# 3 Reasons Why You Think the World Is Against You

**Author:** Najwa Awad
**Series:** Trauma: Your Lord Has Not Forsaken You
**Published:** 2020-04-20
**YouTube:** https://youtu.be/xu9K_8No9AY
**URL:** https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/animation/3-reasons-why-you-think-the-world-is-against-you-animation
**Topics:** Psychology & Mental Health, Trauma

## Description
It’s easy to get caught up in cycles of negativity, especially if there are a lot of bad things happening to you or around you. Here are three reasons why you think the world is against you and some ways to change your negative thought patterns.

## Transcript
**[0:00]** Three reasons why you think the world is against you. Why do bad things keep happening to me? How could the world be such a bad place? Why is everyone out to get me? It's easy to get caught up in negative cycles of thought when bad things pile up in your life.

**[0:20]** The more negative things you experience, the more negative the world looks. But does that mean the world is really out to get you? Probably not. Here are three reasons you might think you have it worse than others. 1. Childhood Invalidation

**[0:38]** Parents, teachers, and caregivers play major roles in how we view and interact with the world. When a child thinks or feels something only to have an adult say their experience is wrong, it creates self-doubt, anxiety, and a lack of security.

**[0:57]** 2. Learned Pessimism This thought process leads you to believe that, if I don't expect good things to happen to me, then I won't be disappointed when I don't succeed or good things don't come my way.

**[1:12]** Over time, this way of thinking builds deep-rooted pessimism and a very reactive, instead of proactive, way of addressing concerns. 3. Genetics Pessimism might be tied to our genes.

**[1:30]** If this is the case, then individuals with this gene may have to try a little harder than others to practice looking on the brighter side of things. But none of these things mean you can't change. With reflection and practice, you can gain the tools needed to change negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

**[1:49]** Here's how. 1. Practice the Sunnah of having husn al-wan, or having a good opinion of others. Give others and yourself excuses. Try to understand where your thoughts and feelings are coming from, and how the actions of others may reflect what they're going through, and not what they think of you.

**[2:08]** 2. Look through the Prophet's eyes. Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, had some incredibly difficult times in his life when he had no food, people were trying to kill him, and he had no sense of physical security.

**[2:25]** Imagine sitting with the Prophet, peace be upon him, and conversing with him. What are positive things that you have that he didn't? What are good things about you? 3. Remember the words of the Qur'an and the Prophet about hard times.

**[2:44]** There is great blessing to be found in trials and tribulations. Whoever among you wakes up in the morning secure in his dwelling, healthy in his body, and having his food for the day, then it is as if the world has been gathered for him. And we will surely test you with something of fear and hunger, and a loss of wealth, and lives, and fruits,

**[3:05]** but give good tidings to the patient who, when disaster strikes them, they say, Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return. Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy, and it is those who are rightly guided.

**[3:22]** 4. No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah, and whoever believes in Allah, he will guide his heart, and Allah is knowing of all things. Remember, Allah is always with you, even if it feels like the entire world is against you.

## Other Episodes in "Trauma: Your Lord Has Not Forsaken You"
- [How Can I Ever Trust Again?](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/how-can-i-ever-trust-again-infographic.md)
- ["Why am I so unlovable?"](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/why-am-i-so-unlovable.md)
- [Touched by Trauma: "Why Isn't My Iman Stronger?"](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/touched-by-trauma-why-isnt-my-iman-stronger.md)
- [Touched by Trauma: "Why Do Bad Things Always Happen to Me?"](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/part-2-touched-by-trauma-why-do-bad-things-always-happen-to-me.md)
- [“What Did I Do to Deserve This?” Conquering the Assumptions that Hold You Back](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/what-did-i-do-to-deserve-this-conquering-the-assumptions-that-hold-you-back.md)
- [Healing the Community | MASCON 2019](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/healing-the-community.md)
- [Touched by Trauma: Your Lord Has Not Left You Alone](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/part-1-touched-by-trauma-your-lord-has-not-left-you-alone.md)
- [Coping with Grief: A Spiritual and Psychological Guide](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/coping-with-grief-a-spiritual-and-psychological-guide.md)
- [Why is Everyone's Life Better than Mine? | Trauma Ep. 9](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/why-is-everyones-life-better-than-mine-trauma-ep-9.md)
- [“Why Is Everyone’s Life Better than Mine?” Protecting Yourself from the Dangers of Comparison](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/why-is-everyones-life-better-than-mine.md)
- ["How Can I Ever Get Past This?" Reclaiming Your Future After the Abuse Has Ended](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/how-can-i-ever-get-past-this-reclaiming-your-future-after-the-abuse-has-ended.md)
- [How Can I Ever Get Past This? | Trauma Ep. 8](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/how-can-i-ever-get-past-this-trauma-ep-8.md)
- [“It’s All My Fault”: Quieting and Healing Your Inner Critic](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/its-all-my-fault-quieting-and-healing-your-inner-critic.md)
- [I Must Have Done Something Wrong - Is It My Fault? | Trauma Ep. 7](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/i-must-have-done-something-wrong-is-it-my-fault-trauma-ep-7.md)
- ["Everything is Falling Apart": Dealing with Unexpected Life Detours](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/everything-is-falling-apart-dealing-with-unexpected-life-detours.md)
- [Understanding Traumatic Grief - Najwa Awad | ISNACON 2019](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/grief-as-a-source-of-trauma.md)
- [The Impact of Grief on Faith - Sarah Sultan | ISNACON 2019](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/the-impact-of-grief-on-faith.md)
- [Everything is Falling Apart | Trauma Ep. 6](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/everything-is-falling-apart-trauma-ep-6.md)
- [How Islam Addresses Grief - Dr. Altaf Husain | ISNACON 2019](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/how-islam-addresses-grief.md)
- [The Duha Approach: A New Model to Treat Trauma - Najwa Awad | ISNACON 2019](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/the-duha-approach-a-new-model-to-treat-trauma.md)
- [The Impact of Trauma on Faith - Sarah Sultan | ISNACON 2019](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/the-impact-of-trauma-on-faith.md)
- [Addressing the Topic of Trauma and Faith - Sh. Omar Suleiman | ISNACON 2019](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/addressing-the-topic-of-trauma-and-faith.md)
- ["Why Does Allah Hate Me?" Rescripting Negative Self-Talk](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/why-does-allah-hate-me-rescripting-negative-self-talk.md)
- [Why Does Allah Hate Me So Much? | Trauma Ep. 5](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/why-does-allah-hate-me-so-much-trauma-ep-5.md)
- [How Can I Ever Trust Again? | Trauma Ep. 4](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/how-can-i-ever-trust-again-trauma-ep-4.md)
- ["How Can I Ever Trust Again?" Navigating Betrayal](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/how-can-i-ever-trust-again-navigating-betrayal.md)
- [Why Bother Living if the Future is Filled with Pain? | Trauma Ep. 3](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/why-bother-living-if-the-future-is-filled-with-pain-trauma-ep-3.md)
- ["Why Bother Living if the Future is Filled with Pain?" Reclaiming Our Thoughts](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/why-bother-living-if-the-future-is-filled-with-pain-reclaiming-our-thoughts.md)
- [I Should've Gotten Over It by Now | Trauma Ep. 2](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/i-shouldve-gotten-over-it-by-now-trauma-ep-2.md)
- [How to Cope with the New Zealand Mosque Shooting Tragedy](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/how-to-cope-with-new-zealand-tragedy-infographic.md)
- [How to Cope with the New Zealand Mosque Shooting Tragedy | Trauma Special](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/how-to-cope-with-the-new-zealand-mosque-shooting-tragedy-trauma-special.md)
- ["I Should've Gotten Over It by Now": Surviving the Impact of Grief on Faith](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/i-shouldve-gotten-over-it-by-now-surviving-the-impact-of-grief-on-faith.md)
- [Why Do Bad Things Only Happen To Me? | Trauma Ep. 1](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/why-do-bad-things-only-happen-to-me-trauma-ep-1.md)
- ["Why Do Bad Things Always Happen to Me?" Breaking the Cycles of Negativity](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/why-do-bad-things-always-happen-to-me-breaking-the-cycles-of-negativity.md)
- [Your Lord Has Not Forsaken You | Trauma Series Introduction](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/your-lord-has-not-forsaken-you-trauma-series-introduction.md)
- [Your Lord Has Not Forsaken You: Addressing the Impact of Trauma on Faith](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/trauma/your-lord-has-not-forsaken-you-addressing-the-impact-of-trauma-on-faith.md)