When we are faced with sorrows, we call out and turn to Hashem and His Torah, as David HaMelech stated, “Tzarah v’yagon emtza u’v’sheim Hashem ekra–I will find troubles and sorrows, and I will call out in Hashem’s name” (T’hilim 117:13). When everything is going well, it is easy to turn to Hashem and thank Him for His goodness. The real test comes when we run into rough waters. How we do react to yisurin – life’s difficulties? We turn straight to Hashem!
The Chazon Ish zt”l (Emunah and Bitachon, Chapter 2) says that difficulties do not come by accident. They were decreed from Heaven. One who has bitachon (trust in Hashem) realizes this and turns to Him. He pours out his heart in t’filah (prayer). This is the hallmark of a Jew. This is what keeps us alive.
We must also remember to act with extreme compassion to others as they face challenges. We need to daven for others and demand that whatever suffering our friend is going through must stop immediately.
There is a famous story told of The Baal Shem Tov’s wife, who was once combing the knotted hair of an orphan child, who had been badly neglected. The little girl cried from the discomfort. The Baal Shem Tov quietly passed by and went on with his day. This was held against him in Heaven. There was no injustice in the story, so what was wrong with the Baal Shem Tov’s actions? From here we can learn that we must feel the pain of our fellow Jew. If we see another person suffering, we should do whatever is in our power to ease the pain.