Article January 22, 1972 Issue

Healing the Heart

ARTHUR O. PAULSON

Heart is metaphorically regarded, in the Bible and elsewhere, as the source of one's intellect and activity. In Proverbs we read, "Out of [the heart] are the issues of life."^{Prov. 4:23;}In Psalms: "The law of his God is in his heart."^{Ps. 37:31;} And Solomon prayed for "an understanding heart."^{I Kings 3:9;} Heart stands for the seat of our emotions, our basis of reasoning, the repository and directive center of thought, will, feeling, and conscience.

In Christian Science we learn that all physical effect has a mental cause, and that as a man "thinketh in his heart, so is he."^{Prov. 23:7;}We read all too often that a man has suffered a heart attack, as if the heart attacked the man. But isn't it rather that the man attacks his heart by slow strangulation through a false sense that life is material and governed by material law? He believes he can hate, be fearful, be revengeful, indulge in myriad forms of mortal thinking and acting, and he reaps the difficulties his thought has sown. Are not these the things that can bind and entangle the heart until it falters in a greater or lesser degree?

How do we prevent heart trouble? We must put off the old man and put on the new. That is, in our prayers and our lives we must hold to the truth that man is spiritual, God's child, free from mortal discord. Christ Jesus taught that the pure in heart see God. A new, purified heart is necessary to the new man. Christian Science can give us that new heart, that new consciousness, that new character and quality of thought that displaces mortal ills with love and the truth that makes us free.

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