We Never Lose

Living Emunah By Rabbi David Ashear

There are times when people seem to be doing everything right, but everything seems to be going wrong for them. During those times it is natural to feel discouraged and ask oneself, why should I continue on this path when it doesn't seem like Hashem is appreciating what I do anyway? Sometimes a person learns about a good practice to take on that is supposed to produce a result that he is waiting for, but then when he tries it, just the opposite happens and he's left wondering, what went wrong here? Someone once told me, whenever I thank Hashem, I feel like whatever I'm thanking Him for suddenly gets taken away. This has led this woman to be fearful to thank Hashem. She wants to be appreciative, but she is afraid of doing it because she doesn't want to lose as a result. What is the proper outlook to have in these circumstances? We must ingrain in our minds the midrash in parashat Re'eh which says, "אמר הקב"ה, אין אדם שומע לי ומפסיד – Hashem Himself tells us, nobody will ever lose by listening to Me." Which means, when it seems like things are going wrong because of our good deeds, it's just the yetzer hara trying to throw us off, or it is a test that Hashem is giving us so we can earn even more rewards for persevering. Hashem might make it appear as though we are losing as a result of the good that we are doing, but in reality we are not losing. Of course that woman should continue thanking Hashem with confidence. She'll be rewarded more for her efforts because of the test that she is being put though. And without a question, she will only gain from each time she appreciates what Hashem does for her. Chazal teach us, שלוחי מצוה אינם ניזוקין– people involved in the performance of a mitzvah will not get harmed. What happens when we see a person involved in a mitzvah and he does seem to get harmed? That is when we say, we don't understand, but for sure he was not harmed. What appears to us to be harm is in actuality a blessing for him in disguise. A man told me he got married 13 years ago and had a very lively wedding with all of his friends there. During the dancing, one of his good friends fell hard and shattered his knee. That friend was so upset about what occurred and it bothered him for years. He was involved in a mitzvah called simchat chatan , he was dancing to gladden the groom, how could he get damaged through the performance of that mitzvah? Seven years later, this man was diagnosed with cancer in the knee area. At that time, there was an experimental treatment that was only being given to select people. After running many tests on him, his doctor said to him because he was in such great shape, he qualified for the experimental treatment. Then the doctor asked him how he was in such top shape? The man replied because of what happened to his knee seven years before, he went through a lot of therapy and, seeing the benefits of all that exercise, he continued with it even after he was completely healed. Baruch Hashem, that experimental treatment turned out to be perfect for him, and he was totally cured from his sickness. What seemed to be damage at that wedding was actually paving the way for him to, b'ezrat Hashem, live a long and healthy life. We never lose by doing good. It might appear that way sometimes, but it is only a test. If we continue doing the right things despite those obstacles, we'll just be rewarded even more. And one day, we will see how everything that transpired was always the greatest benefit for us.