Over the past 10 days or so, it seems that each day has brought some type of bad news – whether to my family, folks in our office or to close friends and acquaintances. It has almost reached the point that you wonder what will happen next.

Considering all that has happened, maybe I should not even write that sentence. From unexpected deaths, serious health issues, family problems and other trials that life sometimes brings, it almost seems like you cannot believe what is happening around you.

Many times in life, the burdens and hard knocks of life take you down and prevent you from being able to find your way back. The “Why is this happening?” question just does not seem to have any answers.

We can ponder and even question our own beliefs as to why things are happening in our life and question why they are happening to us and our friends and family. It is human nature to try to understand why life happens as it does, but so many times there really is no answer to be found on our side of creation.

While sitting at the hospital with my dad this week, a friend sent a message reminding me that in all things God is in control. We may fool ourselves into thinking that we can handle whatever life throws our way, but in reality we are only making a bad situation worse.

It was never intended for us to deal with life’s trials and tribulations alone, without knowing from where hope comes. Our hope comes in the form of faith.

One definition of faith is a belief not based on proof, taken from Wikipedia. From the book of Hebrews, we get this definition:

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

This definition of faith works much better for me. Not only can we survive the trials and tribulations of life but we can do so with the bold confidence that He is in control of all creation. We have His assurance that a better day is coming and have faith knowing that even death has been conquered.

While life can be difficult many times and sorrow over loss can be overwhelming, the proof of our faith can be seen in the faces of those who comfort and help us during our difficult times and share our burdens with us.

The last verse of this chapter should really get us excited:

“Since God had planned something better for us so only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11:30 (NIV)