Here Are 6 Reasons to Believe in Yourself
Sometimes it feels like the road ahead leads to a dead end.
Do you sometimes doubt that you can actually do this Islam thing? That you can live up to the promise you made to yourself?
Do you wonder if you can move forward, when it feels like your wheels are spinning?
In the beginning you were really motivated. Excited. But then maybe you hit a roadblock.
When life seems to slip by with nothing getting better, or easier, we often blame ourselves and doubt our potential.
The key to getting on your feet and marching forward has been inside you all along.
Here are just 6 of the reasons you should never stop believing in yourself.
1. You stepped into the light
Look at how far you’ve come. Often, we forget what we overcame by undervaluing our achievements.
But a simple exercise in self-reflection and gratitude tells a different story.
“What about the one whose heart God has opened in devotion to Him, so that he walks in light from his Lord?” (39:22)
You see, God did choose you! Out of the countless humans walking this Earth, it was you who was given the light of Islam.
So why wouldn’t you believe in yourself if God Himself believes in you?
2. You took the path of learning
He’s in your corner and wants you to succeed. Why else would God give you the tools to pave your way to guidance.
“It is the Lord of Mercy who taught the Quran. He created man and taught him to communicate.” (55: 1-4)
What better a teacher to have than God Himself? Not only did He teach us how to achieve success in this life and the next, He also gave us the step-by-step manual to get there.
3. You are admired by the Angels
Human beings all have such great potential. That’s why God commanded the angels to prostrate to the first man, Adam.
“Your Lord said to the angels, ‘I will create a mortal out of dried clay, formed from dark mud. When I have fashioned him and breathed my spirit into him, bow down before him,’ and the angels all did so.” (15:29-30)
This prostration is not the kind that we do to God, in order to worship Him: angels only worship God. They prostrated out of obedience to God, and out of honor and greeting to humankind.
4. That time God defended you in front of the angels
When God announced to the angels that He was creating mankind, the angels assumed we’d cause more damage than good on Earth.
But it was God who defended us… because He knew of our potential for good.
“[Prophet], when your Lord told the angels, ‘I am putting a successor on earth,’ they said, ‘How can You put someone there who will cause damage and bloodshed, when we celebrate Your praise and proclaim Your holiness?’ but He said, ‘I know things you do not.’” (2:30)
It’s our propensity for good that far outweighs our weaknesses. We choose mercy, we are affectionate towards plants and animals, and we take care of one another.
You too should believe in your ability to accomplish even greater things.
5. You are being bragged about
Imagine someone you admire bragged about you to an elite crowd. How great would that be? How special would you feel?
You’d probably wonder what you did to deserve that mention.
The Messenger of God said, “When a group of people assemble for the remembrance of God, the angels surround them, God’s mercy envelops them, tranquillity descends upon them and God makes a mention of them before those who are near Him.”
Even if you are alone at home taking a course with others online… that still counts.
Just imagine a canopy of magnificent angel wings surrounding you… like a protective force field…. extending all the way to heaven.
And simply because you are present in a gathering remembering God, He praises you to His angels. Angels, who are always worshipping Him.
Even if you don’t think you are amazing, the angels do.
6. You are stronger than you think
When you can’t bear it anymore and are just about to give up…. especially as someone who has just converted to Islam… remember this:
“God does not burden any soul with more than it can bear..” (2:286)
Whatever comes your way, know that you are strong enough to overcome it. You have it in you to knock it down and succeed.
God chose you, specially, to accept Islam, and gave you the tools that helped guide you.
You are mentioned to the angels, who honor you. Your role on the earth is noble, and with a single purpose: the worship of God alone.
Inside you is an untapped reserve of awesomeness. Find it, and use it.
And so, when you look back on this time in life, you will smile and feel proud at how far you’ve come. You will one day be grateful for the tests that seemed to weigh you down but just made you stronger.
Have hope that you are headed for greatness.