Message for Friday - Growth comes via tests

إذا أحب الله عبدا ابتلاه

Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) said, "When G'd loves a servant, He tests him."

Many have asked the question to G'd, "Why me? What have I done to deserve this?"

When a calamity visits, people tend to view it as a punishment. A calamity can be a punishment, but it can also be a time for growth. G'd allows us the opportunity for inward growth via tests.

When a weighlifter grows in muscle mass, he/she must increase the weight in which is lifted. The increasement of weight will initially seem like an incredible burden, causing muscle burning due to lactic acid build up. Over time, however, the weightlifter's muscles make the appropriate physiological adjustments and muscle mass increases, which causes the once heavy weight to feel ligther.

The spiritual and intellectual weight that affect humans in life increases pyschological strength when coupled with faith and patience.

وَعَسَى أَنْ تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ وَعَسَى أَنْ تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَكُمْ

G'd says in the Qur'an (2:216):
[A}and perhaps you may dislike a thing, but it is good for you. And perhaps you may love a thing, but it is bad for you.

And surely G'd knows best.