How the Ignorant Perceive Things That Happen
In general, people tend to divide events in terms of good and bad. Such
a classification often depends on their habits or tendencies. Their reactions
to events alternate depending on the severity and form which the event
takes; yet, what they ultimately feel and experience is usually determined
by societal conventions.
Almost everyone has remnants of his childhood dreams, even in his later
life. Although, these plans may not always have developed in the way one
expected or planned. We are all constantly prone to unexpected events
in life. Such an event, in an instant, can throw our lives into complete
disarray. While one is intent on his life progressing as normal, he may
be confronted with a series of changes that might at first sight seem
negative. An otherwise healthy person may suddenly succumb to a fatal
disease, or lose some physical ability in accident. Again, a wealthy person
may lose all his wealth instantly.
People's reactions to such a roller-coaster of experiences can vary greatly.
Their reactions are good as long as events turn out favourably. Yet, when
faced with the unexpected, they tend to feel disappointed, and even angry.
Depending on the importance they attach to these events, and their ultimate
outcomes, their anger may become quite severe. This tendency is common
to societies mired in ignorance.
There are also those among them who, when something disappoints them,
nevertheless say, "There must be a goodness in this." However, these are
words which they mouth without understanding their true meaning, merely
following societal conventions.
There is still another group of people, who are willing to consider what
divine purpose there may be in trivial occurrences. But, when faced with
more significant happenings, which may prove detrimental to them, all
of a sudden, they forget any such intention. For instance, a person may
not be distressed at the failure of his car engine on his way to work,
and be willing to consider the possible good in it. Yet, if his being
late for work infuriates his boss, or turns out to be a reason for his
losing his job, then he finds reason to complain. He might behave the
same way if it had been an item of jewellery instead of an inexpensive
watch he had lost. As these examples indicate, there are certain minor
events for which people may react reasonably, or in which they are willing
to consider its good; but other more extraordinary instances can lead
them to justify insolence and irascibility.
Some, on the other hand, merely seek to console with this notion, without
actually having a grasp of the true significance of "seeking the good
in everything". In this manner, they believe it to be a way of providing
comfort to those who are in trouble, to a family member with a failing
business, for instance, or a friend who has failed an exam. However, when
it is their own interests that are at stake, they do not show the slightest
indication of considering the "good" in it, making light of their ultimate
ignorance.
The failure to see the good in what one experiences arises from the failings
of one's faith. One's failure to grasp that it is God Who preordains each
and every event in one's life, that everything occurs in accordance to
a certain pre-planned destiny, and that the life of this world is but
a trial, are what hinder him from recognizing any good in all that befalls
him.
In the following section, we will explore this notion. That is, having
faith that there is good in what ever befalls us, and those factors essential
for being able to see it.
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