Editorial January 28, 1939 Issue

Controlling One's Thoughts

George Shaw Cook

In his second epistle to the Corinthians, Paul wrote of the advisability of "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Christians generally agree with this advice and are found striving to make their thinking Christlike. One of the things that followers of Christ Jesus seek to do is to control that which is called temper. They have seen in their daily contact with others the unpleasant, even, sometimes, disastrous effects of giving way to anger and other evil emotions. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes on page 234 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "You must control evil thoughts in the first instance, or they will control you in the second."

Many students of Christian Science, as well as those who are not students, have observed the effect of mortal thinking upon the functions of the so-called physical body. For example, it is quite generally admitted that fear immediately affects the circulation of the blood and anger impairs the function of digestion. Is it not reasonable to conclude, then, that a habitual tendency to be fearful might, in belief, result in a persistent sense of congestion, or that a chronic disposition to become angry might easily result in what is called chronic indigestion or some other difficulty? Knowing this to be a human fact, Mrs. Eddy, in the chapter called "Christian Science Practice," in Science and Health, says (p. 393): "Take possession of your body, and govern its feeling and action. Rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good. God has made man capable of this, and nothing can vitiate the ability and power divinely bestowed on man." And she continues in the next paragraph, "Be firm in your understanding that the divine Mind governs, and that in Science man reflects God's government."

It should be plain that one who does not control his temper might find it difficult to exercise control or dominion over his body. And yet many who would readily agree with this statement might have difficulty in seeing how to control their thoughts. They might wish very much to be rid of angry, hateful, fearful, and jealous thoughts; they might earnestly desire to bring their "every thought to the obedience of Christ," and yet be honestly in doubt as to how it could be accomplished. Christian Science has shown thousands how to go about this important task, and to the extent that they understand and obey its teachings, they are meeting with success.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Controlling One's Thoughts

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access