Hold On! The Universal Rule
Meshivat Nefesh #28
Sometimes I’m convinced that no one has ever gone through the kinds of challenges that I’ve had to face, especially in my Divine service. Rebbe Nachman himself reassured his students, though, that every kind of obstacle imaginable besets everyone who sincerely seeks closeness to God. My challenges might be my own, but the reality of there being challenges is universal.
Rebbe Nachman then took a very personal tone and said, “If, during my younger years, I had had even one person encourage me and tell me that the obstacles I faced were common to everyone seeking God, it would have empowered me to an unimaginable degree. You must know that all of the tzaddikim and every Godfearing person has gone through similar passages. Hang in there!”
Merciful One,
Please help me to remember
that the path to You is necessarily rocky.
Fill my heart with courage and patience
and comfort me with the knowledge
that everyone who has earnestly sought You
has passed through the same rough road.
(Based on Likutey Moharan II:48)