A friend recently commented on a post I shared, asking a question I think many of us have pondered at some point in our lives: How can God let babies die of cancer? It’s a heart-wrenching question, and I wish I had a clear answer. The truth is, there is no simple or easy explanation for why bad things happen in this world. Why does suffering exist? Why do tragedies strike, sometimes in the most innocent or unfair ways?

I can’t pretend to know all the reasons. But I do know this: through all the tragedy in my life, I’ve made it. And somehow, my faith has been my guiding light. I believe that everyone has a purpose, even when we can’t see it clearly in the moment. Those who have passed, those who have suffered, have all fulfilled their purpose—whether we understand it or not. Sometimes we see the impact of their lives only after they’ve gone. And sometimes, the reason behind their suffering may not become clear in our lifetime.

Looking back at the challenges I’ve faced—losing my mother, my sister, a cousin, dear friends, enduring a divorce, homelessness, even battling cancer—I can’t deny how much pain has shaped me. In moments when I thought I wouldn’t survive, when I felt completely alone, there was always something that held me together. My faith. My Bible. And the belief that even in the midst of loss and suffering, there is meaning, there is purpose, even if I don’t see it right away.

Life is messy. It’s hard. There are days when it feels like everything is falling apart. We ask questions like, Why did God take my loved ones so soon? Why did I lose my home? Why did I have to endure such heartache and loss? These are questions that may never have clear answers. But over time, I’ve come to realize that every event, both good and bad, has led me to where I am today. Every piece of my past has shaped the person I am now and prepared me for the blessings in my current life.

I think about the people I’ve lost—the ones who left this world before we felt they were ready to go—and I don’t have the answers. I wish I could explain it. But I know that even in their passing, they’ve served a purpose. And in my grief, I was called to find meaning. I learned to appreciate life in a way that I might not have, had I not experienced such loss. It was in the darkest moments of my life that I came to understand the beauty of living fully, of cherishing every moment, even the tough ones.

Recently I sold everything I owned and hit the road, uncertain of where I would go next. Many thought I was crazy. But there was something in my heart that knew I was following the path I was supposed to be on, even though I couldn’t always see where it would lead. It isn’t always easy. But it is part of the journey, and it brings me joy. Even on the hard days.

And I can’t help but think back to a conversation I had with my ex-husband. He once told me he wished he could have the kind of faith I had—the kind of faith that would let me get on a plane and fly to Africa because I felt God was calling me there. A year before I ever set foot on that plane, I knew I was going. And when I finally did, I discovered the joy of trusting, of stepping out in faith even when the future was unclear.

Life is full of uncertainty. It’s full of pain, loss, and confusion. But I believe with all my heart that there is a greater purpose behind it all. We may not understand the reasons for suffering or the loss of those we love, but I know that through faith, we find strength. Through faith, we find purpose. And through faith, we find joy—even in the hardest of times.

So when life feels too heavy, when the questions overwhelm, I encourage you to hold on. Trust that your journey, with all its twists and turns, is leading you to a place where you will see the meaning and purpose in your life—just as I have come to see in mine. You may not have all the answers, but I believe, just as I do, that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: no matter what we face, God is with us. Even in our darkest hours, He is there, showing us the way, even when the path ahead seems unclear. So, we hold on. We have faith. And we keep going. Because in the end, every step, every tear, every moment of joy, brings us closer to the purpose we’re meant to fulfill.