Hardship

I'm not entirely enamored with some of President Obama's initiatives, policies--but do love this remark from 2007:

"I take away the compelling idea that there’s serious evil in the world, and hardship and pain. And we should be humble and modest in our belief we can eliminate those things. But we shouldn’t use that as an excuse for cynicism and inaction. I take away the sense we have to make these efforts knowing they are hard, and not swinging from naïve idealism to bitter realism..."

This reminds me of the honesty and hopefulness in Jesus' words:

"In this world you have many troubles. But don't be afraid: I have overcome the world."

John 16:33