HOW WE BECOME STRONGER WHEN WE ARE FACED WITH DIFFICULT TIMES IN LIFE

EXPLAIN HOW WE BECOME
STRONGER WHEN WE ARE
FACED WITH DIFFICULT

TIMES IN LIFE



NURJEHAH AQILA BINTI MOHAMAD NOOR
PPISMP1.05

NURJEHAH AQILA BINTI MOHAMAD NOOR

Explain how we become stronger when we are faced with difficult times in life

Nowadays, people experience all kinds of difficult times in
their new normal life. The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-
19) is profoundly affecting lives around the globe. While there
is no way to avoid sorrow, adversity, or distress in life, there
are processes that can make us become stronger. Lately, the
world seems to be lurching from one crisis to another. We have experienced a global
pandemic, dramatic changes to how we conduct our daily lives, economic uncertainty, and
political and social turmoil, as well as an array of natural disasters. We run into obstacles in
life that make it difficult to stay afloat. Whether it is the loss of a loved one or financial
problems, everyone has gone through hardships. Then, there are personal traumas that
people are also dealing with, such as the loss of a loved one, declining health, unemployment,
divorce, violent crime, or tragic accidents. It can leave us feeling helpless and overwhelmed
by stress and anxiety. For many of us, this is a time of unprecedented struggle and upheaval
to ourselves. Personally, we must realize it is part of our process. For example, we will practice
acceptance with fate and we can do something that can improve our life. So how do we
become stronger when we are faced with difficult times in life?

When we are faced with difficult times in life, we have to always
focus on the positive emotions because people who have plenty
of them in their everyday lives tend to be strong, happier,
healthier, and get along well with others. When we feel more
positive emotions than negative ones, difficult situations are easier to handle. It will build our
resilience, also broaden our awareness and let us see more options for problem solving.
Furthermore, the mindset is the most crucial thing which is to always be motivated and positive
so according to Tony Dungy who is a sports analyst and former American football safety and
coach, said “Your mind is more powerful than you think. What is down in the well comes up in
the bucket. Fill yourself with positive things.” If we always stay positive then the positivity also
will come into our life. The conclusion is that when we face the hard times our natural emotion
will be sadness, however, don’t let our hard times define our emotions but We have learned
to be happy even during the worst times, indeed we can feel the positive control of our life.
So, if we face a difficult time we must pretend and make something that cheers us up like
spending ‘me time’ or listening to the Quran.

NURJEHAH AQILA BINTI MOHAMAD NOOR

After that, when we face a difficult time, connecting with friends and
family can help ease stress and make sense of all the change and
disruption. Instead of feeling like we are facing our problems alone,
we can draw strength and move from having others to lean on. Based
on my reading of the article Help Guide: Surviving Tough Times, In
spite of whatever we are feeling, going through, or grieving, just
remember that there’s someone else in the world going through the same hardship or more
worst. So, we are never alone in our thoughts and feelings. Hence, we need to surround
ourselves with positive people who can encourage us to get back up once we have been
knocked down by a difficult time. Their positivity and optimism will give us the motivation and
confidence that we need to be strong in our life. So we must think that we are not alone to
face this hard time because we have Allah, family and members that can help us to face our
difficult time. In this situation we must be motivated and positive and also our mental health
will become stronger.

In addition, we need to get organized and know the process after
we have gone through hard times. By creating a plan for our
future based on what we have learned from our mistakes like
practicing the quarantine and social distancing. After we put our
effort we must tawakkul which means that we rely on God with
all our heart and this very reliance gives us the strength to take proper action, even in
circumstances when we feel it is humanly impossible to go on. A great illustration of tawakkul
from the times of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the battle of Uhud. This was a battle
where the Muslims were harshly defeated, and their enemies, after leaving the battleground,
decided to return and inflict even greater harm on them. According to the Quran (3:120-129),
when the Muslims were informed of this, those who possessed strong faith were untouched
by fear in the dangerous situation they were in, having lost most of their army. On the contrary,
relying on God and seeking assistance from the power of their faith, they increased their
steadfastness and resistance. As a result, once the victorious enemies were informed of the
remaining Muslim’s resolve, they quickly changed their minds and retreated. On the other
hand, This is simple, motivating and all the small steps that you are taking will eventually lead
you back to your large undertaking.

The conclusion is that if we face a difficult time, we have to always focus on the positive
emotions and thinking, connecting with friends and family and we need to get organized and
know the process and tawakkul. It is the source that inspires hope, contentment with divine
decree, and confidence during all times and situations, particularly during moments of fear
and difficulty. We must not give up easily but think how to cope and solve our problems. By
going through hard times with families, we have learned how the best mind set helps people
to find strength in hard times. Nobody gets through life without losing someone they love,
someone they need, or something they wished for. Remember, these are the losses that make
us stronger and eventually move us toward happiness and future growth as an individual.
Another idea to become stronger is an important part of building resilience and getting through
times of great stress like investing in self-care. When your body feels strong and healthy so,
too, will your mind. Investing in self-care is good, such as getting enough sleep, relaxing with
remembrance and getting exercise 3 times in a week. Lastly, the greatest quote I heard is “We
must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope.” – Martin Luther King,
Jr was an American Baptist minister and activist.

NURJEHAH AQILA BINTI MOHAMAD NOOR

REFERENCES

Alton, L. (2019, June 28). 7 Practical Tips to Achieve a Positive Mindset. SUCCESS.
https://www.success.com/7-practical-tips-to-achieve-a-positive-mindset/

In Hardship and in Ease: How to Rely on God | Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research.
(2019). Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. https://yaqeeninstitute.org/read/paper/in-
hardship-and-in-ease-how-to-rely-on-god

Mindful Mindset. (2019). How going through hard times makes you stronger. Mindful Mindset.
https://mindfulmindset.life/blogs/articles/how-going-through-hard-times-makes-you-stronger

Royse, M. (2020, October 14). Hard Times Can Make You Stronger and More Successful | 5
Minute Sweet Spot. Medium; 5 Minute Sweet Spot. https://medium.com/5-minute-sweet-
spot/hard-times-can-make-you-stronger-and-more-successful-f1fcd90b7af

YouAlberta. (2015, February 25). We Are Not Alone - YouAlberta - Medium. Medium;
YouAlberta. https://medium.com/youalberta/we-are-not-alone-4b44c6f0e9f9

OPTIONB.ORG What to Do When Your Family Is Struggling. (2018). Greater Good.
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_to_do_when_your_family_is_struggling

Justin Parrott How to be a Mindful Muslim: An Exercise in Islamic Meditation | Yaqeen Institute
for Islamic Research. (2019). Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research.
https://yaqeeninstitute.org/read/paper/how-to-be-a-mindful-muslim-an-exercise-in-islamic-
meditation