With hardship, comes ease

Tonight, my mind and soul feel so weary; a burden of the mind and the spirit that makes me seek solace in God's words:

"With every hardship, comes ease. Verily, with hardship comes ease." (Chapter 94; verses 5-6)

This refrain, echoed twice, stress upon the sometimes "hidden" blessings within a given burden or hardship. In the ordinary words of mortals, "In every dark cloud, there is a silver lining." Sometimes, we are too weary, too burnt out, too depressed to see that "ease", that silver lining. After all, when surrounded by darkness, it is not easy to "see." Usually, we understand the "ease" afterwards and therefore make the mistake that the ease comes after hardship. But note the stress in the refrain of the word "with" which indicates that the ease comes hand-in-hand with the hardship. (Once again, the duality that I was discussing in an earlier note kicks in.)

The Mercy of God is that He does not give us the hardship without providing its relief at the same time.There are so many examples in my life of these incidents of hardship and ease going hand in hand. But the most recent is the really lovely friends I had like Bahar, Nicole, and Rocio who helped me last week when I was struck by a strong migraine. Yet it is not always that obvious, when probably one is driven to the edge such that one raises up one's face to the Heavens to ask "Where is the ease promised?"

When that happens, God answers, "Ah! Verily, the help of God is (always) near!" (Chapter 2; verse 214)

I am reminded of the famous Christian poem, "Footprints in the Sand" which indicates how little awareness do we have of God that His presence in those times of hardship, easing our burdens, is totally not felt. It is thus, for a believer of the Creator (no matter which religion), that faith must be entwined with hope. Hope that He will continue to provide ease, even when we're not aware of it. To be be hopeless is to lose faith in that eternal promise of twining of ease with hardship, to lose faith in God's help and mercy. Without that hope and faith, life becomes meaningless and it is easy to give up. Perhaps that is why people can be driven to suicide, perhaps because they can see no exit out of the darkness surrounding them. I continue to read chapter 94 which states:

"Hence, when you are freed [from distress], remain steadfast...and unto your Sustainer, turn with love." (Chapter 94; verses 7-8)

and am heartened for love is the basis of all these...hardship, ease and the promise of freedom from the hardship springs from His love for us, and all the reciprocity He asked for is for us to remain steadfast and love Him back. Why do I say that the hardship springs from His love? For He says:

"Every human being is bound to taste death; and We test you [all] through the bad and the good [things of life] by way of trial: and unto Us you all must return." (Chapter 21; verse 35)

Hardship is a form of test for us and our hearts, to distinguish our level of faith, to help us get closer to Him.

"And most certainly We shall try you all, so that We might mark out those of you who strive hard [in Our cause] and are patient in adversity: for We shall put to a test [the truth of] all your assertions." (Chapter 47; verse 31)

"...It is they whose hearts God has tested [and opened] to consciousness of Himself; [and] theirs shall be forgiveness and a reward supreme." (Chapter 49; 3)

After all these, I think I can no longer bemoan my current burden but must struggle to accept, strive hard, and be patient for I know He is near, even if I do not feel His presence at the moment.