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I want to share with your readers the chizuk I had. I know that what I'm writing about is something everyone knows, but it's different when you experi- ence it personally. That's when the truth of it really clicks.

In recent years, I underwent a very difficult nisayon, and I was truly broken. The most difficult part of it was the feeling that I was abandoned and left to deal with this thing completely on my own. None of my extended family, friends, or acquaintances tried to help, or even expressed sympathy or encourage- ment. It was tough, to say the least.

During those dark days, the idea entered my mind that I really wasn't alone - Hakadosh Baruch Hu was right there with me. This thought was a tremendous comfort to me, and it gave me chizuk the whole way through.

I think this is the natural way of the world: When a person feels afraid, depressed, and abandoned, these feelings stem from the illusion that he is alone in his battles. When he understands and feels that there is Someone running the show in this world, and that Someone is none other than our Father in Shamayim, Who loves us and is with us always, then that understanding brings him back to life and chases away all the terrible emotions. Then, even through very difficult times, his heart can feel the joy of closeness to Hashem.

It is my hope that these words will give chizuk to all the readers out there as well. I also want to thank you for the incredible things I've heard on your phone line and the words of chizuk in your newslet- ters.

Best wishes,
Yaakov Yisrael S., Bnei Brak
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