Divine Test in Hard and Easy Times
Religious teachings introduce these hardships as divine tests and warn the man to always be patient and grateful for these tests in order to successfully overcome these challenges.
Ayatollah Mohsen Faghihi, a seminary teacher, has addressed the issue by interpreting a few verses of the Holy Quran.
“We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, and decrease of goods, life and fruits. Give glad tidings to the patient,” [2:155] and this shows that tests are a certain issue in the life and all people will face them. Of course, this test has various reasons and its main goal is the spiritual development of humans. Man's position in the world rises with tests that also affect one’s spiritual and eternal destiny.
These tests take different forms as they sometimes target one’s wealth and sometimes one’s health. God has provided rewards for these tests but this reward is not ordinary, and according to this verse and many other verses, the reward of those who endure hardships is incalculable: “Say: 'My worshipers who believe, fear your Lord. For those who do good in this world there is good and the earth of Allah is wide surely, those who are patient will be recompensed in full without count.” [39:10]
Sometimes God tests man with comforts such as position and wealth to see whether he/she praises or forgets God in such a situation. So we should either stand in the group of the patient or the grateful.
If one practices patience in certain cases, he/she cannot be considered patient. The attribute of patience must penetrate into his character.
These are all reasons to test man in life to find out which path he/she chooses and whether they are patient and grateful or not.
The Position of Patience and Thankfulness
One of the divine tests is the position that God offers to man in the world; “It is He who has made you caliphs in the earth and raised some of you in rank above others, so that He might try you in what He has given you. Swift is your Lord in retribution; yet He is Forgiving, Merciful.” [6:165] When one reaches a political and managerial position, he/she should take care as these positions are for testing; they have been given the power to see what they do for the people.
Therefore, we must prepare ourselves for the divine tests and know that we are being tested in every decision and behavior. Being grateful increases blessings. And many blessings are awaiting those who are patient. “And when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks, I will increase you, but, if you are unthankful My punishment is indeed stern." [14:7]
