If we’re not tested then how will we know?

Lately I’ve been thinking that without tests and obstacles in our lives, we would never really know what our true capabilities are. It’s only when we have to face difficulty and go through hassles that we begin to understand that what we thought we could never do, actually becomes possible. It seems that human beings have so much potential, but they limit themselves and create false boundaries because of fear, but through tests from Allah, those boundaries are broken and we can emerge from there wiser and stronger than before.

What I’ve also noticed is that most of the time, the tests we are given only last for a while. It certainly doesn’t go on forever, after hardship there is without doubt ease, as Allah Almighty has told us in the Glorious Quraan. But the personal growth that comes as a result of this test does last forever, and it helps to make us better and stronger people. Think about it, if we handle a crisis well then we emerge from that crisis knowing that we have the ability to deal with things and this makes us more confident and better equipped to deal with further crises. And if we go through a crisis and handle it poorly then this serves as a lesson for us, and even though we may not have handled things well this time, chances are that the next time we are faced with a similar situation, then we will be more equipped to deal with it and we will handle it better. So actually, it’s sort of like a win-win situation. Either way, we learn something important about ourselves or others and this inevitably helps us in developing our growth.

At the time we may wonder why things are happening to us, and it may seem unfair that we should be tested. Sometimes we may think that we are the only one being tested while others seem to get off easy. We think this way because our knowledge is limited to what we are able to see right now and based on the little experience we have of life. The Knowledge of the Almighty is infinite and includes past, present and future, so definitely Allah knows best about all the tests that He puts different people through.

We are taught that Allah tests the people He loves most, more than others, and if we look at tests in terms of growth and self-empowerment, then this makes a lot of sense. If each test makes us better, stronger, more knowledgeable and more experienced, and if each test allows us to deal with life a little better, then isn’t it logical that those who are tested more would be more self-empowerment, knowledgeable, experienced and better able to deal with things?

SO I guess that we have to go through tests to understand our true potential. Remaining constantly within our comfort zones actually hinders our growth and this may prove to be more negative than positive in the long run. Yes, it definitely doesn’t seem very positive while we are going through tests and really no one sits there and thinks; ‘ well hey these difficulties are great because it’s making me a better person”. All the wisdom of the test only comes with hindsight, only after it passes do we understand the reasons and we realize that actually it was for our own good. So in the end, all we have to do is remember that Allah always knows what’s best for us and if we remain patient then Inshaa-Allah at some point we will understand the wisdom behind the tests we’ve been given and we will be able to see how it has benefited our lives.

And Allah Almighty Knows best about all things!

Image from here