What Makes Us Stronger…
Just as a plant outdoors that withstands the extremes and stress of weather, in heat, cold, and wind, tends to grow stronger than a nursery-bred variety, we are the same. Yet, we need to balance this stress with self-care and mindfulness to prevail.
Never in our lifetime have Americans been under such pressure, so it is not surprising that many are struggling with their mental health and sense of well-being. This is not a condemnation, but rather an observation; and whole families being together can either find their situation stressful or an opportunity to deepen their bonds and habits of faith.
It could be interesting to study people who have had fewer life challenges–and such metric analyses do exist—who might have greater difficulty in coping versus folks who have had a life of greater struggle. Similarly, the scales of religiosity may hold revealing correlations as well.
Our Quranic Guidance
We are reminded in Surah al-Ankabut (29:2), “Do the people think that they will be left to say, ‘We believe’ and they will not be tried?” and in Surah al-Baqarah (2:214), “Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched with poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, ‘When is the help of Allah?’ Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.”
A Solution for Strong Families
These remind us that trials, like the Coronavirus, may be the very thing that could help us in the end. It depends on what mindset we have, and for this reason, we are very pleased to announce that @define360 and @amuslimmamacomics are initiating a special online community for parents called Salam Family, which will launch April 15th. https://define360.online/
Salam Family will provide a Parent Support Community with monthly themes from which to learn and grow. It will feature Monday-Friday daily 15-minute Islamic Guided Practices and weekly 30 minutes with expert-led lectures, story times, and family arts time. Learn more and join us!
Respecting Allah’s Plan
Meanwhile, not to make light of people’s suffering, for that is a harsh reality; but let’s remember that even in adversity there is some bit of hope and need to respect Allah’s Plan. We must have grit, faith, and fortitude, and inculcating these in our families is among the most noble of deeds.
Surah al-Baqarah (2:214), “… it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.”
