Article August 14, 1954 Issue

THE HEALING POWER OF GRATITUDE

GEORGIA LA FOLLETTE SCHAD

Gratitude is one of the important factors of healing, for it evidences one's realization of the presence of Truth and Love. As Christ Jesus went about his Father's business, working the works of God, healing the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead, gratitude played a vital part in his demonstrations of Truth. Many were the proofs of spiritual power wrought by his understanding of divine Principle. He demonstrated that good alone is real.

Christian Science links gratitude with action. Mary Baker Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 3): "Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech." Christ Jesus expressed his gratitude by right action at the tomb of Lazarus; and there he demonstrated the power of gratitude by raising the dead. A dark, apparently hopeless picture presented itself to Lazarus' sisters. They told the Master that their brother had lain in the grave for four days. They were in great sorrow, as they believed it was too late to do anything about it. However, Jesus was confident of the power of divine Life. He approached the grave, and there he overcame death. We read (John 11:41), "Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me." Jesus' first words at the tomb were words of gratitude to the Father. Immediately the gloomy tomb was turned into a glorious opportunity for rejoicing. Graveclothes were cast away and grief turned into joy and thanksgiving as Lazarus came forth alive.

It should be noted that Christ Jesus did not look into the tomb, but he looked up from it to the Father, away from the unreal shadows of material sense. Jesus perceived man made in the image and likeness of God. He knew that the man of God's creating expresses and reflects God, eternal Life; that he cannot change, become impaired, sick, sinful, or dead; that he remains as perfect as God is perfect. He said to the Father, "I knew that thou hearest me always," indicating the unchangeableness of good. He proved that Life is changeless and deathless.

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"I WAS FREE BORN"
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