Appreciation is an Antidote

According to Dictionary.com, antidote is a medicine taken to counteract a particular poison. If you were to be bitten by a rattlesnake (not very common, I agree, but possible here in the desert), you would be given antivenom. It works by boosting the immune responses in your body to let your body fight the invader. Antidotes may prevent the absorption of the toxin; may neutralize the toxin; or may inhibit the toxin from converting to something even more poisonous.

If you asked what is the “universal antidote”, the response would be anything having activated charcoal as its principal ingredient. And that may well be true for attacks on our body. But our soul is also subject to attack by the poisonous forces of Satan. Humans have been created with many negative characteristics—impatience, jealousy, stinginess—and Satan knows how to exploit those traits to lead people astray. It’s important that we find the antidote to save our soul.

We know that turning to God is the only thing that can save us.

[7:200] When the devil whispers to you any whisper, seek refuge in GOD; He is Hearer, Omniscient.

 

[23:97] Say, “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the whispers of the devils. [23:98] “And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they come near me.”

And just as God has provided us with antidotes to viruses and poisons that attack our bodies, He has also given us a powerful antidote to Satan and to all of the many human failings that cause us to turn away from God. That antidote is appreciation.

[3:145]…. We reward those who are appreciative.

[39:66] Therefore, you shall worship GOD alone, and be appreciative.

And as Luqmãn informed his son in 31:12: “You shall be appreciative of GOD.” Whoever is appreciative is appreciative for his own good. As for those who turn unappreciative, GOD is in no need, Praiseworthy.

Jealousy is a powerful emotion. It can cause all sorts of problems between people. [42:14] Ironically, they broke up into sects only after the knowledge had come to them, due to jealousy and resentment among themselves. If it were not for a predetermined decision from your Lord to respite them for a definite interim,

they would have been judged immediately. Indeed, the later generations who inherited the scripture are full of doubts.

There’s a strong desire among humans to have what someone else has, plus a little more. People resent the fortune of another. If we look instead at what we have, at how we are blessed, it’s easier to let go of a jealous reaction. Be appreciative of where you are and what God has given you. Maybe your neighbor’s car is newer, his house is nicer. But, to have a house, a car, good health, these are things to appreciate and rejoice in. Don’t compare, celebrate. Appreciation is the antidote to jealousy.

And when we can achieve that, God promises us: [7:43] We will remove all jealousy from their hearts. Rivers will flow beneath them, and they will say, “GOD be praised for guiding us. We could not possibly be guided, if it were not that GOD has guided us. The messengers of our Lord did bring the truth.” They will be called: “This is your Paradise. You have inherited it, in return for your works.”

We may be tested through our lives. It’s how we respond to the adversity that shows where we are on our submission journey.

Cont'd on page 2