The Bible Speaks to You November 5, 1966 Issue

[The above is an abbreviated, postproduction text of the program released for broadcast the week of October 28-November 3 in the radio series, "The Bible Speaks to You." Heard internationally over approximately 1,000 stations, the weekly programs are prepared and produced by the Christian Science Committee on Publication, 107 Falmouth Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.]

RADIO PROGRAM NO. 239 - How Do You React?

Announcer: If you're out driving your car and someone cuts in front of you without warning, how do you react? The way we react to the things that others do or say can have a direct bearing on our lives, on how we get along with others, and even on our health.
Questioner: I can see how one's reactions to situations confronting him might cause serious problems unless he's careful about the way he reacts.
Speaker: We need to be honest and ask ourselves what is determining our reactions.

The Bible tells us we can respond on a higher basis than simply being animallike in our reactions. It says, for example, referring to God and to man's relationship to Him (Isa. 45:13), "I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways." This higher basis is true not only of ourselves but also of the other fellow.

If someone, for instance, speaks rudely to you, you can react in the same manner; but that will only make the problem more severe. We have a choice, however. We can respond in a way that brings harmony to the situation.
Questioner: Suppose somebody has gypped us. Harmony is not our first interest then, is it?
Speaker: I think our first interest is to have command of our own thinking. Then we're in a mental position to deal impersonally with the situation, to see what it is and handle it with wisdom and judgment. Being disturbed doesn't lessen the difficulty or contribute to a solution of it. Our strength is in the control of our own thought through intelligence and understanding.