I’ll admit that before becoming a father, I had some preconceived notions about what fatherhood would be like. I figured I’d walk in the door after a long day and the kids would run up, yelling and screaming in their excitement to see me.

During dinner, Amy and I would talk about our days, while the kids listened attentively and offered insightful comments of their own.

After dinner, bath time would consist of the kids playing and giggling as Amy and I washed away the dirt and grime of their healthy, developmental play.

Once the kids were bathed, we’d dress them for bed. Then we’d hold them and kiss them and love on them while we rocked them to sleep.

Here’s what it’s really like: I come home after a long day, and the kids are yelling and screaming, but not because they’re excited to see me. Chloe’s upset because Amy won’t let her watch TV. Cole’s crying because he’s hungry.

Before I can slip back out the door unnoticed, Amy sees me and says, “You. Get in here. Don’t make me chase you down.”

During dinner, there’s not much conversation. Rather, Amy and I sit in stunned silence. Chloe and Cole play with their food while Amy and I try to figure out why the dog is missing an L-shaped patch of fur from his side.

At bath time, Chloe cries because she’s got soap in her eyes. As Amy leans in to help, Chloe splashes half of the water out of the tub and onto her.

Finally, bedtime arrives. We wrestle the kids into bed, oversee two instances of “just one more sip of water,” and intercept three visits (each!) to the bathroom before collapsing, exhausted, into our own bed.

Honestly, this is not what I thought fatherhood would be like. I thought it would be ... easier.

Some people view the Christian life in the same way. They expect that once they come to Christ, everything will be easier. Then they’re surprised when it isn’t. The truth is, the Christian life is no guarantee of an easy life.

In John 16:33, Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation.” Well, he was right about that.

Thankfully, he didn’t stop there. He continued by saying, “But take courage; I have overcome the world.”

While we may face struggles in life, Jesus is bigger, stronger, and more powerful than any of the struggles we may face.

He has overcome the world, and he will help you do the same.

Parrish Myers is a local minister. His column appears biweekly in Sunday Life and on gainesvilletimes.com/life.