In this week's Parsha we begin to read about the various test which Avraham Avinu was faced with. Our Sages tell us, in Pirkei Avos, that Avraham was tested with ten different tests. When one contemplates these tests they were not small obstacles. It was through Avraham's perseverance and faith throughout all of these ordeals that he merited the title of being "beloved by Hashem" something we don't find in reference to any other personality. The Ramchal explains that one of the reason's man is in this world is to stand up and face the tests of life. I think in a deeper sense when a person is faced with a test he has the choice to either grow from it or become broken. When a person faces the tests, hardships, difficulties and grows from them becoming a better person he has in fact "taken the bad and turned it into good". This is one of the deepest purposes of creation for us to realize that the darkness is only in existence to bring out the greatest light.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath