When Faith Is Tested: What Suffering Can Teach Us

Suffering is never easy, and yet it often becomes a turning point in a person’s life.

Many people discover that their hardest moments are the very ones that draw them closer to Hashem. Pain has a way of lifting our eyes upward, forcing us to confront our dependence on the Creator and renew our trust in Him.

At times, the challenge feels so intense that without constant faith and reliance on Hashem, a person feels they cannot stand. In those moments, one is placed in a position where hope, trust, and prayer must be strengthened again and again, day and night.

Inner Growth Through Hardship

Struggle often reveals qualities that comfort never could.

Through suffering, a person may learn patience and humility. The heart softens, pride weakens, and compassion grows. Having felt pain personally, it becomes easier to sense the pain of others and to respond with genuine empathy.

Difficult experiences also help clarify priorities. Physical comfort begins to matter less, while spiritual purpose takes center stage. A person starts to reflect more deeply on their mission in life and what truly matters.

Most importantly, hardship teaches a powerful truth: a person cannot succeed by their own strength alone. There is no power or control except through Hashem’s will.

When Pain Awakens Prayer

In cases of serious illness or deep crisis, a person may feel they need nothing short of a miracle. These moments awaken sincere prayer and remind us that life is not in human hands.

Our sages teach that the matriarchs were barren so that they would pray. Sometimes, suffering is meant to reconnect a person with prayer, humility, and faith. Through one person’s struggle, others may also awaken to repentance, prayer, and fear of Hashem.

There is a moving story told about Rabbi Yonah Yosef Erentroy zt”l, who endured a painful illness. When his family wanted to close the windows so others would not hear his cries, he insisted they remain open. “Let people hear,” he said. “Let them remember how fragile this world is and return to Hashem before it’s too late.”

Turning Personal Pain Into Strength for Others

Suffering does not only come to the wicked. Often, it comes to good people for their benefit, to reveal hidden strengths and help them correct what cannot be seen during calm times.

If you have reached a point where your experiences allow you to support and guide others who are suffering, this is a great merit. There is no wisdom like the wisdom gained through experience.

Someone who has endured hardship and emerged with faith intact is uniquely equipped to strengthen others. There is nothing more precious before Hashem than bringing hope, courage, and joy to the hearts of those who are struggling.

The Power of Bringing Joy to the Brokenhearted

The Gemara relates that Eliyahu the Prophet once showed Rabbi Beroka two men in the marketplace who were guaranteed a share in the World to Come. Their merit was that they brought joy to sad people.

There is no illness as destructive as sadness and inner despair. And there is no greater mitzvah than helping heal wounded hearts. Often, the person best able to do this is someone who has suffered deeply and learned how to rise again.

The Hardest Stage Is the Beginning

Rabbi Shmuel Rozovsky zt”l taught that the most difficult part of suffering is the beginning, when the pain first strikes and feels overwhelming. Once that stage passes, and with Hashem’s help, continuing becomes easier.

As our sages say, all beginnings are difficult. But salvation, with divine assistance, always follows.