Words to Remember in Times of Difficulty

These quotations are from letters written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi between 1926 and 1954, compiled together and narrated for their common themes of perseverance, patience, and hope. You can find more reference information for each quote below.

“We must not only be patient with others, infinitely patient!, but also with our own poor selves, remembering that even the Prophets of God sometimes got tired and cried out in despair!”

Shoghi Effendi, 22 October 1949

“Persevere and add up your accomplishments, rather than dwell on the dark side of things. Everyone’s life has both a dark and bright side.”

Shoghi Effendi, 22 October 1949

“The road is stony, and there are many tests; but if we learn to live according to Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings, we will discover that they work indeed in mysterious and forceful ways; and that there is always help at hand, that obstacles are overcome, and that success is assured in the end.”

-Shoghi Effendi, 23 April 1956 Found in Living the Life by Shoghi Effendi, published in Compilation of Compilations, Volume 2

“The more we search for ourselves, the less likely we are to find ourselves; and the more we search for God, and to serve our fellow-men, the more profoundly will we become acquainted with ourselves, and the more inwardly assured. This is one of the great spiritual laws of life.”

Shoghi Effendi, February 18, 1954, published in Lights of Guidance

“I shall supplicate the Almighty that strength and wisdom may be given you to face and overcome the obstacles and trials that you will inevitably encounter in future. The end is glorious if we only persevere.”

Shoghi Effendi, August 25th, 1926

We’re striving to raise awareness of mental health as part of Mental Health Month so we’ve put together a special collection of Baha’i Blog content (articles, videos, talks, and more) on the spiritual themes of health, healing and overcoming difficulties.

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Sonjel Vreeland

In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she's driving at night.