Welcome to the Daily Chizuk. Rabbi Ephraim Waxman said over in the name of the Vilna Gaon that even though we know everything comes from Hashem, there is one sickness that does not, and that is atzvut, sadness. This, he says, a person brings upon himself. If Hashem gives a person a challenge in life, He wants the person to overcome it with joy. Only a person who lives without emunah (faith) has atzvut, because getting down and being worried are the physical manifestations of a lack of emunah. Nobody wants to be sad; it's dangerous, it's destructive. But it's up to us. We have the ability to be happy in all situations at all times. How do we do it? We have to constantly remind ourselves of two basic, fundamental principles of emunah. Number one: Hashem is in control, and everything that happens to us is all from Hashem, and no one else has any power. Number two: Hashem only wants to do the very best thing for you. Whether you understand it or not, Hashem is helping. If this were ingrained in us, we would never get upset. Hashem just caused this; it's for my best.
The rabbi gave a mashal (parable) to explain. Imagine there was a very wealthy businessman running a large corporation, and he had a son whom he wanted to bring into the business. So he tells all of his workers that he's bringing his son in and that they should give him a rough time. He tells them, “Send him every problem, point out to him all of his mistakes, and through this he'll learn the business.” Now the son comes in with his degree and confidence after studying all about the business. But wherever he turns, there are problems. This thing is going the wrong way. That one's not cooperating. This one's giving him a hard time. He starts thinking to himself, “What in the world is going on? I was so prepared.” But the truth is, his father is controlling everything. His father knew exactly which problem would come to him today, which guy would cause his son trouble. He knows why everything was done, what the purpose was. Everything was completely controlled. But it's more than that. It's controlled by his father, who loves him so much and only wants to see his benefit.
Hashem is controlling every aspect of our lives, and His love for us is endless. Hashem loves us more than we love Him. He loves us more than we could ever possibly love ourselves, and He only wants to see our success. The whole reason we were created was just to receive good from Hashem and get close to Him. He wants us to have the best chance to receive all of that good. If we would think about this, we would feel so secure. Every move and motion in our lives is being planned by the one who loves us more than anything. The next time you're ready to get upset or agitated, stop, relax, and think: “Hashem is in control; it's for my best.” These are soothing thoughts, and besides for just taking away the stress, it's such a powerful Avodah (service). Realizing that Hashem is behind everything and accepting His will is such a Zechut (merit). It elevates the person spiritually. The Ramban writes that when you have these thoughts, you become davuk baKadosh Baruch Hu (Holy One, blessed be He)—you cling to Hashem. All we have to do is constantly remind ourselves over and over, until it fully becomes a part of us. Have a great day.