How would you feel if you played a game where the controls were broken? You followed the walkthrough, and you put in the grind, but life still is not going your way. We all have this internal script of how our lives are supposed to look:
- I should have my driver’s license/first job by now.
- My SAT should have cracked the amount of effort I put in.
- Why is my family/health/social life such a mess when I’m trying so hard?”
When things go south, we get frustrated and start questioning Allah swt. Everyone around me seems to be doing so well, then why not me? It is like we have written a contract for our lives and we are mad that Allah swt didn’t sign it! Remember. You are not the director of this movie; you are only an actor!
Our 5-Year Plan
We try to put Allah swt on trial because life didn’t follow our tiny 5-year plan. It is pretty wild when you think about it: we can’t even control our own heartbeats or keep ourselves from catching a cold, yet we try to cross-examine the One who manages the entire universe!
We create a list of “shoulds” based on our limited POV, and when life hits differently, we act like we have been cheated. But that “contract” was drafted by our ego, not by reality.
The “Lag” in Our Logic
Allah swt knew your entire story before you even had a name. He swt saw the end of the road while you were still figuring out how to tie your shoelaces! Just because you can’t see the ‘why’ behind a struggle doesn’t mean there isn’t a massive amount of wisdom behind it.
Think of it like this:
- The Shield: Sometimes a door is slammed in your face because there’s a literal fire behind it. That rejection was a rescue mission.
- The Detox: Hardship can be a cure for an “inner illness” (ego, pride or selfishness) that was starting to rot your character.
- The Level-Up: In Paradise, there are VIP levels that your daily habits alone might not get you to. Sometimes, Allah swt sends a “ladder of difficulty” to help you level up your rank.
The Takeaway
The struggle you’re going through right now will eventually fade and disappear. But the growth, strength, and rewards it leaves behind are permanent.
A Hadith sums this up beautifully: “.. So whoever is pleased shall have pleasure, and whoever is displeased shall have displeasure.” (al-Tirmidhi)
Basically, your perspective changes your reality. If you trust the process (and the Creator of the process), you’ll find peace even when the script changes.
Think about the last time something didn’t go your way (a missed opportunity or a failed test). Looking back now, can you see a “hidden blessing” or a lesson that actually made you better?