Stories of Struggle and Surrender

In the depths of every challenge lies the seed of ease. This truth has echoed through the centuries, woven into the teachings of various cultures and religions. The phrase, “With hardship comes ease,” is emphasised in the Quran, stating, “For indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship comes ease” (94:5-6). The repetition is not just poetic; it serves as a powerful reminder that no struggle is permanent and that relief is always near. Yet, for those caught in the storm, such wisdom can feel distant—a reassurance that remains just out of reach.

Mouaz Ismail, a Scuba Divemaster, once found himself at the mercy of the ocean, caught in a powerful current that swept him and his diving partner far from their designated pickup point. Panic surged through him as the realisation set in—fighting the current was futile. Instead, he surrendered, allowing the ocean to carry him where it willed. As he drifted, a massive shadow passed overhead. His heart pounded. Was it their boat? No, it was a giant manta ray, gliding effortlessly through the water—a silent reminder to let go and trust the moment.

When the current finally released them, they surfaced to an unsettling sight—no boats in sight, only the vastness of the sea stretching around them. Fear settled in as uncertainty loomed. Then, from the horizon, a small fishing boat appeared. Mouaz signalled desperately, and the fisherman, understanding the urgency, sped off to find their dive boat. The wait felt endless, the uncertainty overwhelming. But just as despair threatened to take hold, the fisherman returned, their boat following close behind. The lesson was clear: hardship is never endless, and ease often arrives at the precise moment it is needed most.

The experience of being caught in an uncontrollable current is not exclusive to the ocean. Anxiety, too, has a way of gripping its victims, pulling them deeper into an emotional riptide. Artist Lupie Lup, reflecting on this struggle, explains, “I think I am good at sitting with emotions. I can let them be. I let them go through me by means of choice. I paint when I feel sad, I run when I feel frustrated, I write when I feel confused.”

But anxiety was different. It arrived unannounced, feeding off itself and spiralling into a force that felt impossible to escape. The walls seemed to close in, suffocating and inescapable.

Anxiety, she explained, is like a straitjacket. It robs one of the ability to think, to create, to simply exist in the present moment. The greatest fear was that it would never end—that they would break under its weight. But when the breaking point came, something unexpected happened. Instead of destruction, there was relief. Instead of collapse, there was surrender. Letting go did not mean defeat; it meant opening space for something new. There was beauty in no longer fighting, in being vulnerable, in allowing others to witness the struggle and offer connection.

The lesson of hardship and ease is not confined to personal struggles. History is filled with figures who endured great adversity before emerging into triumph. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison before leading South Africa into a new era. Helen Keller, blind and deaf from childhood, overcame insurmountable barriers to become a voice for the marginalised. J.K. Rowling, once a struggling single mother, channelled her hardships into storytelling that would inspire millions. Each of them faced moments of despair, but none of them remained in darkness forever.

Today, as individuals and communities navigate economic instability, personal setbacks, and global crises, the truth remains unchanged—hardship is temporary. The pandemic forced businesses to pivot, pushing small enterprises into digital spaces where they found unexpected success. Job losses led people to rediscover hidden talents, transforming them into new careers. Entire communities, devastated by disaster, rebuilt with renewed solidarity and strength.

If history has taught us anything, it is that struggle is not the final chapter. The storm will pass, the tide will turn, and the sun will rise again. With hardship comes ease—not always immediately, and not always in the way one expects. But it comes. And sometimes, all that is needed is the courage to let go and trust the current.