Article December 6, 1930 Issue

"Proofs of God's care"

CLIFFORD A. WOODARD

In a certain high school a teacher of mathematics frequently gave written tests during the hour allotted to his class. These tests consisted of four or five simple problems that could usually be solved by most of the students during the hour. On these occasions the teacher always selected two or three students who had been faithful in their work and had progressed to a point of understanding somewhat in advance of that of others in the class, and to these students he would give, not the comparatively easy test that he had prepared for the rest of the class, but just one very difficult problem. Those who were thus singled out never resented such treatment. They never murmured or complained because they had a more difficult problem to solve than the others. On the contrary, they were grateful for the confidence shown them by the teacher, and welcomed the opportunity to prove their understanding of the subject which they had been studying. If they were unable to solve the problem during the hour, they did not give it up, but took it home with them and worked at it until they obtained the solution. Then, with what a sense of joy and victory they took the solution to their teacher; and he invariably rejoiced with them!

In our human experience we seem at times to be confronted with very difficult problems, sometimes physical, sometimes mental, sometimes financial; problems of environment, of relationship, of disposition. Instead of yielding to self-pity and discouragement, we should approach them joyously and confidently, recognizing the problems as opportunities to prove that God is "a very present help in trouble."

"Trials are proofs of God's care," our beloved Leader has written in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 66). This does not mean that our loving Father-Mother God sends sickness, sin, and sorrow to torment His children; but it does mean that God provides the remedy for all these ills, and that His tender care can always be proved in time of trial.

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