Trusting the Almighty Does Not Mean Being Passive

There is an important difference between what depends on us and what lies beyond our control. For example, when looking for a new job, a person can study, send out résumés, attend interviews, and persevere — but the final decision belongs to others. Some changes depend much more on the person themselves: giving up a harmful habit, changing their lifestyle, or learning to respond differently to people. Wisdom means recognizing where my hishtadlut — personal effort — is needed, and where, after doing my part, I must accept that the outcome is no longer in my hands.

Trusting the Almighty does not mean being passive. A person should do everything reasonable within their power without destroying themselves over what they cannot control. Sometimes a closed door leads us to seek another; sometimes we need to try again. We do not always understand the meaning of what happens, so faith here means continuing to act without believing that every outcome is ours to determine, rather than trying to explain every setback.

When it comes to changing ourselves, we should remember that lasting change rarely happens overnight. A small step matters too. If you have moved a little further today than yesterday, that is already progress. You need to understand why you are changing, break a larger goal into stages, and be prepared for occasional setbacks. A fall does not erase the journey already traveled if a person gets back up and keeps going.

Perhaps this is what mature faith means: not leaving to the Almighty what you must do yourself, and not trying to take responsibility for what rests only in His hands. Doing everything that depends on you — and knowing how to entrust to Him what no longer does.