Article February 15, 1913 Issue

DOUBT OVERCOME

EMILY A. ASHCROFT.

From the story of Gideon, as found in the book of Judges, many useful lessons and much encouragement may be gained by those who are striving, against seeming odds, to realize and demonstrate the truth of Christian Science. Gideon was performing his duties under a great sense of fear, and was trying to hide his doings from the eyes of surrounding enemies. How often are we, as students of Christian Science, afraid to let our light shine, forgetting the ever-presence of protecting Love! But if we have been working faithfully, infinite wisdom is sure to find us work to do, as in Gideon's case.

To him an angel appeared, and commanded him to deliver the Israelites from the hands of the Midianites. How did Gideon receive the command? He first expressed doubt as to the willingness of God to help him; then self-depreciation crept into his mentality; and even when Truth had declared the falsity of these claims of mortal mind, he still doubted, and demanded a visible sign that God was with him. Three times was a sign given, proving that Love "suffereth long, and is kind." Though we doubt again and again. Love is always at hand to bless us, and to reward the slightest sign of trustfulness. Infinite Love never leaves us, is never impatient, but ever constant and ever active in our behalf.

At length Gideon was convinced that it was his duty to deliver Israel from the enemy. Gathering all the human aid which he could summon, he prepared for battle. Again Truth spoke to him, and showed him that his reliance still rested on material means instead of upon Spirit. The word of Truth was: "The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me;" in other words, mortal mind would try to monopolize the power which belongs solely to Spirit. We need to guard our thoughts against this subtle error. When we are striving to realize the true source of our supply, how often reliance upon material ways and means tries to force an entrance into our thoughts! Like Gideon, we have to learn to stop relying upon anything but Spirit's resources, and then our problem is solved. Very often the solution is totally different from what we expected, and the method by which it is worked out proves that an intelligence far greater than that of any mortal has been engaged, and that "Soul has infinite resources with which to bless mankind" (Science and Health, p. 60).

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DOUBT OVERCOME

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