Faith that Conquers Fear

“adversity is not meant to paralyze us but to refine us”

In modern psychology, the term Adversity Quotient (AQ) refers to a person’s ability to cope with challenges, obstacles, and setbacks. Just as IQ measures intellect and EQ measures emotional intelligence, AQ measures how resilient a person is when life does not go according to plan. Those with a high AQ see obstacles not as walls but as hurdles to be overcome, opportunities for growth, and stepping stones toward success.

Parashat Shoftim, which focuses on justice, leadership, and building a moral society, offers powerful lessons about developing a strong AQ.

Parashat Shoftim opens with the command:

 “Judges and officers you shall appoint in all your gates… and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment” (Devarim 16:18).

On the surface, this verse deals with the appointment of leaders to govern fairly. But the Sages teach that the Torah is not only about society, it also speaks to the inner world of the individual. Each person has “gates”, the senses, the thoughts, the choices, that filter how we experience the world. To navigate adversity, we must become both judge and officer over ourselves: judging fairly what happens to us, and enforcing discipline in how we respond.

The Torah here is not only speaking about the leaders of the nation but also hinting at the internal “judges and officers” we must appoint within ourselves. Each of us faces battles, not only external but internal, and the way we judge and respond to those battles determines our ability to grow.

Furthermore, the mitzvah of appointing judges reminds us to apply fairness in self-judgment. When facing hardship, we can become overly harsh on ourselves, declaring ourselves failures, or we can distort judgment by making excuses. The Torah calls for mishpat tzedek, righteous judgment, even in our inner world. That means seeing adversity clearly, neither exaggerating nor dismissing it, and then responding with balance, courage, and trust in HaShem.

Adversity often feels like chaos, but Shoftim reminds us that order and structure help us endure. By setting internal “laws” and maintaining principles, we avoid being swept away by despair when challenges arise.

This concept of adversity quotient resonates throughout Shoftim. The parashah outlines laws for kings, prophets, priests, judges, and even for going out to war. Life, like war, is full of uncertainty and obstacles. The Torah acknowledges human fear:

 “Who is the man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, so that he will not melt the heart of his brethren, like his heart” (Devarim 20:8).

This verse shows two possible responses to adversity. Some are overwhelmed and retreat, and that is acknowledged as part of human reality. Others strengthen themselves, stand firm, and inspire courage in those around them.

The difference is their AQ, their ability to frame adversity not as the end, but as a challenge to overcome. This is a direct call to AQ. Facing adversity often feels like facing an overwhelming army. The Torah acknowledges the fear but insists: resilience grows from trust, in HaShem, in purpose, and in the knowledge that no obstacle is greater than the One who walks with us.

Another key section in the parashah describes the laws of kingship (Deut. 17:14–20). The king is warned not to amass excessive wealth, horses, or wives, but instead to carry a Torah scroll and read from it daily. Why? Because true leadership, and true resilience, does not come from external power but from inner grounding. When life tests us, our ability to return to our core values and guiding truths is what sustains us.

Thus, Parashat Shoftim provides a framework for strengthening our Adversity Quotient:

1. Internal Judges and Officers – regulate our thoughts and reactions, so challenges do not define us.

2.  Faith and Perspective – adversity may appear overwhelming, but knowing we are not alone enables courage.

3. Living by Core Values – like the king with his Torah scroll, we return to our inner compass when tested.  

Ultimately, Shoftim calls us to build inner systems, judges to guide our thinking, officers to enforce discipline, kingship to set vision, and prophets to inspire hope. Together, they create resilience. When adversity strikes, our “inner Shoftim” decide whether we falter or rise.

Takeaway

Parashat Shoftim teaches that adversity is not an accident but an arena for growth. The Torah equips us with inner leadership to strengthen our Adversity Quotient: clarity of judgment, disciplined action, vision for the future, and faith in HaShem. By cultivating these, we not only survive life’s battles but transform them into pathways of spiritual and personal greatness.

The lesson is clear: adversity is not meant to paralyze us but to refine us. Just as Shoftim insists on justice, order, and faith in leadership, so too must we lead ourselves with resilience, turning setbacks into stepping stones toward growth and holiness.