Article October 28, 1933 Issue

Our True Sufficiency

[Written Especially for Young People]

VERA CROSS

When problems confront us, no matter what their nature, we have an ever present help in solving them if we will apply the great truths stated in the Bible and in the Christian Science textbook. The student in school has a wonderful opportunity to apply the truth as he is confronted with both minor tests and major examinations. Every test or examination presents a problem of some sort to be worked out accurately. As the student approaches the problem with the assurance that divine Mind governs all and that "there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed," he finds less difficulty in passing the test or the examination.

A student of Christian Science who was studying journalism found that she was facing each story or assignment in great fear—fear that she would receive a poor report, fear of her own inability to rise to the required standard. One morning a story was returned to the student, and this increased her doubts and fears. She read it through and then put it aside. Mortal mind strongly argued: "What's the use? You will never be a journalist. Why go on studying and thinking and writing? Why not give it up and turn to something else?" But the student did not entertain these arguments long. She picked up her books and read the Christian Science Bible Lesson for that week. One passage on page 488 of Science and Health arrested her attention: "Mind alone possesses all faculties, perception, and comprehension." This led her to see that she, as a child of God, divine Mind, expressed true faculties, perception, and comprehension. So-called mortal mind could never rise to that standard, because it is unreal, full of doubt, fear, and worry. Seeing this, the student turned with joy to further study. She again picked up the textbook and read (p. 89): "Mind is not necessarily dependent upon educational processes. It possesses of itself all beauty and poetry, and the power of expressing them." Then, thought the student, as an idea of Mind man is not dependent on educational processes, but possesses by reflection beauty, poetry, and prose, and the power of expressing perfection, intelligence, individuality, coherence, and right ideas. With these spiritual truths sustaining and guiding her, the student joyously turned to the assignment at hand. How easy it was to write! How unhampered were the ideas which flowed to her!

A well-known Bible passage found in II Corinthians tells us: "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God." Among other meanings of the word "sufficient," this definition is given: "Possessing adequate talents or accomplishments." How true it is that all of our talents and accomplishments come directly from God. Without an understanding of God, divine Mind, we cannot be sure of achieving success. Let us, then, turn to God, our loving Father-Mother, in every circumstance, whether the problem be small or great, and He will surely hear and answer our prayer. Let us with humility ask God to guide us in the way.

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