In my view all of these problems are conceptual at the root.
According to the present paradigm as represented by the Standard Model forces are mediated by force particles, the photon, graviton, etc, operating in an empty vacuum. This empty vacuum is for unknown reasons a playground for the virtual particles of quantum mechanics which endows the vacuum with absurd energy content.
Shifting the focus from particles to a "fabric of the universe" while trying to understand the reason that fabric might be very difficult to detect would be a change of concept which, I'm sure, would provide a remedy that might eventually also bring about a change of paradigm.
You may find some ideas in this direction at http://spacetime.nu/ with the latest addition from January 2016 being "Endless Vibrations".