Taking it for granted

The phrase “taking something for granted” has a couple of meanings.

• to fail to appreciate the value of something

• to accept something as true without questioning or testing it

We will talk about the first meaning in this article as we more often do it in our lives. Unfortunately we take so much for granted. We do not appreciate sometimes the simplest things in our lives that bring us so much pleasure. We do not seem to realize that we have so much more than most people in the world. Are we reflecting on God’s blessings to us and being appreciative?

It is the devil that wants us to be unappreciative, and wants us to forget where our blessings and provisions are coming from. We see the devil’s contention in the following verse.

[7:17]  “I will come to them from before them, and from behind them, and from their right, and from their left, and You will find that most of them are unappreciative.”

Therefore, we do not want to be influenced by the devil. God willing as believers, we make an effort to count our blessings, and not behave like most people.  It is a trait of the believers to be appreciative.

[14:34]  And He gives you all kinds of things that you implore Him for. If you count GOD’s blessings, you can never encompass them. Indeed, the human being is transgressing, unappreciative.

Better to realize before it is too late

How many times we have realized that we didn’t truly appreciate someone or something, or that we have come to expect it all the time? God willing, such realization does not happen after we lose what we have, and cannot bring it back. Therefore we should constantly be thinking about and thankful for the blessings that God bestowed on us. Guess what, if we appreciate what we have, God blesses us with even more. What a deal!

[14:7]  Your Lord has decreed: “the more you thank me, the more I give you.” But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is severe.

Therefore, being thankful and appreciative is for our own good. This fleeting life is going to pass sooner or later, and we will all face God, the Almighty as individuals. It is God’s promise to reward the appreciative people. If we choose to ignore the blessings God have given us, and do not recognize God’s hand in our lives, we are the ones who lose. God is in no need, Praiseworthy.

[30:34]  Let them be unappreciative of what we have given them. Enjoy temporarily; you will surely find out.

[3:145]  No one dies except by GOD’s leave, at a predetermined time. Whoever seeks the vanities of this world, we give him therefrom, and whoever seeks the rewards of the Hereafter, we bless him therein. We reward those who are appreciative.

[39:7]  If you disbelieve, GOD does not need anyone. But He dislikes to see His servants make the wrong decision.

Cont’d on page 2