Common Life Lessons in the Gita, Bible and Quran-And Why It Matters for You
Riya Kumari | Feb 28, 2025, 23:18 IST
The Bible, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Quran aren’t here to make you feel small, or guilty, or trapped. They exist to remind you that you are part of something far bigger than yourself—but that doesn’t mean your struggles, your choices, or your existence don’t matter. They matter entirely. So, let’s look at what they actually say about life—not in the way we’re used to hearing, but in the way we need to understand.
If there’s one thing human beings have always done, it’s search for meaning. We build, we chase, we collect, we lose. And somewhere in between, we pause—just long enough to wonder, What was the point of all that? The answer isn’t new. It’s been sitting there for thousands of years, written in words most of us assume are “too old,” “too complex,” or “too religious” to have anything to do with modern life. But when you strip away the rituals, the translations, the layers of interpretation, you find something shockingly simple: the truth about being human.
(Bhagavad Gita: Do your duty, let go of results)
Every day, we fight for control. We plan, we predict, we calculate. And every day, life reminds us that none of it is guaranteed. A career collapses. A relationship ends. A plan unravels. And when that happens, we fall into the same trap: If I had just tried harder. If I had done more. If I could fix this now…
But the Bhagavad Gita gives an answer most of us don’t want to hear: You were never supposed to control the outcome. Krishna tells Arjuna, “You have a right to your work, but never to its fruits.” In other words, do what you must, but stop measuring your life by what happens next. That’s not passivity—it’s wisdom. Because the tighter you grip something, the more painful it is to lose. But when you surrender—not as defeat, but as trust—you learn to live freely. And that? That’s the real victory.
(Bible: Love thy neighbor, no conditions attached)
We love in conditions. We don’t admit it, but we do. I’ll be kind if they deserve it. I’ll forgive if they apologize. I’ll love if they love me first. But the Bible doesn’t describe love as a trade—it describes it as a state of existence. Jesus didn’t say, “Love your neighbor if they’re nice to you.” He just said, love your neighbor. Full stop.
Because real love—the kind that actually heals—has nothing to do with what you get in return. It exists because you choose to be that kind of person. Love like that isn’t weakness. It isn’t foolishness. It’s freedom. Because once you stop measuring whether someone deserves your love, you stop letting their behavior dictate the kind of person you want to be.
(Quran: Arrogance is blindness, humility is power)
Most of the world’s problems—personal or global—start the same way: someone decides they are better than someone else. Smarter. Holier. More important. And that belief justifies everything that follows. The Quran warns about this over and over again. It tells the story of Iblis, the fallen being who refused to bow because he thought he was superior. And that arrogance—more than his disobedience—is what made him blind.
Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself. It’s just understanding that you are not the only one who matters. The moment you start believing your time is more valuable, your pain is more real, your truth is the only truth—you stop seeing clearly. And when you stop seeing clearly, you live in a world of your own making, cut off from reality, cut off from wisdom. And the scariest part? You won’t even know it’s happening.
(Every sacred text: Growth comes through struggle)
Every story of transformation—whether it’s in the Bible, the Gita, or the Quran—has a moment where everything falls apart. Prophets are exiled. Kings are broken. Warriors face impossible battles. Pain is not new. And pain is not meaningless.
The Bible tells the story of Job, who lost everything he had, not as punishment, but as part of a test of faith. The Gita begins with Arjuna in despair, thinking he cannot go on. The Quran constantly reminds that hardship always comes with ease—even if you don’t see it yet. The lesson? When life falls apart, it’s not a sign that you’ve failed. It’s a sign that something is being stripped away—something that is not meant to define you. Pain is the fire that burns away the unnecessary. What’s left after? That is who you really are.
(Faith is trust, not proof)
Faith is often misunderstood. People think it means believing without question, or never doubting, or being absolutely sure about everything. But if that were true, why do so many sacred texts include stories of doubt? Moses questioned. Arjuna hesitated. Even the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) felt moments of fear. But faith was never about being free of doubt. It was about continuing despite it.
Faith is not knowing exactly where the road leads—it’s walking anyway. It’s trusting that even in the silence, even in the uncertainty, even when nothing makes sense, you are not walking alone. And if you understand that, then no matter what happens, no matter how many times life knocks you down—you will always get back up.
Life is not about winning. It’s not about getting what you want. It’s not about avoiding pain. It’s not about proving anything to anyone. It’s about becoming. Becoming the kind of person who is free from the need for control. Who gives love without keeping score. Who refuses to be trapped by their own ego. Who understands that pain is not an ending, but a transformation. Who walks forward, even when they cannot see.
Because in the end, the things you chase will fade. The things you fear will pass. But who you become—that stays with you. That is yours. That is the only thing that ever truly mattered. So, live wisely. Live well. And above all—keep going.
1. You Are Not in Control—And That’s a Good Thing
Climb rock
( Image credit : Pexels )
(Bhagavad Gita: Do your duty, let go of results)
Every day, we fight for control. We plan, we predict, we calculate. And every day, life reminds us that none of it is guaranteed. A career collapses. A relationship ends. A plan unravels. And when that happens, we fall into the same trap: If I had just tried harder. If I had done more. If I could fix this now…
But the Bhagavad Gita gives an answer most of us don’t want to hear: You were never supposed to control the outcome. Krishna tells Arjuna, “You have a right to your work, but never to its fruits.” In other words, do what you must, but stop measuring your life by what happens next. That’s not passivity—it’s wisdom. Because the tighter you grip something, the more painful it is to lose. But when you surrender—not as defeat, but as trust—you learn to live freely. And that? That’s the real victory.
2. Love Is Not a Transaction—It’s a Way of Being
Love
( Image credit : Pexels )
(Bible: Love thy neighbor, no conditions attached)
We love in conditions. We don’t admit it, but we do. I’ll be kind if they deserve it. I’ll forgive if they apologize. I’ll love if they love me first. But the Bible doesn’t describe love as a trade—it describes it as a state of existence. Jesus didn’t say, “Love your neighbor if they’re nice to you.” He just said, love your neighbor. Full stop.
Because real love—the kind that actually heals—has nothing to do with what you get in return. It exists because you choose to be that kind of person. Love like that isn’t weakness. It isn’t foolishness. It’s freedom. Because once you stop measuring whether someone deserves your love, you stop letting their behavior dictate the kind of person you want to be.
3. Your Ego Will Build You a Prison and Call It a Kingdom
Anger
( Image credit : Pexels )
(Quran: Arrogance is blindness, humility is power)
Most of the world’s problems—personal or global—start the same way: someone decides they are better than someone else. Smarter. Holier. More important. And that belief justifies everything that follows. The Quran warns about this over and over again. It tells the story of Iblis, the fallen being who refused to bow because he thought he was superior. And that arrogance—more than his disobedience—is what made him blind.
Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself. It’s just understanding that you are not the only one who matters. The moment you start believing your time is more valuable, your pain is more real, your truth is the only truth—you stop seeing clearly. And when you stop seeing clearly, you live in a world of your own making, cut off from reality, cut off from wisdom. And the scariest part? You won’t even know it’s happening.
4. Pain Isn’t the End—It’s the Opening
Anger
( Image credit : Pexels )
(Every sacred text: Growth comes through struggle)
Every story of transformation—whether it’s in the Bible, the Gita, or the Quran—has a moment where everything falls apart. Prophets are exiled. Kings are broken. Warriors face impossible battles. Pain is not new. And pain is not meaningless.
The Bible tells the story of Job, who lost everything he had, not as punishment, but as part of a test of faith. The Gita begins with Arjuna in despair, thinking he cannot go on. The Quran constantly reminds that hardship always comes with ease—even if you don’t see it yet. The lesson? When life falls apart, it’s not a sign that you’ve failed. It’s a sign that something is being stripped away—something that is not meant to define you. Pain is the fire that burns away the unnecessary. What’s left after? That is who you really are.
5. Faith Is Not About Certainty—It’s About Walking Anyway
Love
( Image credit : Pexels )
(Faith is trust, not proof)
Faith is often misunderstood. People think it means believing without question, or never doubting, or being absolutely sure about everything. But if that were true, why do so many sacred texts include stories of doubt? Moses questioned. Arjuna hesitated. Even the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) felt moments of fear. But faith was never about being free of doubt. It was about continuing despite it.
Faith is not knowing exactly where the road leads—it’s walking anyway. It’s trusting that even in the silence, even in the uncertainty, even when nothing makes sense, you are not walking alone. And if you understand that, then no matter what happens, no matter how many times life knocks you down—you will always get back up.
So, What’s the Point of It All?
Because in the end, the things you chase will fade. The things you fear will pass. But who you become—that stays with you. That is yours. That is the only thing that ever truly mattered. So, live wisely. Live well. And above all—keep going.