Facing Life’s Challenges

We all have challenges in life, some are bigger, and others are smaller. We may be tested daily with different issues, while we may have one or two persistent obstacles that haunt us over months or even years. We often feel, “If I could just get rid of these nisyonot (tests) then

everything will be wonderful,” yet they don’t seem to disappear too quickly. Instead of looking to rid ourselves of these struggles, we need to shift our mindset to embrace them.

Apple was working on a brand new secret project headed by Scott Forstell, a senior vice president. Forstell only wanted growth-minded individuals capable of facing challenges to be on this team for this incredible task. These individuals would be able to persevere and overcome. Forstell issued a memorandum to Apple’s top employees of the incredible opportunity to work on a top-secret project providing ample chances to “make mistakes and struggle, but eventually we may do something that will be remembered for the rest of our lives.” Forstall surmised that applicants would not become dismayed or discouraged by the tremendous difficulties. Instead, the development-oriented team would remain inspired, curious, and committed through the arduous process. Ultimately, Forstall’s Project Purple, as it was encoded, created the original iPhone.

The Ramban tells us that all of the nisyonot detailed in the Torah were undertaken for the benefit of the subject. Do not forget, we all have ingrained strengths, however it is our job to reveal each. Tribulations uncover latent hidden attributes giving them life in the real world. Challenges serve as opportunities to grow. Life’s struggles are

necessary to bring out our awesome capabilities

“Every difficulty in life can be viewed either as a hardship or as a challenge,” penned Rebbetzin Tzipporah Heller in a recent article. When every test is viewed as a ‘hardship,’ a person begins to harbor bitter sentiments, saying, “Forget it, I am going to throw in the towel. I am a victim and I cannot handle this one day more.” This is followed by feelings of rejection and despair.

Once we shift our mindset and regard hardships as challenges within reach of overcoming, we finally foresee accomplishments and feel, “I am ready to grab the bull by its horns and find the inner strength to properly address my struggles.” One then is able to grow from a situation initially seen as a horror and recognize vigor and potential strengths and capabilities that have actually existed within me all this time. There

is no question about it; the challenges of life that come our way are difficult to deal with. They

are not meant to be easy. However, if we take a moment to  stop and realize that they are given

to us to facilitate our growth,  to bring out the potential that we have and to ultimately  accomplish and fulfill our mission here  in this world.

By Rabbi Yaakov Moskowitz