The "American way" is to pull yourself up by your bootstraps, work hard, and make life happen by your own efforts. Then why is life so doggone difficult? Perhaps because we were never meant to face our challenges and crosses on our own, but rather with the strength of God.

We can find peace and strength by surrendering to God's will, finding a "holy indifference" to success or failure, poverty or riches. So long as we are deeply rooted in Him, all will be well!