Four Elixir

A young man has tried to provide a solid foundation for his family. But he found a void at the bottom of his heartstrings. He was stricken with anxiety and lost his way in life. The situation is getting worse day by day. He decided to go to the doctor before it became too late.

After listening to his complaints, the doctor gave 4 packets of medicine while ordering; “Tomorrow morning before 9 a.m. you must go to the beach alone carrying all 4 packets of this medicine. Do not bring your phone. Also do not bring books or magazines. On the beach you will open the medicine package according to the time recorded on the package, namely at 9 o’clock, 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock and 5 o’clock. By following the prescription inside, I am sure that your illness will be cured.”

The young man was between believing and doubting the doctor’s prescription. However, the next day he went to the beach as well. As soon as he arrived on the coast in the morning, while the morning sun began to appear on the eastern horizon and the blue sea reflected back its golden-red rays, as the roar of the waves came one after another, his heart filled with great joy.

At exactly 9 o’clock, he opened the first package of medicine. But he couldn’t find any medicine inside, just a piece of paper with the words: “Listen”. The young man obeyed what was told. He then sat quietly listening to the whirr of the beach breeze and the pounding waves that broke the shoreline. He was even slowly able to listen to each of his own heartbeats that blended with the melodies of natural music on the beach. For so long he had never sat down and became as calm as he is today. He was too busy with his business. At this moment he felt as if his soul was washed clean.

12 o’clock exactly. He opened the second package of medicine. Of course, as with the first package, no medicine was found except for a piece of paper that read: “Remembering”. He moved on from listening to that beautiful, cozy beach music and slowly remembered every trace of his own steps since childhood. He recalled his school days, remembering his parents who always flashed love on their faces. He also remembers all the friends he loved and of course also loved him. He felt a mass of strength and warmth of life emanating from his inner foundation.

When he opened the third package at 3 o’clock, he found a piece of paper with the inscription: “Weighing and assessing motivation”. He closed his eyes, focusing his attention on reassessing his first intentions as he built his venture. At that time, the main inspiration for him to open his business was to persistently work to serve the needs of others. But when his business has now acquired its shape, he forgets this and only thinks about the benefits that will be obtained. Advantage is now the master of himself, he has turned into an egoistic human being, and forgets to pay attention to the fate of others. Now that he seems to have been able to see the root of his own disease, he finds a reason that always makes him anxious.

When the sun was gone and the expanse of sea turned red, he opened the last package of his medicine. It read: “Write all your anxieties on the shore”. He went to the shore, then wrote the word “anxious”. The waves came in unison and erased what he had just written. The shoreline seemed to be swept away, the word “anxious” he had just written was lost to the waves.

Who is the main character in the above story? We. We are often overwhelmed with anxiety like that young man. Have we ever sincerely listened to our own inner language? Or have we ever remembered all the sweet and bitter things that happened in the past that have shaped who we are today? What is the main motivation of our lives today and tomorrow? And what is our anxiety?

Let’s write down every burden and anxiety we have to our Creator. Leave all our worries, anxieties, fears and problems to Him. For He Himself once said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).