Bitachon When the Pressure Is On

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Last week was not a typical week.
There was more on my plate than usual—both work and non-work obligations—and far less sleep than I needed. I was pushing hard, burning the candle at both ends. A few late nights here, an early morning there… and unlike most weeks, I didn’t have a chance to catch up. Usually, I can function on 6 hours a night, maybe even less if it’s just one night. But when the sleep deficit stacks night after night? It hits hard.

By Thursday, I had nothing left.
That’s the day I usually send this newsletter—but even though the draft was ready, I didn’t have the mental clarity or energy to finish it. And I want to share something with you:
Even that was part of the lesson.

Because life is always teaching you something—if your eyes are open.
Hashem puts us exactly where we need to be for our growth, even (especially) when it doesn’t go according to plan. I’ll be writing more about this idea soon, but here’s what last week taught me:

I need to take better care of myself. Pushing too hard, even for good things, leads to burnout—and when that happens, it’s not just productivity that suffers, it’s everything. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is slow down and rest.

And more than that:
There are things we know in our heads, but haven’t yet brought into our hearts.
Bitachon is one of those things.

Last week gave me a deeper clarity:
I am not in control—and I don’t need to be.
When I let go of the pressure and accepted that Hashem is running the show, I felt something amazing:
Calm. Peace. Freedom.
All I need to do is show up and do my part. The results? Those aren’t mine to carry.

By the way—Habitachon is growing fast.
People are loving it. Every day, more readers are signing up and sharing it with others.
If you enjoy this newsletter, you’ll love Habitachon.

It’s a free daily WhatsApp message—just one minute a day—but it gives you back 1,000 times that in peace, clarity, and spiritual strength.

And please share it with friends and family. They will thank you for it.

We could all use a little more bitachon.

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and an amazing week coming up, filled with growth.

Amir

Now, let’s jump into this week’s article.

How Bitachon Helps You Handle Stress, Deadlines, and Life

We all hit those weeks.

I’ve been building Living the Dream with everything I’ve got—

Courses on Bitachon and Gratitude.

The 4-Minute Gratitude and Habitachon programs.

Journals in the works.

Mashal Monday videos.

Content every day.

And behind the scenes? I’m learning, davening, showing up for family, and trying to grow it all.

Most weeks, I manage to keep up.

Last week, I didn’t.

The Week That Didn’t Go to Plan

Thursday is my heaviest day.

It’s when I write my blog post, send out my newsletter with a weekly challenge and practical tools, prep the Geula Corner for a worldwide Ahavat Yisrael group, and record a parsha video.

But this past Thursday?

I was running on fumes.

Not enough sleep. Too many things on my plate. Poor planning on my part.

Everything took longer. I was moving slower. Foggy-headed. Frustrated.

I tried to push through—because the deadlines were real.

I davened and asked Hashem to help me be productive.

I laid out what I needed to do. I talked through my plans.

And then I said something different than usual:

“Hashem, I’m trying my best. But the outcome? That’s up to You.”

Bitachon in Real Life

In the past, a day like this would’ve stressed me out.

I would’ve snapped at interruptions. Treated every phone call like an attack.

Because I believed that everything rested on me.

If I didn’t deliver, I failed.

But not this time.

This time, I reminded myself:

I’m responsible for the effort—not the results.

I can try. I can plan. I can hustle.

But whether it works or not? That’s Hashem’s call.

And with that thought came a wave of peace.

I wasn’t lazy. I wasn’t giving up. I was letting go.

Bitachon means doing your hishtadlus—and trusting Hashem with the rest.

Deadlines, Stress, and the Illusion of Control

Let’s be real.

Deadlines are real.

Stress is real.

There are jobs on the line. Promotions. Clients. Invoices.

I’ve worked those jobs. I’ve felt that pressure.

And in that pressure, it feels like it’s all up to you.

If you don’t deliver, you might lose your income.

Your reputation. Your chance.

But that’s the illusion.

Your income isn’t from your effort. It’s from Hashem.

Your clients didn’t come from you. They were sent by Him.

If you lose one opportunity, He can open a better one.

If you miss a deadline, maybe you’ll see it was a blessing in disguise.

We’re not told to sit back and do nothing.

We’re told:

“Lo alecha hamelacha ligmor, v’lo ata ben chorin l’hibatel mimena.”

It’s not on you to finish the work—but you’re not free to walk away from it either. (Avot 2:16)

Do your 100%.

Then let Hashem decide what happens next.

Rav Moshe’s Weekly Phone Call

There’s a story about Rav Moshe Feinstein that can really blow your mind.

A woman used to call him every Friday to ask what time Shabbos started.

He always answered, kindly wishing her a Good Shabbos.

After he passed away, she called again.

When told Rav Moshe was no longer alive, she didn’t know what to do—and said she had called every week for years.

Someone asked:

“Why would you bother the Gadol Hador for the time? Couldn’t you check yourself?”

She answered that he was always so kind and it never seemed like a bother to him.

To Rav Moshe it wasn’t a bother.

He saw it as what Hashem put in front of him.

And if it came from Hashem, that made it his avodah—just as holy as any Torah learning or halachic decision.

Hillel’s 400-Zuz Smile

Then there’s the famous story from the Talmud (Shabbat 31a):

Two men bet 400 zuz (That’s a lot of money - remember the kid in Chad Gadya was only 2 zuzim) that one of them could get Hillel the Elder angry.

One Friday afternoon—when Hillel was busy washing up for Shabbat—the man went to Hillel’s house, yelling, “Where is Hillel?”

Hillel calmly put on a robe, came out and said, “My son, how can I help you?”

The man asked an absurd question:

“Why are Babylonian heads so round?”

Hillel answered calmly and went back to finish washing up.

The man returned several times asking more absurd questions:

“Why are the eyes of the Tarmudites so round?”

“Why are African feet so wide?”

Every time, Hillel answered with patience and kindness.

Finally, the man gave up and said, “Because of you, I lost 400 zuz! I bet someone that I can get you upset.”

Hillel smiled and said:

“One must always guard himself from getting angry and staying calm was worth the man’s loss. At the same time, Hillel will not take offense.”

That’s not weakness. That’s real strength.

That’s control rooted in bitachon.

That’s knowing that whatever situation you find yourself in is exactly where Hashem wants you to be—and acting properly is your avodah at that moment.

So What’s the Takeaway?

We live in a world of pressure.

Do more. Achieve more. Faster. Better. Now.

But we’re not in control of outcomes.

We’re only in control of effort—and attitude.

When you trust that Hashem runs the world:

• You still show up.

• You still work hard.

• You still care deeply.

But you don’t carry the crushing weight of control.

You just do your best—and leave the rest in far better Hands.

Because that’s what it means to live with bitachon.

That’s what it means to live the dream.

🛠 Practical Tips: Letting Go While Still Showing Up

Here are 5 ways to put bitachon into action when the pressure is on:

• Start your day with intention
  Say: “I’m here to give it my best. Hashem, the rest is in Your hands.” It sets the tone.

• Use a pause phrase
  When you feel overwhelmed or rushed, pause and say: “Effort is mine. Outcome is His.”

• Turn interruptions into avodah
  Don’t see them as distractions. If Hashem put it in front of you, it’s part of your mission today.

• Track effort, not results
  At the end of the day, don’t ask “Did it all get done?” Ask, “Did I give it my best?”

• Reframe missed goals as divine redirection
  If something didn’t work out, tell yourself: “That wasn’t mine. Hashem has something better.”

✨ Weekly Challenge: One Moment of Letting Go

Sometime this week, when you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or pressed for time:

1. Stop for 30 seconds.

2. Say out loud (or write it down):
   “Hashem, I’m doing my part. The outcome is Yours.”

3. Then choose one small next action — calmly, without pressure — and do it with peace of mind.

This isn't about fixing everything.
It’s about catching one moment — and transforming it into bitachon.

Let go of the illusion of control. Hold on to the One actually running the world.

✨ Want more like this every day?

👉 Join Habitachon — A free daily WhatsApp series with 1 powerful bitachon message and action each day.

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This isn’t just about consuming inspiration. It’s about living it. And helping others do the same.

Here’s how you can be part of it:

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Thanks for reading.
We’re all trying to grow, show up, and live with more clarity and trust—one step at a time.
Keep doing your part, and let Hashem handle the rest.

Wishing you a week of calm, strength, and bitachon.

– Amir