It’s not a cliché that how we think matters. Important life decisions may feel like obstacles or opportunities, depending on how we think about them. Some situations may seem hopeless or bring us fears of making mistakes. Or, they can be opportunities to come to higher, more peaceful and productive views.
There are prayerful ways to make choices that bring harmony, grace, and healing and an assurance of good outcomes. So, where do we start?
The Bible tells us, “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God” (III John 1:11). This is often a moment-by-moment, hour-by-hour, day-by-day decision. The promise is that by consistently endeavoring to follow God, we will be able to make choices based on God’s assurance of good, rather than on fearful “what ifs.”
The study of Christian Science builds confidence in the presence and power of God, divine Mind, to help us find solutions and make decisions that are aligned with the highest moral thinking. We progress when we let go of things which no longer serve our advancing reliance on good. The Scriptures say: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalms 51:10).
Christ Jesus’ understanding of and trust in God were the source of his works. As we are willing to learn from him, we are guided rightly. The Bible tells us: “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1).
Jesus followed God by living purely, and we can follow his example by being innocent and loving children. This takes some effort on our part. In “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” Mary Baker Eddy says: “Simply asking that we may love God will never make us love Him; but the longing to be better and holier, expressed in daily watchfulness and in striving to assimilate more of the divine character, will mould and fashion us anew, until we awake in His likeness” (p. 4).
Jesus confronted countless difficult situations, but he knew, through the strong conviction that God is Love, that everlasting victory over evil results from doing right and steadfastly following our heavenly Father. When Jesus was arrested prior to his crucifixion, he refused to hate those who arrested him. When one of his followers cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, who was in the group who had come to take Jesus away, Jesus restored his ear (see Luke 22:47-51). Jesus saw the powerlessness of evil in its many forms, and his love was his protection and provision.
In this week’s Bible lesson in the “Christian Science Quarterly,” entitled “Everlasting Punishment,” we read: “Through the wholesome chastisements of Love, we are helped onward in the march towards righteousness, peace, and purity, which are the landmarks of Science” (Science and Health, p. 323).
Man is the loved child of God, not condemned because of wrongdoing, but having the opportunity to move away from sin – from wrong doing or thinking, which are obstructions to peace and healing – to everlasting good. And everlasting good includes everlasting harmony, health, and healing, which come through obedience to God’s laws of good.
It might seem at times as though we are dealing with obstacles that hinder or obstruct our progress. And that might feel like its own form of everlasting punishment. Carrying thoughts of hate or anger could seem to cause us unrelenting pain, sadness, frustration, or unhappiness. But we find progress and healing through the deep love Jesus expressed through compassion and forgiveness. As we heal ourselves, we can help to heal others and our world.
Many years ago a close friend hurt me through extremely unkind thoughts and actions. I was so stunned that for many days I didn’t even remember what errands I was supposed to be on. Reaching out to God in great need, I asked for guidance to be able to think clearly. The thought came that I needed to forgive. That seemed almost impossible, until the next thought came: You already have the ability to forgive because you are the child, the expression, of God, and God is Love. Forgiveness is part of love.
I was freed instantly! I went on to work harmoniously with the individual on a community service project, and our relationship was restored. This complete healing showed that we can always choose to follow God. And doing so reveals that there are no obstructions to divine Love.
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