Welcome to the daily chizuk (encouragement). Now that we know the extent of Hashem's involvement with our daily lives, we could understand better the words of the Mesillat Yesharim: “Kol inyanei ha'olam, bein letov, bein lemutav, hinei hem nisyonot le'adam.” Every circumstance you find yourself in is really a hand-picked test by Hashem just for you. Sometimes we're in certain places, and we don't know how we ended up there, and it seems like it just happened randomly. It was really all a set-up. You were meant to be there. Sometimes we miss an exit on the highway, or we bump into someone unexpectedly. It was all part of Hashem's plan for you as a test to see how you'll react and do what you're supposed to do in that situation. Hashem gives us tests to elevate ourselves.
The Pasuk (verse) says about Avraham Avinu, “VehaElokim nisa et Avraham.” Hashem tested Avraham. The Midrash explains that the word nisa, which means to test, is the same lashon (expression) as the Pasuk in Tehillim, which says, “nes lehitnoses,” a banner to become uplifted. When you react the proper way, you become an adam hashalem (a greater person). We must constantly remind ourselves: It's a test, it's a test; it's from Hashem.
We know that when David HaMelech was going through very difficult times, his own son was trying to kill him, and he met up with a man by the name of Shimei ben Gera, who was throwing rocks at David and cursed him. David's slaves were ready to kill Shimei for that. David said, “Leave him alone. It's not him; it's really Me'et Hashem (from Hashem).” The Zohar tells us that at that moment, David merited to become the fourth leg of Hashem's heavenly chariot. There was already Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, and now David. He recognized that it's from Hashem, and he didn't lose himself.
We must keep this in mind all day, every day. Hashem is doing this; it's all a test. My wife once had an appointment in the city, and she parked on the street. As she was coming back from the appointment and approaching her car, she noticed there was a ticket on the windshield. She couldn't believe it. She checked the sign before, and it said it was okay to park there. She thought to herself, “I did my hishtadlut (effort). This is all from Hashem. I'm being tested, and I'm not going to let it get to me.” She then opened the ticket and was totally amazed. The ticket said, “This is a test; do not pay.” Unbelievable. It was like Hashem was talking directly to her. This is a test, and so is everything else in life. She kept the ticket as a reminder that Hashem is always behind the scenes testing us, hoping we're going to react the right way and become better people. If anyone wants to see this ticket, it's attached to today's email. Have a great day.