There’s hope in the grittiness of life.

That’s not one of the best photos I’ve ever taken. It was taken from my office, through a window, with an iPhone 4S. I came close to skipping this one. One of the few reasons I may not stick to following the order of my one-a-day photo challenge is that the picture is just a bad picture. Nobody needs to see those.

Yet, while I don’t consider this one good, I find it’s texture appealing.

I see that face you’re making. Some of you went back to the photo, maybe gave it some thought, and shook your head.

Why do some like the look and feel of this photo? Probably because it has a sense of authenticity. Maybe even more so when you consider the conditions under which it was taken. It’s dark. The camera was a phone. There’s a pane of glass between the photographer and the subject. It’s kind of “this is what you get when you’re in this situation.”

Life can be that way.

My guess is that you’ve either been through, are going through, or will go through things that do not look like they’ve jumped off the pages of a fashion magazine.

I’ll let you pick your situation. Maybe it’s your daily struggle with a health issue. Could be you know when you talk with your spouse you feel five out of ten times you’re going to say the wrong thing. Do you leave your job at the end of a workday, dreading waking up the next morning to have to do it all over again?

You wouldn’t describe any of those situations as airbrushed to perfection. Unblemished doesn’t come to mind. Glossy, vibrant—not a chance.

No, in fact, you might say taking treatments, constantly giving blood, seeing doctor after doctor is gritty at best. Constantly walking on eggshells around someone makes you moody. Trying to fall asleep at night when you know the very next thing you’ll be doing (outside of sleeping) is getting ready to go back to the job—gut-wrenching.

When you are facing any one of the few circumstances I mentioned, having someone say “cheer up”, “try harder”, or even a well-intended, “hang in there”, may hurt more than it helps. I understand that. That’s the last thing I want to do.

So, what do you tell someone?

Tell them what Jesus told His disciples. Click To Tweet

Here’s what Jesus told His disciples as He said farewell, just before praying for them.

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NASB)

Jesus said those words to His closest followers, knowing He was about to be arrested, forsaken, rejected, mocked, tortured, and executed.

Friend, and I use that word in all sincerity, life is gritty. It can feel harsh and unfair. You will not find peace through simply trying harder. The only real peace comes from the One who has already overcome everything you’re dealing with.

As difficult as it seems, ask yourself this question. “If I can’t handle this on my own, where can I turn?” The answer is, to the One who knows your struggle. Look at that list again of what He went through. He’s been there.

And He overcame it all.

May God bless you in ways only He can.