This Too Shall Pass
Whether you're in a slump or on a high, these four words offer grounding perspective: this too shall pass. A timeless reminder for uncertain times.
One thing I’ve heard my mom remind me many times over the years is, “This too shall pass.” I used to think this phrase came from the Bible, but when I did a little research for this post, I learned it's actually a Persian adage that's been passed down through generations. Personally, I find those four words more comforting than "change is the only constant" or the ever-cheerful "nothing is certain but death and taxes."
Why This Reminder Matters Now
Right now feels like one of those moments where it’s important to hold on to this small but powerful phrase. If you're anything like me and a big Atlanta Braves fan, it's been tough to watch their 1-8 start to the season. A team with World Series aspirations looking completely lost. But I have to remind myself daily: this isn’t how it ends. This slump will pass.
For everyone else who isn't tracking baseball stats, there's plenty more to feel uneasy about. The world feels tense right now — political uncertainty, shifting alliances, trade disputes, and economic instability are affecting people everywhere. The headlines alone are enough to wear you down. In times like these, we don’t need forecasts or predictions. We need grounding. And that's where this phrase comes in: this too shall pass. — political tension, economic uncertainty, trade realignment, and more. I’m not going to pretend to have answers for how or when this gets resolved, but I can say with confidence: this too shall pass.
5 Reminders to Help Weather the Storm
1. Not everything is worth your stress.
When something is truly out of your hands, let it go. That doesn’t mean you stop caring or give up — it means you prioritize your peace. Stress is a natural reaction, but constant stress over things we can't change only drains our energy. By letting go of what we can't control, we create space to focus on what we can influence, which is often more than we think.
2. Life is full of peaks and valleys.
It’s easy to forget this when you're stuck in a low spot. But no valley lasts forever, and no mountaintop is permanent either. Life is movement — from calm to chaos, from sorrow to joy, and back again. Every hard season you’ve faced so far has eventually given way to something new. Remembering that makes the climb feel more possible, even when it’s steep.
3. Shift your perspective.
When things feel bleak, it helps to step outside yourself for a moment and look around. The Braves are off to a terrible start, yes, but Giants fans? They’re having a blast. One person’s bad day might be someone else’s breakthrough. This doesn’t mean your struggles aren’t valid — they are. But shifting your lens can help reduce the weight of those struggles and offer just enough distance to breathe and reset.
4. Use time as a lens.
Think about something that once felt like the end of the world. Maybe it was a breakup, death of a friend, a job loss, or a failed project. Now look back at it with the benefit of time. Chances are, it doesn’t sting the way it did. Time has a way of dulling pain, sharpening perspective, and reframing stories. When you're in the middle of a mess, zooming out helps you remember: you’ve survived worse, and you’ll get through this too.
5. Take the next small step.
When the road ahead feels overwhelming, don’t try to see the whole path. Just take the next step. Maybe that’s answering one email, going for a short walk, or calling a friend. You don’t need to solve everything right now. Progress often comes in inches, not miles. And those small, steady actions eventually pull you forward, even if you're moving slowly.
Wisdom That Anchors Us
When my dad was near the end of his life, my mom put this phrase everywhere around their house. It gave her strength during a time that could have swallowed her whole. It wasn’t just a reminder that the pain would fade. It was a signal that she could survive it.
And this saying isn’t just for the hard times. It matters in the good times too. Why would we want to be reminded that a peak season will pass? Because it encourages us to be fully present. To savor joy. To practice gratitude. To stop scrolling and really feel what’s good right now. These moments are fleeting, and that’s what makes them matter so much.
So whether you’re deep in a valley or standing on a mountaintop, I hope this small phrase meets you where you are and reminds you of something true: this too shall pass.
If this post resonated with you, please give it a like, share it with a friend, or leave a comment with a story about a time when a hard season in your life passed — and what you learned from it. I love hearing your reflections and building a little community of shared wisdom.