Do you ever worry that things are just too tough? Ever feel overwhelmed, or that you’re carrying a heavy load? Do you ever wonder how you can handle the strong emotions that just erupt inside? Or have you ever done something that was stupid, or gotten yourself in a jam, and you just don’t know if you can handle what may come as a result of it? Take just a moment right now, and let’s look at a way that can help you manage the tough spots.

In 1895, the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche was dealing with the death of his best friend. While going through the process of handling the grief and loss of this life-long friend, Nietzsche made this statement, “If this doesn’t kill me, it shall surely make me stronger.“ On later reflection back into this great loss and how he handled it, he found he really did feel stronger and more able to cope with other tough situations that arose later in his life. This phrase has helped millions cope with tough times (me included.)

A different way of saying the same concept came from my mother. She raised me as a single parent after my dad died when I was 7. I wasn’t an easy kid to raise at some times, so mom and I had our problems. When things looked bleak, when I’d feel down or be struggling with some problem (self created or other) she’d say, “Somehow, some way, things always work out.” I got sick of hearing her say that. But upon reflection into the events of my past when I was about 15, it dawned on me that mom really was right.

Things somehow blow over. The problem gets resolved. The pain of heartbreak eases…then fades away. The trouble that was so embarrassing passes and we keep going. The physical threats we receive that terrify us, and make us want to run…go away. Even the physical trauma we receive is forgotten, or at least lightened up after a while. We lose our money, but make it through. Check it out in your own life right now. The situations you went through just a few days or a week ago may still be upsetting and painful. But if you look back 1, 2, 5 years or more, you’ll see that those things you thought you’d never get over, no longer carry the same sting they once did.

No matter what circumstance we come from, our mind doesn’t want to live in pain. It has an automatic removal system for detaching from the negative. You can give this a boost by affirming to yourself over and over during the good times and the bad, that “Things always work out. They always have, and they always will. I don’t even know how necessarily…but some way this’ll get better and work out.”

At that tough time you may not know how it will get better or be overcome, but it happens. Only when you give up, are you truly beaten by the people, the situation or the storms you experience. As Nietzsche said, these rough times have the potential to help us grow and be stronger.

Shortly after World War II, Sir Winston Churchill was asked to give a speech to the graduating class of Oxford University. The person who was introducing him went on for so long, that Mr. Churchill decided to not do the original speech he’d written. Instead, here is the speech he gave. “Never! Never! Never, give up!” No matter how bad it gets or how tough it is at any moment, never give up. Things will work out, you will get through it, and the storm will pass. Don’t allow the negatives to drag you down. Affirm you can and will make it through.