Finding peace during difficult times is one of life’s greatest challenges. Often, when we face hardship, it feels like we are engulfed by it, as if the chaos of the moment has taken control. We lose our sense of stability, and peace seems distant. But peace is not the absence of struggle or difficulty. Rather, it is a state of connecting to something greater than ourselves that can sustain us. A dog's food bowl might be empty, he might be hungry but he isn't worried he will starve to death if he knows his owner is nearby, the dog has peace.
In moments of distress, we can become trapped in our immediate pain, unable to see beyond the present hardship. A person might lose their job, for example, and feel as if their world has collapsed. The uncertainty about their future and the financial strain can make it seem impossible to find peace. You must remember that no moment is the entirety of our story. It’s easy to become absorbed in the difficult chapter we are living, but as Kohelet teaches, "To everything there is a season." There is an ebb and flow to life, and while this may be a season of hardship, it’s just one part of a greater journey. Shifting our focus from the momentary crisis to the larger picture can relieve some of the tension, allowing us to see that there is more to come.
The scriptures constantly show us that hardship is for the sake of a greater ascension. One of the most powerful lessons taught through these stories is that what may seem like suffering or misfortune in the moment often serves as the pathway to a higher destiny.
Joseph
Joseph’s story is perhaps the most well-known example of hardship leading to a greater purpose. Sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, and imprisoned, Joseph endured years of suffering. How could someone possibly have peace during any of those moments? However, if you look at the larger picture and see the full story, each trial led him closer to his ultimate role as a leader in Egypt, where he saved countless lives during a famine.
Joseph himself recognized that his suffering had a divine purpose. When he finally revealed himself to his brothers, he said:
"Now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for G-d sent me before you to preserve life... G-d sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but G-d." (Genesis 45:5, 7-8)
Later, after Jacob’s death, Joseph reassures his brothers again, saying:
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but G-d meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (Genesis 50:20)
Joseph’s suffering was not only for his personal growth, but also for the survival of his family and the future nation of Israel.
Moses
Moses’ life is another example of hardship leading to greatness. From his early life, he faced significant challenges. As a baby, he was hidden to avoid death under Pharaoh's decree, then raised in Pharaoh’s palace while being aware of his Hebrew identity. Later, he fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian and spent years in exile as a shepherd.
However, it was during his time of exile in Midian that Moses encountered G-d at the burning bush and was given the mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. His experiences of rejection, exile, and hardship prepared him for the leadership and spiritual strength required to fulfill this immense task.
King David’s rise to greatness was marked by significant trials. Anointed by the prophet Samuel as a young shepherd, David spent years on the run from King Saul, who sought to kill him out of jealousy. David endured betrayal, isolation, and the constant threat of death.
However, these hardships refined David’s character and prepared him for kingship. Throughout the Psalms, David reflects on his struggles and the role they played in his relationship with G-d. One of the most famous Psalms, written during a time of distress, is Psalm 23, where David expresses his trust in G-d despite the hardships he faces:
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)
David’s trials strengthened his faith and leadership, leading him to become one of Israel’s greatest kings, establishing Jerusalem as the spiritual center of the Jewish people.
Esther
Esther’s story is another powerful example of hardship leading to a greater purpose. As a young Jewish woman, Esther was taken to the Persian king’s palace and became queen, but at great personal sacrifice. When the Jewish people were threatened with destruction due to Haman’s plot, Esther faced a moment of profound difficulty—whether to remain silent or risk her life by approaching the king to plead for her people.
Mordechai, her cousin, reminded her of the potential divine purpose behind her position, saying:
"And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)
Esther’s courage in the face of danger saved the Jewish people from annihilation, and she ascended to her greater purpose by transforming personal hardship into a moment of salvation.
Abraham
The life of Abraham is filled with tests and trials, many of which were profoundly difficult. From leaving his homeland to wander in a foreign land, to enduring famine, and especially the command to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, Abraham’s life was one of hardship and faith.
The Akeidah, or binding of Isaac, was the ultimate test, where Abraham was asked to sacrifice the son through whom G-d had promised to build a great nation. After Abraham’s unwavering obedience, G-d provided a ram in Isaac’s place and reaffirmed His covenant with Abraham:
"By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore." (Genesis 22:16-17)
This test of unimaginable hardship became the moment that solidified Abraham’s legacy as the father of the Jewish people and the model of faith.
Trust in The Most High
Trust in divine providence, is another profound approach to hardship. When we experience loss or disappointment, it’s natural to feel angry, anxious, or abandoned. Imagine a person going through a breakup after many years in a relationship. The emotional pain is sharp, and the future feels uncertain. Where is the peace in that? Trust reminds us that, even though we don’t always understand why things happen, there is a higher plan at work. We are not passive victims of random events; everything that happens is woven into a divine plan that, in time, may bring us to a place of growth and understanding. This kind of trust doesn’t eliminate the pain, but it helps transform the sense of chaos into a space where we can surrender some control, knowing that we are being guided.
There are real-life examples of people who have found peace through these ideas. Take someone who went through the loss of a loved one. The grief can be overwhelming, and peace seems impossible in the early stages of mourning. But as time passes, many find solace in the idea that their loved one’s soul is eternal and that they will one day be reunited in a different form. They may turn to prayer, asking G-d for strength, or find comfort in the rituals of mourning, such as sitting shiva with family and friends. Over time, the sense of connection to something larger—be it G-d, the community, or the soul of the loved one—can slowly bring peace, even if the sadness remains.
Another real-world example could be a person struggling with financial hardship. Imagine someone who has lost their business and is overwhelmed by debt. It’s easy to spiral into despair and fear when financial security is shaken. But some people in this position have found peace by embracing gratitude. Instead of focusing on what’s been lost, they begin to count the blessings that remain—health, family, or even the small daily joys that are often overlooked. The practice of gratitude, hakarat hatov, can shift one’s perspective from scarcity to abundance. It doesn’t solve the financial issues, but it creates a sense of inner calm, a reminder that there are still good things in life, and that the hardships are not the entirety of existence.
Community is also a vital source of peace in difficult times. There’s a natural tendency to isolate when we feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges, but do not to separate from others. When someone is facing illness or depression, for example, it’s easy to feel alone in the struggle. But there are countless stories of people who have found peace by reaching out, whether by joining a support group, leaning on family, or simply being part of a synagogue or community. The minyan—the gathering of ten people for prayer—symbolizes the strength that comes from being together. The very act of being surrounded by others can bring peace, even if the problem remains.
Another path to peace during hardship is found in acts of kindness. When we are struggling, our instinct is often to focus inward, but giving outward—helping others—can actually bring us a sense of inner peace. Consider a person who is going through a divorce and feels lost in the pain of separation. That person might find unexpected peace by volunteering at a local charity, helping people who are facing their own struggles. The Talmud says that "One who prays for another, while he himself needs that very thing, is answered first." There is a deep truth in this teaching: by lifting someone else’s burden, we can often find a sense of purpose and peace that lifts our own.
Prayer is another powerful tool for finding peace. Prayer isn’t just about asking for help or blessings; it’s about creating a relationship with G-d. When someone is feeling overwhelmed—whether it’s by illness, a broken relationship, or even a crisis of faith—turning to prayer can be a lifeline. One woman, struggling with the pain of infertility, found peace not by having all her prayers answered immediately, but by regularly talking to G-d about her fears, her hopes, and her pain. The act of prayer helped her feel less alone in her struggle and gave her a sense of inner calm. King David, in the Psalms, often cried out to G-d from places of despair, yet always returned to a sense of hope. Through prayer, we can find that thread of hope, even when the world feels heavy.
Finally, it’s important to make peace with uncertainty itself. Life is full of unknowns, and it’s natural to fear what we don’t control. One person, for example, might be anxious about their health after a frightening diagnosis. The road ahead is unclear, and peace seems distant. But as Rabbi Nachman of Breslov teaches, "The whole world is a very narrow bridge, and the most important thing is not to be afraid." We may not know what the future holds, but that doesn’t mean we have to be paralyzed by fear. By accepting uncertainty as a part of life, we can learn to walk forward, step by step, and find peace in the journey, even if the path is unclear.
Peace in difficult times doesn’t mean the hardships disappear. Rather, it means finding a way to live with resilience, hope, and a deeper sense of connection. Through trust, gratitude, community, kindness, prayer, and acceptance of uncertainty, we can cultivate peace within ourselves, even when the world outside feels chaotic. The Torah gives us the tools to not only survive tough times but to grow through them, and in that growth, peace is often found.
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