Small tidbits and Sparks of wisdom

A disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin once spent Rosh Hashanah with his Rebbe. During the visit, he offered the following prayer: “Please, God, allow me to earn enough for my weekly needs early in the week, even if it means I may earn less money overall. This way, I will have the peace of mind to devote the rest of the week to my Torah studies.”

The next day, when the disciple came to take leave, the Chozeh told him: “Yesterday your prayer caused amusement in Heaven. Do you really think the few rubles you are willing to forgo make a significant difference? Do you think God lacks money to give, or that He is, Heaven forbid, limited? And as for the peace of mind you seek — who says God wants you to serve Him only under ideal conditions? Perhaps He wants you to learn, pray, and perform mitzvos while under pressure and stress. The holiness that comes from overcoming difficulty brings even greater satisfaction before Heaven than smooth devotion under ease.”

The Lesson

This story illustrates a profound truth: every moment of a person’s life is divinely measured and ideally suited for his soul’s growth. To wish to be someone else, somewhere else, or in different circumstances is to misunderstand Providence. God does not want us to wait for “better times” to live fully; He desires that we make the most of the present moment, second by second, as time moves forward.

Just as the body cannot ignore hunger without harm, the soul cannot ignore its present call. To delay spiritual growth until life becomes smoother is to waste the opportunities hidden within struggle. Greatness does not blossom only in comfort; often it emerges in difficulty, where faith and perseverance shine most brightly.

Prayer and Struggle

One may and should pray for relief — whether for healing, livelihood, or peace of mind. But until those prayers are answered, the obligation remains to serve God fully within one’s present condition. A person in pain, stress, or financial limitation must strive to rise to the challenge of that very state. Often, the hardships we would rather avoid are the exact corrections our souls require in this limited time on earth.

Light in Darkness

The true test is not to escape hardship, but to transform it into holiness. God takes satisfaction not only in our success but in the struggle itself — in how we overcome burdens, create light in darkness, and find Him in moments of uncertainty.

Takeaway

Do not wait until life is perfect to grow. The present moment — with its pain, pressure, and flaws — is the exact arena where God wants you to serve Him.