When tragedy happens, we tend to question things. We question God, ourselves, the air because what do you mean they’re gone, I have cancer, my car is totaled, I’m being laid off, I have to move … what? It’s also during these times that anger rises because we don’t understand. Without understanding, all we have is anger, confusion and probably cuss words. Why me/us, why now or even what did I do to deserve this. When the truth of the matter is, you don’t have to do anything wrong or do everything right for suffering to become part of your life.

Yes, God cares, but here’s the reality of life: SUFFERING WILL HAPPEN. And it’s going to happen whether we’re ready or not. Why? It’s a part of life. Does it make it easier? Nope.

Things are going to happen that hurt and leave us lost and confused. Sometimes the test will be positive for cancer. A womb may not carry a child. There may be heartbreak, death, a rocky marriage, a failed business, a lost job. Organs don’t function well. Family members get sick or die suddenly. A house is foreclosed. A car is repossessed. You may even think it’s evil—but what if it’s just life happening?

And life happens because we’re living.

So, let me tell you this. While life is lifing, breathe. Because with every breath, oxygen is transferred to your blood to give you energy. Energy to take one more step. Stop trying to figure out the days. Take it a step at a time, breath by breath and moment by moment. Soon you’ll see that you can, in fact, survive. How do I know? Because suffering and surviving can exist at the same time.

Suffering represents the situation while survival reflects your ability to endure.

Breathe!