A good friend of mine recently posted this image on his blog and shared his take – follow the link to Kyle Landis on the right if you’d like to read. I’m so drawn to this because I believe this image speaks truth that we don’t, or simply aren’t willing, to realize. Maybe this is what it means…I’m interested in your thoughts…
May 25, 2008 at 5:04 am
Its amazing how this image has captured & conveyed the often ignored or misunderstood aspect of life & God’s Wisdom. Beautiful image….beautiful messege. We can spot it instantly because we are seeing the whole picture & seeing it objectively. If only we could see the wisdom when we are in the picture.
“…and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allâh knows but you do not know.” (Al-Quran 2:216)
May 26, 2008 at 12:39 am
I agree, it’s much easier said than done. I believe this goes deeper than an image..I think this portrayal of “Blessed” goes against what so many people in my faith have been raised to believe. Being blessed by God can take many different forms – we’re never told that they will all be positive, nor that they will make sense to us. Only that God works for the good of those who love him.
Our perception of blessed must change…
May 26, 2008 at 6:08 am
“Our perception of blessed must change…”
Absolutely!
My faith does teach that we are blessed in all good & (apparent) bad that happens to us. Also, that we are tested through the bad & good things in life.
But, in the end it is all good & a source of blessing for a believer. Even the worst possible thing has in it the potential for some good. And we are chosen for it according to our strength.
Sadly, we lose that perspective when we complain about our failures.
Our response has to be a mix of gratitude & patience_ both HIGHLY encouraged & rewarded qualities in the sight of God.
May 27, 2008 at 8:12 pm
God is certainly capable of bringing good out of what we perceive as the worst possible scenario. Accepting this and surrendering control in the midst of trials is tough for anyone, no matter how strong your faith is. As humans, perspective is difficult to maintain!
“Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:3-4
Thanks for your response…I realize we believe different things about who God is and where these blessings come from. Do you mind sharing your story of faith?
May 30, 2008 at 6:50 am
My “Story of faith” is simple. Its about a belief that God is One. He is One in His Lorship, Dominion & Attributes, without any partners or similar like Him. He is the creator of all things.
He has created us (all humanbeings) for worship & made this short life as a test. How we fare in this test determines our eternal destination, after a meticulous accountability on the Day of Judgment.
The right belief in God coupled with good deeds is a requisite for being granted Paradise. Therefore, people are tested with different things. Some with poverty, some with wealth, some with sickness, with good health, with power, fame, loss of life,etc.
How are all these tests a form of blessings also?
One: like the above picture shows, one apparently bad/undesirable thing is giving rise to another good. Thats a blessing in this world.
Two: When we are tested with good things, we give thanks to God. This gratitude is added to our account of good deeds. Our good deeds will help us to pass the test of this life. Thus its a blessing. When we are tested with (apparently) bad things, we practice patience & not complain or harbor bad notions about God. This too adds to our good deeds & ultimately positively affects in attaining the final destination (i.e. Paradise).
With regards to my belief or perception of who God is. We worship God with a mix of fear & hope. They are both important. We ‘fear’ His Anger (at disobeying Him) & we ‘hope’ for His Compassion (at doing good deeds). He punishes & He rewards. But His Mercy is more than His Wrath. He is most forgiving to those who seek forgiveness. He shows the way to the one who seeks guidance. He is most Just & Wise. And His Mercy encompasses all things.
These are just a couple of Attributes of God from a list of more than hundred. As a Muslim, i see & believe in God in light of those Names & Attributes.
When i commented earlier that it is difficult to realize the blessing when we are the one in the picture, it is because we as human beings are short-sighted & weak. But the good things is…the harder the test, bigger the recompence with God. We just need to keep reminding ourselves that this will pass & that we would come out stronger person at the end_stronger in faith & character.
Sorry, if it all sounds too much. Perhaps because i’m going through my own test right now, that i felt so affected by this topic. I needed to give myself a reminder. Its cathartic.