A young man was deeply troubled by the challenges in his life. One day, he met a wise man and shared his worries. “I’m overwhelmed by my problems,” he said. “These pains and worries are too much for me to bear. It feels like only death can free me from this suffering.”
The wise man listened carefully and then said, “Go and bring me some salt.”
The young man was puzzled about what salt had to do with his problems, but he did as he was told and brought the salt.
The wise man said, “Put a handful of salt in a glass of water and drink it.”
The young man did as instructed, but as soon as he drank the water, he spit it out and said, “It’s terrible! It’s so bitter!”
The wise man smiled and said, “Now take the same handful of salt and come with me to the nearby lake.”
When they reached the lake, the wise man asked him to sprinkle the salt into the water and then drink from the lake.
As the young man drank from the lake, the wise man asked, “How does it taste now? Is it still bitter?”
The young man replied, “No, it’s sweet and refreshing.”
The wise man sat beside him, holding his hand, and said, “Our troubles are like this salt. The amount of salt is the same, but the bitterness depends on the container. When you are faced with difficulties, don’t be like the glass—become like the lake.”
“God does not burden a soul more than it can bear. So whenever you face hardships, remember that they are within your capacity to handle. Expand your heart and mind, and the bitterness of life’s troubles will not overwhelm you.”
The young man felt a sense of relief and understanding as the wise man’s words resonated with him.
