Inevitable Paths

What are the things, that no matter how much you try to mitigate and pray that they will not happen, will eventually come? If there is one common life lesson that I am thankful for, and firmly believe in, but somehow easily forgotten, it is that life and tests are inevitable. It sets your life view and expectations.

The verse "We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure"  is not meant to make us fearful of life, discouraged and disheartened. It is meant to make us prepared. That no matter what you choose to embark in be it ideas, jobs, commitments, relationships, goals and targets; tests, challenges or mistakes are guaranteed. 

It takes away the delusional idea of happily ever after in this life. It makes you forgive people more. It teaches you to expect less from others and even from yourself. It stops you from wanting to live as anyone else because you are not built for the kind of test that others have to go through. We are guaranteed of flawed journeys far before we had to experience them. So on days when the tests and challenges become apparent, we can hopefully say, "I am going through what God has promised me." If it makes us feel better, we are also promised that "Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear " and my favourite verse of all time, "So verily, with every hardship there is ease. Verily, with every hardship, there is ease.”

Before anyone else, I need this reminder for myself for how I have not been acting like someone which such a life view. I am overly critical of any mistakes, deeply afraid of making the wrong choices, burdened by the slightest pressure. I feel stuck when I realised that in any paths I choose to step my foot in, I will have to face unwanted circumstances. I see tests and challenges like they will eat the soul out of me. As if one who has not been warned, as if I cannot see it coming. When did I become such a comfort seeker? 

But perhaps, this is my test. 

Slowly, what I need to realise is that although I can mitigate some forthcoming life challenges, I can avoid some mistakes in life, I still cannot foresee the kind of challenge that has been set my way, I cannot be attached to the idea of perfection and smooth sail for their non-existent. This life is an individual test that I am not supposed to win against anyone but myself. It is temporary and so I should not act as if I will live this life for another 100 years. So instead of trying hard to avoid "mistakes" and unwanted trials, shouldn't I equip myself with how to overcome them instead?

Inevitably, no matter how many times I question it and sometimes get frustrated by myself for keep on questioning it, I still can only find one answer to make sense of this life; I am made to serve my God and to give my best to the lives around me.

May we continue to remember our eternal purpose so we don't get too heartbroken over this comfort of illusion even when it is not easy.