Caught in the Dark?
Read this before you give up!
Have you ever felt like you’re lost in a never-ending darkness, with no light at the end of the tunnel?
When life feels like it’s nothing but darkness, and each day seems harder than the last, it’s easy to think about giving up.
But remember, the darkest moment is just before the sunrise. There’s hope even when you can’t see it.
By the end of this article, you’ll discover practical strategies to face the challenges that weigh you down and find your way back to the light.
So, keep reading — this might be exactly what you need to navigate through the toughest times. The dawn is closer than you think.
- Embrace your Problems:
We all face problems from time to time, and it’s natural to want them to just go away.
When a problem feels too big and keeps you up at night, it can be really tough.
I know how difficult it feels because I have been there.
When I was a teenager, I was going through a very difficult phase in my life. I came across a story in a book where a man was complaining to a friend about how difficult life was and how many problems he had.
The friend listened and then said, “I know a place where no one has problems. Do you want to go there?”
The man eagerly agreed.
The next day, the friend took him to a graveyard and said, “Here’s where no one has any problems.”
When I read that, it was a big “aha” moment for me.
Problems are part of life, and they’re here to stay as long as we’re alive.
I believe problems don’t end even after we die.
As a Muslim, I believe there’s eternal life waiting for us. In that life, we’ll face an even greater challenge — answering to God for our deeds, good and bad. That’s a much bigger problem than anything we deal with here.
So, Problems are a constant part of life. The sooner we accept this, the better off we’ll be.
Let me give some more examples.
When you’re single, it feels like a problem. You see others enjoying their relationships, and you feel alone and lonely.
Then you get married or start a relationship, and now there’s a bigger problem. You struggle to adjust, and instead of being crazy about your partner, you feel like they’re driving you crazy.
If you don’t have a baby, that’s a problem. When you do, a new set of problems begins. The baby needs constant care, and when they grow up, they drive you nuts with their mischief. Then comes the issue of schooling, which requires money.
Meanwhile, you notice your partner isn’t supporting you, and the attraction fades. You complain and consider separation. But what about the child? You can’t stay with your partner, but you can’t stay alone either. See how one problem leads to another?
Here are few more. Not having a job is a problem, but so is having a job that doesn’t fulfil you. You decide to start a business, and it’s a whole new series of problems — capital, staff, sales, marketing, and the list goes on.
Many people think money will solve all their problems. To some extent, that’s true, but it’s only partially true.
The problems don’t disappear; they just change.
When you’re poor, lack of money is the problem.
When you’re rich, different problems arise — like insurance agents constantly calling, or relatives asking for loans. You even have to pay more in taxes.
If you don’t have food, that’s a problem. But when you’re wealthy, you have so many options in your fridge that you’re confused about what to cook. Not being able to decide is a problem too, isn’t it?
So, the first thing is to get used to having problems.
Instead of asking God to end them, pray for better problems. Because if you ask for no problems, God might just ask you to leave this world and come back.
Once you accept this truth, life gets easier.
And remember, if God gave you some problems, He also gave you the strength to solve them.
Allah says in Qur’an, “Allah doesn’t burden a soul more than it can bear.”
Al- Qur’an 2:286
So, if you have a problem, it means you have the strength to handle it. The bigger the problem, the stronger you’ll become once you solve it.
Think of problems like dumbbells at the gym. The heavier they are, the stronger you’ll get when you lift them.
So, accept that you can solve your problems. Believe in yourself!
2. Find the Good in Your Problems:
When you face a setback, such as missing out on a job promotion, it might initially feel like a major blow.
However, this situation can be a chance for growth. It might prompt you to develop new skills, seek additional training, or explore different career paths that align more closely with your passions.
Walt Disney once said, “You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”
Sometimes, setbacks redirect us to opportunities we wouldn’t have discovered otherwise.
The point I’m making is that there’s always something good in every problem. You just need to take a moment to find it.
Allah says in Quran, “And 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.”
Al-Qur’an 2:216
Let me give you a few examples.
If your wife argues with you and complains that you’re not giving her enough time, that’s actually a good sign.
It shows she cares about you and values your attention. It also means she’s not involved with anyone else. If she were, she probably wouldn’t be complaining, right?
Recently, I was diagnosed with gallbladder stones.
Surprisingly, I’m thankful for it because it made me stop eating street food and junk food.
Before this, I used to love fried and unhealthy foods.
But this incident made me aware of my health, and now I’m much more careful about what I eat.
So, I believe there’s always a blessing in disguise.
3. Be Grateful for Your Problems:
I remember watching an interview with Shahrukh Khan, the famous actor, where he spoke about facing surgery.
Despite the difficulties, he shared a powerful perspective.
Shahrukh said, “Whenever I am told by the doctors that I have to undergo surgery, I thank God Almighty because He is powerful enough to have taken my life.”
His words are a reminder that even in tough times, there’s something to be thankful for.
Think about it: problems are a sign that we’re alive.
Just like a straight line on an ECG means there’s no heartbeat, having problems means our hearts are still beating, and we’re still in the game. Problems are not just obstacles — they’re indicators of life and opportunities to grow.
Gautam Buddha wisely said, “Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot, at least we learned a little; and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick; and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.”
This quote reminds us that no matter how challenging our problems seem, there is always something positive to focus on.
So, when you face a problem, try to find something to be grateful for.
It could be a lesson learned, a chance to become stronger, or simply the fact that you’re still moving forward.
Being gratitude for your problems can transform how you experience them and help you find peace in the midst of struggle.
Here’s a Simple Exercise that can help you find blessings in your problems:
- Write the Problem: At the top of a page, write down the problem you are facing.
- List the Positives: Write down all the positive aspects, lessons, or hidden benefits of this problem as you can think of.
- Express Gratitude: For each positive, write a short sentence of gratitude.
NOTE : 90% of the people reading this article will skip this exercise. They will keep crying on their problems. Please don’t be like them.
Please do this exercise immediately after finishing this article.
4. Hack to Solve Your Problem:
Every problem has a solution, just as every lock has a key. The trick is finding it. Instead of sitting around feeling stuck, let’s dive into a simple hack that can really help you out.
Here’s a step-by-step approach to help you tackle your challenges:
- Write Down Your Problem: Grab a pen and paper. Write your problem at the top of the page in a question format. For example: “What can I do about… [your problem]?” or “How can I solve/overcome… [your problem]?”
- Brainstorm Solutions: Spend next 60 minutes writing down every possible solution that comes to your mind. Do not stop writing. Don’t judge or filter what comes— just jot them down.
- Evaluate and take Action: Once you have a list of potential solutions, review them and pick the one that seems most viable. Start acting on it. Taking action, even on just one idea, is much better than sitting around feeling sorry for yourself.
This method has proven effective for me time and time again.
I have used this method countless times and it has always given me great results.
Give it a try next time you feel stuck. I’m sure it will help you too!
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