Choosing the King

A chassid of R. Mordechai of Lechovitz was a timber merchant. As happens from time to time, the price of lumber fell drastically and the merchant was about to suffer a major setback. After walking around despondent for several weeks, the chassid went to his Rebbe for a blessing.

R. Mordechai answered him: “Our Sages teach that when a person is in distress, the Divine presence joins him in his anguish. When you are suffering because of the money you have lost, G‑d shares your distress. Now tell me: Is it worthwhile to cause G‑d suffering because of a few pieces of wood?”