Someone complained to Rebbe Sholom of Kaminka about his bitter lot in life. Rebbe Shalom told him, “Everything is sweet. You just think that it’s bitter.” The man replied, “How can you say my life is good?”
Rebbe Shalom answered, “Alcohol tastes bitter for those who aren’t accustomed to it. But this bitter drink leads to joy... Similarly, although things seem bitter, it is really joyous. Something good will come from it.”
This can be compared to a person lost in a forest for a long time. Finally, after wandering for days, he notices a clearing in the distance. He rushes there and sees that it is a cemetery. He is overcome with relief because he knows he is near an inhabited area.
Generally, finding a graveyard isn’t a joyous occasion, but for this person, it was a joyous sign because it signified he was near civilization.
The nimshal is that people don’t generally associate hardships with happiness. Nevertheless, when you know that the difficulties are a sign that something very good will follow, you will be happy with the hardships too.
