Article April 16, 1927 ISSUE

The Power of Gratitude

LORA OLIVE SNIDER

We often hear of debts of gratitude. The Bible is full of commands that men offer praises unto God and be thankful for benefits received. But Christian Science emphasizes yet another aspect of gratitude to which the student sooner or later joyfully awakes—the power of gratitude. The Christian Scientist understands that the command to "enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise," arises from no need of God for the praises of men, but rather from their great need to offer such praise. It is much less a command than an admonition of wisdom.

Gratitude is a purely spiritual impulse, and embodies an unparalleled liberating power. An affirmation of a desired good may be weighted with so much of the baggage of doubt and fear as seriously to impede the action of Truth in our consciousness. But gratitude recognizes good as already possessed, and rejoices in its glorious actuality. Gratitude has wings of joy that unfold and mount upward the moment it is set free in consciousness. With ease it soars above the mists of mortal sense into the clear sunlight of spiritual vision. Because of this power to lift one above the enemy of false belief, gratitude becomes a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare; for, as Mrs. Eddy has pointed out in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 400), "By lifting thought above error, or disease, and contending persistently for truth, you destroy error."

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Poem
A Psalm of Faith
April 16, 1927
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit