“A person is obligated to say a blessing
for the bad things just as he is responsible to say it for the good.” ~ Berachot 33b
Having an
understanding of where we are in the world is important. When we know where
we stand chaos is minimized; confusion is reduced. In such a mind-set
everything has a place and makes sense. There is a purpose to all
things. Nothing is extraneous. Nothing is lost.
The famous Rabbi Akiva is a
prime example of someone who possessed a worldview that enabled him to lead a
rich life. Akiva’s life was far from ideal. He was an impoverished
and illiterate shepherd. He had virtually no possessions, certainly
nothing of real value. Akiva fell in love with the daughter of a
rich landowner. Embarrassed by his
ignorance Akiva spent years separated from her trying to make up his lack of
learning. His father-in-law had such a low opinion of him that he severed
his relations with his daughter when she informed him of her love for the poor
and ignorant shepherd.
Akiva’s guiding principle
in life was, “Everything God does is for our good.” Now, that did not
mean that Akiva joyfully embraced the painful and terrible things that happened
to him, but he understood that even bitter medicine was still medicine.
Every event in his life had kernels of growth hidden inside. It was his
task to find it and grow from it.
We have heard people say,
“It is God’s will,” when bad things happen. Such a way of thinking is
akin to making the best of every situation and accepting that we can grow and
learn from any experience. Railing against reality does us no good while
asking what we can learn from a situation affords great opportunity.
“Blessed
is God day by day. He bears our burdens. The Lord is our salvation.
Selah.”
~ Psalm 68:17
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