When I came across this quote from Imam Omar Suleiman, I got goosebumps!

The word painful just hits me right up because it is so scary to be in pain.

But at the same time, whatever challenges we face in life, it is a lesson for us to learn from.

1. The way you handle the challenges/hardships/difficulty.
   Some of the things you need to acknowledge:
   – Are you a person who easily gets down or highly spirited?
   – Do you give up or you fight back? Or you just ignore and follow the flow?
   – Do you need someone by your side to support you or talk to them?
   – Do you have someone you can count on?
   – Do you make a plan? Do you follow your plan?
   – Do you see the options you have?
   – How do you stay strong?
   – What do you do when you get so upset?
   – How do you celebrate your winning?
   
2. Is there a better way to handle it?
   Make a reflection on how could you handle it differently and think would it be better that way. This might help you in future if you face similar problem. Or you can help other people that need some advice.
   
3. Personal growth – knowing the person you’ve become
   Know yourself and be aware of this wonderful person you’ve become. Sometimes after facing so many challenges in life, you will be this strong independent person. Recognize where you got the strength from. Recognize where you got your success from. Understand that you are capable of anything, inshaAllah.
   

Also, don’t ever think that sadness is a sign of weak iman. Our prophets had been tested with waaaaay worse than us.

“The greatest of people that walked this Earth grieved deeply, and yet they had the best relationship with Allah, the highest of Iman. Your grief does not mean your faith is weak. Just as Allah gave you life, He gave you emotions and they serve a purpose. Your struggles are an opportunity to gain closeness to Allah. Your grief is mercy.”

– Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research

Another thing to note, some people may have bigger problems than us. Which sometimes when I am facing difficulty, I question myself like ‘Why do you get so so upset? This challenge is not greater than what other people are facing. You still have a good life alhamdulillah.’ – I know we have to be grateful, but I also have to recognize my problem because as simple as it may look, Allah may give me more worry or uncomfortable feelings than those who face worse problem. That is still my challenge, my test. Allah loves me and He wanted to see how I handle that.

Allah is the best planner and He always know what is best for us. When He puts you through challenges or hardships, remember that He chose you. And He chose you for a reason because Allah never did something without plan and reason. He knows you are strong enough to go through it and He knows you will learn something for it. Remember that Allah will not put you through something you are incapable of handling.

لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا

Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. 

(Quran 2:286)

So, pray and put trust in Allah. Let’s pray that we will always be reminded that Allah’s love is greater than our fear of the unknown and His plan is better than our dreams. Ameen.

I also love what A. Helwa said in her book,

When we realize that Allah loves us beyond what can be fathomed and that He always knows what is best for us, our fear of the unknown transforms into faith..

Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam

May our faith in Him grows stronger every day.

Read my related post: https://ishallexplore.home.blog/2020/05/31/life-is-difficult-limit-yourself-or-stop-limiting-yourself/

Love,
S.