s promises even in the darkest moments.