“Sarah’s lifetime was one hundred years, twenty years, and seven years; the years of Sarah’s life” (Genesis, 23:1). This week’s Torah portion segments Sarah’s life into three different stages: one hundred years, twenty years, seven years. Why didn’t the Torah just say, “These were the years of Sarah’s life, 127 years?”

Commentaries explain that by segmenting Sarah’s life, it tells us that all the years – no matter what the stage – of Sarah’s life were good. When we take a step back and think about Sarah’s life, how could they all have been good? Sarah dealt with infertility, gave her husband to her servant who disparaged and humiliated her, she was kidnaped by Pharaoh and Avimelech, and finally after having a son, hears that her husband sacrificed him. How do these events translate into a good life?

There is a profound lesson in emunah (faith in God) that we can learn from Sarah. Regardless of what was happening to her, she was able to maintain a real, inner happiness that led to a love of life. Sarah knew that whatever transpired, whatever was happening to her was directly orchestrated by God, and since God is a loving and compassionate God, was only for her benefit.

When we recognize that everything is for our benefit, even if we do not understand how, we are able to approach the situation completely differently.

If someone experiences a minor inconvenience, it is easy to get emotionally wrapped up in that inconvenience. We get caught up in a whirl wind of emotion and annoyance that inhibits anything good coming from that situation. If we however, recognize that God is giving you this minor inconvenience for your benefit and that nothing in the world is better for you right now, then you are able to better deal with the situation and grow from it, which is the purpose of the inconvenience to begin with.

If, for example, someone is impatient and is running late to a meeting due to someone’s negligence, it is natural for that person to have feelings of anger, annoyance, frustration, etc. towards that person. However, if the person realizes that God sent that negligence to make them late, and there is nothing better, even if you do not see how being late is beneficial, you are able to bring God into the picture, and strengthen your patience muscles. You can take a step back and not let your emotions run wild while dragging you along with them.

Maintaining a clear head and bringing God into the picture enables you to recognize that this is an opportunity for you to work on trust in God, patience, forgiveness, giving the others the benefit of the doubt. You can maintain a true happiness because you recognize that you have been directly given a precious opportunity from God who loves you. You are better equipped at keeping a positive outlook that enables you to maintain a joy of life, please God until 120 years old, just like Sarah.

Exercise: If an inconvenience occurs throughout the day, think that this was sent to you by God for your benefit. Try to accept it with love knowing it was sent to you out of love from God, and maintain your state of happiness.