Even all these years after losing our seventeen-year-old daughter Melissa in a car accident in 2002, I sometimes find myself entering the world of “What If.” It’s easy, in grief, to reimagine the events of that tragic June evening and think of factors that—if rearranged—would have had Mell arriving safely home.

在2002年的一场车祸，我们失去了年仅十七岁的女儿梅莉莎。即使过了这么多年，我仍会陷入“如果”的思潮。有时在忧伤中，我会想起那年六月的傍晚，如果能将一些事重新安排，悲剧也许就不会发生，梅莉莎说不定就会平安到家。

In reality, though, the land of “What If” is not a good place to be for any of us. It is a place of regret, second-guessing, and hopelessness. While the grief is real and the sadness endures, life is better and God is honored if we dwell in the world of “What Is.”

但在现实生活中，这种“如果”的想法，并不会让人得着益处，只会带来无谓的猜测、懊悔以及绝望。虽然悲伤是真实且持续的，但若我们能回到“现实”世界中，我们的生活会更美好，上帝的名也会得着荣耀。

In that world, we can find hope, encouragement, and comfort. We have the sure hope (1 Thess. 4:13)—the assurance—that because Melissa loved Jesus she is in a place that is “better by far” (Phil. 1:23). We have the helpful presence of the God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:3). We have God’s “ever-present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). And we often have the encouragement of fellow believers.

在现实世界中，我们可以找到希望、鼓励和安慰。我们有确切的盼望（帖撒罗尼迦前书4章13节） ，因为我们知道梅莉莎爱耶稣，如今她必定在“好得无比”的地方（腓立比书1章23节） 。我们有赐各样安慰之上帝的同在（哥林多后书1章3节） ，我们也有上帝“在患难中随时的帮助”（诗篇46篇1节），我们还常常有信徒的安慰和激励。

We all wish to avoid the tragedies of life. But when we do face hard times, our greatest help comes from trusting God, our sure hope in the land of What Is.

没有人想遭遇患难，但若我们真的面对困难时，别忘了最大的帮助来自信靠上帝，祂使我们在现实的世界中得着确实的盼望。

Father God, You know my broken heart. You know the pain of loss because You suffered through the death of Your Son. In the midst of ongoing sorrow, help me to dwell in the comfort of Your hope, encouragement, and comfort.