Editorial October 11, 1930 Issue

Reliance on God

Duncan Sinclair

On page 166 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy there is an arresting sentence which reads, "Instead of thrusting Him [God] aside in times of bodily trouble, and waiting for the hour of strength in which to acknowledge Him, we should learn that He can do all things for us in sickness as in health." Do not the words portray what is very general practice? How many professing Christians, when in trouble,—sick, perhaps,—do not make direct approach to God expectant of His aid, but, rather, turn to inanimate matter, hoping there to find the help of which they are in need! Surely if God is supreme, it is rational to think that men should place their reliance on Him, assured of His willingness to succor them.

Christian Science teaches how the fullest reliance can be placed on God at all times. It also teaches that in order to receive divine aid a knowledge of the nature of God and of His law is necessary, and also that obedience must be given to that law. Entreaty that God will come to one's aid is not in itself sufficient, although the petitionary attitude should always accompany prayer to God; there must likewise be an understanding of Him and of the relationship that exists between Him and His idea, man. Indeed, the help of God is received through the ever acting law of good in the ratio of one's spiritual understanding.

To put it somewhat differently, God is the infinitely good Mind, and man is Mind's perfect idea. Therefore, as Mind's idea, man is ever at-one with God. This means that man is never for an instant separate from omnipotence; never for an instant away from the perfect protection of divine Love. Whatever the difficulty a mortal may seem to be experiencing, the truth remains that our real spiritual selfhood never suffers, since it is ever at-one with God.

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