Article November 14, 1953 Issue

TRUE HUMILITY BRINGS THE STRENGTH OF SPIRIT

PAULINE B. RADER

The world has long admired strength. Strong bodies and strength of character are considered estimable qualifications for successful living. The ancient Greeks laid great stress upon physical prowess. Our own Olympic games are an outgrowth of this admiration for physical strength and endurance. Much time and effort go into building what are called strong bodies and healthy minds. Humility, on the other hand, is not always admired, because it is often coupled with weakness instead of with strength. A humble person is sometimes thought to be one who is easily imposed upon rather than one who is free from pride and arrogance.

Christian Scientists accede to the advantages of strong bodies and strength of character, but they approach the desired result from a standpoint different from that generally taken. Their premise is that since in reality we are made in the image and likeness of God, we derive our true strength from cultivating spiritual resources rather than from concentrating on building up physical bodies and exercising human minds. Christian Scientists find authority for their position in Jesus' words (John 6:63), "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." The life-giving, health-giving Word of God is the same in all ages, and we may always draw upon Spirit for our life and strength.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy writes (p. 393): "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." How shall we best avail ourselves of this strength of Spirit? We can begin by gaining a right understanding of humility.

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