One more thought on wishful thinking.

As I read Waking the Dead by John Eldredge, I am reminded that many of us struggle with hope vs wishful thinking because we don't realize OR we under estimate the significance of spiritual warfare  John 10:10 is Jesus saying that He came to give life but the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. It is a war. A battle. Jesus is not passive. He is fighting for us. The victory will come but ithe fight still going on. 

We may be struggling because we are hoping for things to be easy. Or easier. Well, we have no idea how many times Gd has intervened for us and how much harder it could be. Pain and suffering are real. I am not denying this fact. I am just reminded that we have a great high priest who is fighting for us. We are not alone. The battle is waging and out Savior is fighting with us and for us. 

As Jim Rohn said, "Don't wish things were easier, wish you were better, stronger."  

Get the book by John Eldredge. 

Go to the book of John in the Bible. 

Don't go solo.