How to Navigate Life Through Tough Times? 7 Tips to Empower You

1. Things will get better (and this isn’t a cliché).
Reality teaches us that life’s valleys eventually pass, and most difficulties do not last forever. Believe that the current situation is temporary and better times will come. Optimism and hope for a brighter future are essential tools that provide the strength to overcome hardship.

2. Talk about it.
Don’t carry your pain alone. Share and speak with friends and loved ones; consult with rabbis. Let it out a little—it will make you feel much better. As King Solomon, the wisest of men, said: “Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad” (Proverbs 12:25). Prayer is also an integral part of this process. Speak to the Creator of the world, pour your heart out, and plead with tears for Him to save you from your situation. After such genuine prayer, believe with all your heart that it was accepted and that salvation is on its way.

3. Adopt a perspective of faith.
This is not easy, which is why it’s recommended to regularly listen to inspiring talks on faith that can empower you and remind you to see life through the lens of faith. Understand that everything is under divine supervision and ultimately for your benefit—even if you don’t understand how just yet. The true way to deal with difficulties is through faith. Knowing that everything happens for a reason, that nothing is by chance or bad luck but part of a well-designed path tailored for the soul’s rectification, brings comfort, eliminates the “why me?” question, and helps us realize that from this hardship will be eternal good.

4. Have some fun.
Instead of constantly turning over your problems in your mind, keep yourself busy with things that bring you joy. Join a new class—photography, cooking, art, carpentry, etc. Do fun activities such as finally organizing your photo album, meeting friends, starting a new hobby, exercising, reading good books, or redecorating your bedroom.

5. Don’t be a constant complainer.
As real as the difficulty may be—and it's understandable if it currently occupies your attention—remind yourself of all the good in your life. Rejoice in the blessings and gifts in your life; nothing should be taken for granted.

6. A powerful lesson from Rabbi Yitzchak Fanger: He shared a story about a man with a disability who was also a well-known motivational speaker. Standing in front of an audience, the man said, “If I fall, I won’t be able to get up on my own.” Then he told them he was going to do just that—he let himself fall to the floor and lay there, completely still. Looking up at the crowd, he asked, “If you fall, what will help you get back up? What will carry you through a crisis?” Slowly, he began to crawl toward something he could hold on to, and little by little, he managed to lift himself up. Then, in that powerful moment, he looked out and said, “Remember—if I could get up, so can you.”

Rabbi Fanger emphasized: “Life gives people hard knocks, but what happens next is up to them—how they choose to deal with their current situation.” How does one rise from hardship? He explained with this story: A Hasidic rabbi arrived at a frozen lake with his students. They asked him, ‘How will we cross a frozen lake?’ The rabbi told them to watch him. He crossed safely to the other side. When they asked how he didn’t slip, he gave a profound reply: ‘He who is connected above, does not slip below.’

The connection to faith in G-d is what gives a person the strength not to fall during times of crisis.

7. Trust in G-d’s salvation.
Rabbi Yigal Cohen writes in his book “Yagel Libi B’Yeshuatecha” encouraging words for those facing life’s challenges—finding a spouse, financial hardship, infertility, or health struggles:

Finding a spouse – “If you haven’t yet found your soulmate and it's hard, know this: the Creator wants you to find your soulmate even more than you do. This test was decreed by His divine wisdom, to see whether your love for Him remains even during this time. Stay strong, for G-d has not forgotten you, and His love for you is limitless. Lift your eyes to Him, continue praying, persist in your trust, and your salvation is very near.”

Financial hardship – “To you, dear Jew, undergoing the test of poverty—which our Sages said is the hardest of all—remember our forefather Abraham, who when descending to Egypt was so poor he had to eat on credit. Yet he didn’t question G-d’s ways or lose faith in Him, and when he left Egypt, he did so with great wealth. Know that G-d can give you wealth and abundance in a moment. This is your test—don’t break in spirit. Show G-d you follow in Abraham’s footsteps, whose greatness was measured in times of distress, and G-d will deliver you in the blink of an eye.”

Infertility – “If you have not yet been blessed with children, remember that our nation began with Sarah, who was barren. Why did G-d choose to start such a great nation through a barren woman? To teach us that nothing is too difficult for G-d. Reflect on the blessings He has already given you, see His love for you, continue to trust in Him wholeheartedly, and believe He will fulfill your heart’s desire. Even if doctors are not encouraging, remember—G-d is not dependent on any external factor. True salvation is in His hands alone.”

Health struggles – “To you, dear Jew, undergoing a health challenge and wondering daily, ‘From where will my help come?’—know that just as G-d commands bacteria to enter the body at a certain time, He can command them to leave. As it says (Deuteronomy 32:39), ‘I wound and I heal.’ The more you strengthen your faith in G-d's ability to heal you, the faster salvation will arrive. Lift your eyes to your Father in Heaven and pray from the depths of your heart—for He is the source of your help.”