The Power Of Belief

The Journey Begins With

As she sat waiting to be seen by the judge for her appeal, she reflected on her posture. Her neck was bent, weighed down by thoughts of worry. The waiting room was empty except for her. A memory surfaced in her mind: “You must be the woman you intend to become.”

She adjusted her shoulders and removed her faux leather coat, recalling a lesson from Dr. Joe Dispenza’s Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself. If she truly wanted to embody the woman of her dreams, she needed to start now.

“What does the woman I aspire to be do in moments like this?” she asked herself. “What would she think? How would she act?”

In moments of fear, we must grab ourselves by the collar and redirect worrisome energy. Seeds of doubt are the enemy’s attempt to diminish our self-worth. From the beginning of time, Shaitan underestimated humanity, as stated in the Qur’an:

“And We said unto the angels: Prostrate yourselves before Adam. They fell prostrate all save Iblis. He demurred through pride and so became a disbeliever.” (Qur’an 2:34)

In another verse, Allah says:

“He said: What hindered thee that thou didst not fall prostrate when I bade thee? (Iblis) said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire while him Thou didst create of mud.” (Qur’an 7:12)

Shaitan uses various techniques to weaken us mentally. Whispers of inferiority invade our thoughts unless we combat them with intentional methods: seeking refuge in Allah, identifying emotions, and affirming Allah’s promises to us.

But within fear lies an opportunity to uncover the root of our emotions. Her therapist’s words echoed in her mind: “Emotions don’t just vanish. You have to feel and identify them to heal them.”

She reached for the wheel of emotions her therapist had given her and identified what she was feeling: fear, helplessness, rejection. Then, she asked herself: “How would the woman I aspire to be deal with this situation?”

The answer was clear. That woman would stand up for her beliefs, even if she felt scared or alone. She would face challenges with faith and resilience. The woman she aspired to be would embrace strategies from the Qur’an and her lived experiences.

Straightening her posture, she affirmed: “I choose to stand up for what I believe.” Instantly, her focus sharpened.

Confidence is built by showing up for ourselves, even in the face of discomfort. Being honest with ourselves and accepting the unease of disappointing others strengthens our commitment to growth and deepens our reliance on Allah.

Albert Einstein once said, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change.”

“Number 104,” the woman in the blue two-piece skirt set called out.

“Bismillah,” she whispered as she rose from the silver bench.

She entered the courtroom, greeted by a silent panel and a room set at a comfortable 72 degrees. She smiled softly and said, “Hi, how are you?”

She understood that this moment was more than just an appeal. It was a step into becoming the woman she envisioned. After stating her case, she was dismissed. Although the ruling was in her favor, her victory went far deeper.

She had learned that being an advocate for yourself often means going against the crowd. Whether in a family, workspace, classroom, or even a waiting room, standing alone for justice strengthens your soul. Isolation isn’t forever—it serves its purpose for an appointed time.

Sometimes, you must pause and check your intentions. Whether others perceive your actions as good or bad, does their opinion change the greatness within you? Does it take away your purpose?

You won’t always receive recognition for showing up as your best self, but Allah is the ultimate overseer. Tests and challenges are not meant to be easy—they are designed to refine us. The Qur’an reminds us:

“Who hath created life and death that He may try you which of you is best in conduct; and He is the Mighty, the Forgiving.” (Qur’an 67:2)

When your focus remains on pleasing Allah above all else, your actions align with a higher purpose. The journey may not always look pretty, but its longevity brings peace.

Even when you feel outnumbered or overshadowed, remember: standing firm in your beliefs is how you achieve your ultimate reward. Continuously strive toward the vision Allah has placed in your heart.

The journey of belief begins within.

You have achieved the ultimate win.