Man’s turning to God at times of distress is a clear sign of him being disposed and created on believing in God; though, when his adversity is removed he forgets everything and becomes ungrateful again.
According to the holy Quran, man has a natural inclination toward God and worshipping Him. That is why belief in God or some other deity or deities, due to ignorance of the Real creator, has been an inseparable aspect of man’s life. Referring to this inherent disposition, the Quran says,
Be devoted to the upright religion. It is harmonious with the nature which God has designed for people. The design of God cannot be altered. Thus is the upright religion, but many people do not know. (30:30)
As long as this natural disposition is in its upright state, man has an inclination toward his Creator and considers all he has blessings bestowed by his Creator. The problem is, many a time worldly engagements make man neglect this natural disposition. As a result of that he considers material and worldly causes to be independently effective and thus, forgets about his Lord. In such a case, if he faces a difficulty or hardship he will become desperate and hopeless,
When We bless man, he is disregardful and turns aside; but when an ill befalls him, he is despondent. (17:83)
Based on the above, man is in either of two states: either he acts according to his God-given nature or he is negligent of this inherent disposition. If his God-given nature is not vailed by worldly matters, at all times, whether in hardship or ease, his reliance is on God and he considers whatever he has a blessing from Him, but if he neglects this nature, material life and worldly engagements will make him forget this inherent nature and, consequently, he will forget God, the Real source of all blessings. When this happens, God may afflict him with hardship and difficulty so that he may turn back to Him,
And when affliction visits you upon the sea, then there go astray those on whom you call except Him and when He delivers you to land, you turn away. Man is ever unthankful. (17:67)
How many a time man, in desperation, implores his Lord to take away from his affliction, but after God saves him, he forgets his Lord and becomes ungrateful again,
It is He who carries you across land and sea. When you are in the ships, and they sail with them with a favorable wind, rejoicing in it, there comes upon them a tempestuous wind and waves assail them from every side, and they think that they are besieged, they invoke Allah putting exclusive faith in Him, "If You deliver us from this, we will surely be among the grateful." But when He delivers them, behold, they commit violations on the earth unduly! O mankind! Your violations are only to your own detriment. [These are] the wares of the life of this world; then to Us will be your return, whereat We will inform you concerning what you used to do. (10:22-23)
Man’s turning to God at times of distress is a clear sign of him being disposed and created on believing in God; though, when his adversity is removed he forgets everything and becomes ungrateful again.