As we examine how hardships affect us, we realize that not everyone comesout the same. One gust of wind can completely uproot some trees, while leaving other trees firm and growing.Consider the powerful divine sign (ayah) of fire. A forest fire is actually necessaryfor the survival and growth of the forest itself. The fire itself supports the natural cycle of growth and replenishmentby clearing dead trees, leaves and competing vegetation from the forest floor.These fires make room for stronger trees to grow by removing weak or diseased trees and breaking down andreturning nutrients to the soil.So, the problem isn't the fire. In fact, the fire itself is necessary for the survival of the forest. The problem is when the fire gets out of control and begins toconsume more than it should. What happens when the emotional and psychological fires of our life get out of control and consume more than they should? What happens whenour emotional experiences becomeimbalanced?There is a vast difference between pain and suffering. And this distinction is critical. Some level of pain is inevitablein this life, be that physical, mental,emotional, spiritual. But, suffering is avoidable. Pain is designed to protect us from deeper harm. Suffering is what happens when we ignore that warning.Now the question arises :How to prevent the normal pain that we experience through hardships from turning intosuffering?We will never be able to stop the storms from hitting our lives, we can't control the calamities, the hardships, the tests and the trials. We will never be ableto hold back the waves. We just can't control the weather. But Allah has given us shelter. He has given us the lifeboatAnd He has given us sort of a spiritual and emotional immune system The Prophet (ﷺ) taught us this principle: "Know Allah in ease and He will know you in hardship. And know that what has passed you by, was nevermeant to befall you. And what has befallen you, was never meant to pass you by. And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and with hardship comes ease -(Mentioned in Hadith Nawawi :19)-In another hadith, the Prophet (ﷺ) says: "Whoever would be pleased for Allah to answer him during times of hardship and difficulty, let him supplicate often during times of ease."(Mentioned in Sahih-Tirmidhi -3382)By being close to Allah SWT during our times of ease we are building and strengthening this immune system .Every prayer, every ayah, every sajdah, every duaa, every act of service to others, every charity isanother building block to that immune system-the very system that will later fight for us when a threat hits. When-not if-the test comes. As we go through living this life, Allah says in Surah At-Talaq(Chap:65-Verse:1)-‎”وَمَن یَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِ فَقَدۡ ظَلَمَ نَفۡسَهُۥۚ…”...and he who transgresses the bounds set by God does injustice to himself"When we break Allah's rules and cross the boundaries set, we only hurt ourselves-not Allah and as an inevitable result we suffer. If a patient chooses to drink poison instead of his medicine, hedoesn't hurt the doctor. He hurts only himself.