Article February 8, 1930 Issue

Power of Gratitude

MARGARET HOWES

"OH that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" Mrs. Eddy knew the value of such praise; and in Article VIII, Section 24, of the Manual of The Mother Church she writes: " 'Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's' (St. Paul). Testimony in regard to the healing of the sick is highly important. More than a mere rehearsal of blessings, it scales the pinnacle of praise and illustrates the demonstration of Christ, 'who healeth all thy diseases' (Psalms 103:3)." Obedience to this By-Law will result in ever increasing blessings, expressed in health, supply, and spiritual understanding.

Joy, peace, and happiness fill the heart in proportion to one's feeling and expression of gratitude. When one is busy counting his blessings and looking only for good in his experiences, he has little time to magnify a sense of ills and difficulties. Thought which is permeated with gratitude and appreciation for good already received, is prepared to receive more. Soon one's troubles begin to disappear, for there is no room for them in a mental house filled with good thoughts. Through rejoicing, which increases the true appreciation of one's blessings, the good news is shared that others also may rejoice.

When a student of Christian Science first learns that gratitude is an essential in the healing of any erroneous condition, he sometimes wonders what there is for which to be grateful. For him life may seem to hold nothing but gloom and sorrow. By opening his eyes to his blessings, however, he discovers much that cries out for rejoicing. At first, he can try to be glad that the sun is shining, the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, or that someone else is happy. Soon the contemplated joy will be flooding his own thought, making him happier, more cognizant of and thankful for all good. This very happiness, gratitude, and joy crowds out diseased and erroneous beliefs, replacing them with healthy, harmonious thoughts. Since the body manifests what is believed about it, healthy thoughts alone should be entertained, thoughts of harmony and love and joy and gratitude.

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