Article September 15, 1945 Issue

Tempered Wind

THELMA E. WHITE

Isaiah described Jesus as "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isa. 53:3), yet it was the Master who uttered those words that have lightened many a heart (Matt. 5:4), "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Jesus never asked others to do something which he knew could not be fulfilled.

To a family who were feeling bereft and desolate when a loved one passed on, a Christian Science practitioner brought quick healing. She explained that Jesus had proved the unreality of death for us all. She also pointed out that, although they could no longer see and converse with the loved one, he surely was going on, working out his salvation as he had while he was with them. She made clear to them that nothing could happen to man's real selfhood, for a spiritual idea cannot be touched or destroyed by bullet or bomb, disease or death. Peace flooded the consciousness of the family, and serenity accompanied the necessary adjustments in their human life. One of the family was particularly comforted by the words of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 275): "May the great Shepherd that 'tempers the wind to the shorn lamb,' and binds up the wounds of bleeding hearts, just comfort, encourage, and bless all who mourn." This loving invocation brought hope and courage.

It is the human sense which says, "I am bereft! I am alone!" Spiritual sense corrects this lying sense of aloneness with the truth that God is our Father-Mother, All. Isaiah says, "Thy Maker is thine husband" (Isa. 54:5). Declaring these truths stanchly, so as to exclude from thought a personal and material sense of loss, brings comfort and relief, as the writer knows.

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