How Everyday Frustrations Can Build Unshakable Faith

They say every penny counts, and so does every small moment of faith. Every minor inconvenience, every little frustration, every flicker of anger during the day is an opportunity. These are not rare events — they happen constantly. Each one is a chance to practice a deeper trust, a moment to strengthen the very essence of faith, which is described as the power belt of the Messiah himself: “Righteousness will be the belt around his waist, and faith the belt around his loins” (Isaiah 11:5).

By collecting these moments, one by one, we can build up an enormous account of spiritual victories over life’s daily challenges and irritations.

Become a Smart Investor — in Faith

How many times do we lose our temper at our children because of a lack of faith? At times, it can escalate to physical reactions or verbal outbursts. Some parents — unintentionally — shout terrifying phrases like “Get out and don’t come back!” Tragically, there are real stories where such words came true. These reactions often stem from resistance to accepting the emotional pain that comes with raising children — a struggle decreed from above, not a random burden.

How often do we get angry or disappointed over something we bought that didn’t meet our expectations? Perhaps an item of clothing or a product looked perfect in the store but turned out wrong. Or we realize later it was cheaper elsewhere and blame ourselves for not checking. Or we see a similar item owned by a friend and wish we had chosen that one instead. The classic “grass is always greener” syndrome takes over, leaving us dissatisfied with what we have.

Without faith, we spiral into frustration, completely forgetting that everything — including these small missteps — are part of a bigger, divine plan. As Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein explained: just as we believe that God alone created the world, we must also believe that He alone continues to run it. Not just in the past, but here, now, and always.

Even the smallest slip-ups such as a forgotten item, a wrong address, a second trip to the same location, are under divine supervision. Even if we forget details when speaking to a friend and feel regret or embarrassment, we must accept that this, too, is the will of the Creator. True faith means letting go of resistance and choosing not to question God’s direction, even in the tiniest details.

Trusting in Delays, Disappointments, and Everyday Setbacks

How many times have we waited for service providers who canceled last-minute, showed up late, or overcharged us, leaving us disappointed and taken advantage of? And still, we’re expected to hold back our frustration and not turn it against God.

These types of tests are so frequent that we barely notice them, and because they’re so common, even believers tend to dismiss their significance. That's exactly the challenge: to recognize that what we often call “coincidence” or “bad luck” is actually orchestrated for a purpose. It takes a conscious, consistent effort to break away from the illusion of randomness and anchor our perspective in trust.

Every moment of self-control, every pause before reacting, every act of letting go instead of lashing out, adds to your personal spiritual portfolio. These aren't just small wins, they’re eternal ones.

A Painful Bump? Or a Test of Trust?

Consider a simple example: someone accidentally slams a table onto your finger or steps on your foot. You know it wasn’t intentional, but you still flare up, maybe even lash out in anger. Why? Because it’s easier to get angry when there’s someone to blame. If you accidentally hurt yourself, the pain is the same, yet you don’t react with the same rage, because there’s no one else to hold responsible.

This reveals a basic truth about human nature: we instinctively seek someone to blame. Even when we know the other person didn’t mean to hurt us, we grab hold of the flimsiest excuse just to unload our anger. This is the default state of someone who hasn’t yet built a mindset of faith — they cling to apparent causes and visible circumstances, even when their logic tells them otherwise.

Every Drop Adds Up: The Power of Inner Restraint

Every small act of self-restraint, every choice to remain calm, to let go of anger, to stay silent instead of snapping, adds up. Each one is another spiritual investment that builds up over time. This is the truest form of success in this world: moments that may seem minor, but yield eternal dividends.

As my late father-in-law beautifully illustrated: "It’s like someone looking through a keyhole into a room. All he can see is a pen writing on paper. From his limited view, it seems as if the pen is writing by itself. But if you open the door, you see the person holding the pen. That’s the difference between a non-believer and a believer. The non-believer thinks nature acts on its own. The believer sees the hand behind it all — the Divine Writer guiding every movement. The people and events we encounter are just pens in His hand." (Michtav M’Eliyahu, Vol. 1, p. 177)

Let’s open the door. Let’s live with open eyes and full hearts, knowing that nothing is random. Not the frustrations, not the delays, not even the forgotten keys or stubbed toes. Each moment is an invitation to faith, and every moment of faith is priceless.