Flipping the Script: How to Turn Negativity into Growth

“When we shift perspective — through gratitude, humility, or a deeper understanding — what seems negative may reveal hidden goodness”

Parashat Balak is one of the most interesting examples in the Torah of how what is intended for harm can be transformed into blessing. It is a narrative about perception, power, and transformation. It tells the story of King Balak of Moav, who fears the advancing Israelites and hires the prophet Bilaam to curse them. But instead of cursing, he ends up blessing them–not once, but three times. Bilaam ends up uttering some of the most beautiful blessings ever spoken about the Jewish people — including the famous line, “Mah tovu ohalecha Yaakov, mishkenotecha Yisrael” — “How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!” (Bamidbar 24:5).

At the heart of this parashah is the theme of transforming negativity into positivity, of taking what was meant for harm and turning it into good. This reversal teaches a timeless spiritual truth: that even the negative forces aimed at us can, under Divine guidance, become sources of blessing. This is not just a story of failed curses — it is a master class in spiritual alchemy: the art of turning negativity into light. This idea echoes through Jewish history and spiritual life, and it is especially relevant in times of personal or communal struggle.

1. The Power of Perspective

Bilaam comes with the intent to curse, but each time he tries, he ends up seeing the people from a different vantage point — “from the tops of the rocks I see him” (Bamidbar 23:9) — and each time his perspective changes, so does his speech. It’s a reminder that often what we perceive as “bad” is just a matter of limited vision. When we rise above, when we gain spiritual altitude, we see differently — and from that place, blessings can emerge. Bilaam’s turning point comes when he stops trying to manipulate the Divine will and simply sees the people as they are: “Bilaam saw that it was good in the eyes of the Lord to bless Israel…” (Bamidbar 24:1). Once he surrenders control and aligns with truth, blessing flows. Often, we curse not because something is objectively bad, but because we are stuck in a particular mindset. When we shift perspective—through gratitude, humility, or a deeper understanding—what seems negative may reveal hidden goodness.

2. Divine Override

Another message in this parashah is that HaShem's will for good can override human intent for harm. Bilaam declares, “How can I curse whom HaShem has not cursed?” (23:8). This is a powerful reminder that while people may speak against us, plot against us, or wish us ill, ultimately, blessing is determined by HaShem. Balak and Bilaam both intend to curse, to harm, to undermine. But HaShem intervenes: “You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed” (Bamidbar 22:12). This teaches us that even the strongest ill will or external negativity cannot override Divine favor or inner integrity. Our value does not come from others’ perceptions but from our relationship with the Divine and our moral choices. As the Talmud (Berakhot 33b)

says, “Everything is in the hands of Heaven except for the fear of Heaven.” We control our choices; HaShem controls the outcomes.

3. Seeing Potential Where Others See Threat

Balak sees the Israelites as a threat and Bilaam, climbs mountain after mountain, trying to find a vantage point to curse them. But with each attempt, the only words that emerge are blessings. When Bilaam truly sees them, he ends up praising their integrity, their spiritual strength, and their destiny. The same group that provoked fear in Balak inspires awe in Bilaam. This reminds us that when we stop projecting our fears and start perceiving others with open eyes, what seemed threatening can turn into something beautiful and admirable. 

This story is a reminder that what looks like an attack or setback may be the doorway to unexpected growth. Had Balak not summoned Bilaam, Israel would not have received one of the most beautiful blessings in the Torah. This aligns with a Hasidic teaching that every descent contains the potential for a greater ascent (yeridah letzorech aliyah). When faced with adversity, the spiritual task is not to escape it, but to find within it the seeds of transformation.

A Personal Takeaway

All of us encounter moments when we feel attacked, misunderstood, criticized, or are faced with situations that seem cursed, our own” Bilaams” in life. Yet this parashah teaches us that those moments don’t have to define us. With faith, resilience, and a higher perspective, we can transform those curses into blessings. Sometimes, it is the very challenges that others put in our path that lead us to grow stronger, dig deeper, and live more meaningfully. Parashat Balak invites us to pause and ask:

Can this pain become a path to compassion?

Can this frustration spark creativity?

Can I see this person or challenge with new eyes?

HaShem did not change Bilaam’s mouth so much as his message. The words that came from his lips were transformed by a higher vision. So too, we can choose to elevate our own reactions—turning resentment into resolve, fear into faith, and judgment into blessing.

Parashat Balak invites us to trust in the hidden hand of Providence — that even in moments of adversity, there may be unseen blessings unfolding. When we commit to seeing the good, to lifting our perspective, and to walking in integrity, then like the Israelites in the wilderness, we may find that the curses of others become unexpected sources of strength, wisdom, and blessing. May we all learn to recognize the hidden blessings in our struggles, and to become agents of that alchemy: turning the potential curses of life into lasting good.