Building bitachon — the type that shows up in the moments we need it most — is within our reach. But just like physical strength, it requires knowing what specifically needs to be strengthened. When we feel a lack of menuchas hanefesh in a situation, we can work to identify which bitachon “muscle” needs a workout.
The classic rishonim who speak about bitachon identify three foundational ideas that can help us feel safe with Hashem.
- He’s Got It Covered
Most of us don’t feel unsettled when we need something small. But when a situation feels big or out of our reach, our nefesh can respond to the issue as if it is too big for anyone to handle. A difficult conversation with a boss, a major financial setback, or losing an important client can suddenly feel impossible. Once we evaluate ourselves as too small for the challenge, we mistakenly pass on that evaluation to Hashem, thinking something like, “if it’s too big for me, it’s too big for Hashem.”
And we all know it’s not true. Hashem’s ability isn’t limited by the size of the problem. We need to internalize this. We can think to ourselves, “granted, some issues might be too much for me. But nothing is too much for Hashem!” After training this muscle, we’ll experience a sense of security even when the situation feels completely beyond us.
- No One Can Touch Me!
A competitor gets the account. Someone else gets the promotion. The market changes. We may still intellectually know that Hashem is in charge, but suddenly, our nefesh feels threatened.
We are challenged by the fear that someone or something else can take away what is meant for us.
Again, it’s not hard to see the error, but we need to pound it into our heads. No person or circumstance can interfere with what Hashem ultimately decides to give us. When this muscle is in top shape, we’ll feel much greater menuchas hahefesh even when circumstances change.
- The Ultimate GPS
Naturally, we feel calmer when we understand what’s happening. We make a plan, see the route ahead, and feel that everything makes sense. But we all know plans have a way of falling apart sometimes.The job doesn’t work out. The deal falls through. Something takes much longer than expected. What happens to our sense of calm then?
We have to learn to relate to the sudden changes in our lives the same way we would relate to route changes on a GPS. We may not understand why it is telling us to turn left when we thought we should be going right. But we trust the GPS because it sees the route in a way we don’t.
Hashem sees the entire picture. Rather than trying to understand, we can choose to hit the bitachon gym and remind ourselves that we don’t need to understand the route in order to feel safe with the One who does.
These ideas aren’t meant to “fix” our bitachon in one moment. Sometimes, one of these muscles needs work. Sometimes, it’s all three. Either way, we have a starting point. The fundamental point is to identify what is happening inside us, understanding what is driving it, and working on it consistently. That’s real bitachon building, and if we keep it up, what used to be a foreign response begins to become more natural.
Take It to Go!
Find Your Muscle
Think of a current situation where it is difficult to feel safe with Hashem. Which of these feels most like your struggle?
He’s Got It Covered
“I don’t need to see how Hashem will do it. I only need to remember that He can.”
No One Can Touch Me
“Another person cannot take control of what Hashem decides to give me.”
The Ultimate GPS
“I don’t need to understand the route in order to feel safe with the One who is guiding me.”
You don’t have to solve the whole problem. For now, just notice which muscle needs work.
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 104.
