We can learn to avoid pain and difficult situations in life, but sometimes our best skills for avoidance are just not enough. When we meet those times in our lives, we need to make the best with what we have been given.

In the extreme case where your life may be at stake, Psalm 23 has some encouragement: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me" (verse 4). Our faith can increase when the most severe trial is before us and God bids us walk through. Take His hand.