Article October 16, 1943 Issue

Opportunities

JAMES H. SHEAR

In "Miscellaneous Writings" our dear Leader. Mary Baker Eddy, avers (p. 200): "Christians to-day should be able to say, with the sweet sincerity of the apostle, 'I take pleasure in infirmities,'—I enjoy the touch of weakness, pain, and all suffering of the flesh, because it compels me to seek the remedy for it, and to find happiness, apart from the personal senses."

This forceful and also thought-provoking statement by Mrs. Eddy challenges the attention of every student of Christian Science, and may even cause some resistance in his thought, for mortal mind argues against its acceptance, reasoning that "weakness, pain, and all suffering of the flesh" are anything but joyous experiences. However, as the student plumbs the depths of Mrs. Eddy's writings, and through consecrated study and application of her teachings progresses in his ability to prove for himself the healing efficacy of Christian Science, he learns to reject the aggressive mental suggestion of carnality that would tempt him to challenge Truth. Contrariwise he turns his thought Godward for the inspiration and unfoldment that will show him the way not only to accept every challenge of Truth, but also to be blessed by the experience.

In this way is revealed to him the understanding which enables him to see all difficulties and adverse circumstances, personal or otherwise, not alone as problems, but as opportunities to demonstrate God's allness. Particularly is this so after a careful analysis of Webster's first definition of the word "problem," which reads. "A question proposed for solution." Thorough study of the manner in which Mrs. Eddy makes use of the word in the Christian Science textbook. "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," results in the conclusion that he too can "take pleasure in infirmities," and demonstrate the fact that "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" frees "from the law of sin and death." Such joyous acceptance of error's negative challenge for dominion places us in a position quickly to master the situation and prove God's allness, as well as His ever-availability in times of stress.

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