The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah) comments that before Moshe Rabbenu left this world, he made one request: he asked that Hashem open the gates of heaven and show people with perfect clarity that אין עוד מלבדו - there is nothing in the world other than Hashem. If a person is able to live with the knowledge that everything we see is just a mirage, that in reality Hashem is behind everything that transpires, then he will enjoy peace of mind and the ability to focus on the important things in life. Emunah gives us the freedom from fear of other people, so we do not waste our time and energy trying to impress and flatter, as we realize that everything is from Hashem, that nobody can give us even a penny if Hashem does not want us to have it, and nobody can take away even a penny if Hashem wants us to have it. With emunah, we will never be afraid of anything, because we know that each and every situation that arises in life is a manifestation of Hashem's will, and thus it is all good and done out of genuine love.
Emunah allows us to achieve the happiness we all desire. A woman told me that by strengthening her emunah, she cured her depression and no longer needs medication. Another woman told me that several weeks ago her husband came home on Friday afternoon and told her that somebody cheated him out of a large amount of money. Here initial reaction would have been to explode with rage, but because of her emunah, she calmly told her husband, "Don't worry - this, too, is for the best. It's all from Hashem. Nobody can touch our money."
Her husband was at first taken aback by his wife's apathetic response, but after thinking about it for a while, he agreed. He became calm, and they enjoyed a beautiful Shabbat together. No one in the family could tell that there was anything wrong. The woman felt very proud that her emunah allowed her to maintain her peace of mind and the aura of tranquility in the home.
It's very simple: in every situation, we must remember that אין עוד מלבדו - it is all from Hashem.
A man told me that his wife hadn't slept in three days because of her overbearing pangs of guilt. A shidduch was proposed, and their son was very interested in meeting the girl. The parents, however, wanted some more time to think things over, as there was a certain issue that caused some uncertainty. They eventually decided to go ahead with the shidduch, but by the time they called the shadchan, it was too late. The other family was unhappy about the delay and was no longer interested. The mother felt she ruined her son's chances for a good match, and was beset by harsh feelings of guilt.
"Nonsense," I told them. "You were putting in your effort like any parent would. You don't have to feel guilty. If the other party turned it down, this is because that is what Hashem wanted. We must always do what we feel is correct, and if there is still a chance to pursue the shidduch , then we must continue trying. But once there is no more hishtadlut that we can do, then we thank Hashem for doing what was best for us, and then move on. It might appear as though we caused the problem, but this is just a mirage.
אין עוד מלבדו. Everything is from Hashem. The clearer we understand this, the happier we will be.