Man, created in the image and likeness of God, is satisfied, always has been, and always will be, for satisfaction is a present quality of being. One who understands this truth may express satisfaction as naturally as intelligence or love. Man, as God's reflection, cannot help existing at the standpoint of perfect satisfaction. Mrs. Eddy points out: "Deity was satisfied with His work. How could He be otherwise, since the spiritual creation was the outgrowth, the emanation, of His infinite self-containment and immortal wisdom?" ^{Science and Health, p. 519;}

The real identity of each one of us expresses the divine completeness and is therefore entirely free from the unsatisfied sense that accompanies materiality. A mortal may seek gratification through such selfish drives as liquor, immorality, and tobacco, but the individual who is armed with the spiritual understanding of man's true identity is not deceived by the false picture and is consequently not subject to these enticements of matter. Satisfaction comes not from outside but from within. It is inherent in man's native makeup, a spiritual component of infinite being.

What can we do if we feel that we are in the grip of some enslaving habit that obscures our natural dominion, purity, and freedom? First of all, we can purify our concept of ourself, rejoicing with spiritual conviction in the words of John, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." ^{I John 3:2;} We must claim what we are and disclaim what we are not. As a son of God, man does not possess a material past in which a sinful habit could begin or repeat itself.

We do not think of a table as having a desire, because there is no mentality there. Likewise there is no mentality in matter to oppose God, the one and only Mind, or to formulate a desire for selfindulgence. No sensation in matter means no desire in matter, no desire for matter. Because the real man embodies all good and supreme satisfaction, he does not want for anything. Understanding these spiritual truths, we can continually affirm, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." ^{Ps. 23:1;} Under the shepherding of Mind we cannot be conscious of lack, unsatisfied hunger or thirst, displacement, barren or bitter states and stages.

If we believe that evil can cling to us, we need to know that good alone inheres in man. Only God, good, holds man in His embrace. The carnal mind cannot see or find the real man. It has no avenues through which to reach him. Hid with Christ, Truth, man can be touched only by divine Love.

False laws of physical attraction, heredity, nerve systems, are null and void in the presence of real law, God's law of divine satisfaction. Mrs. Eddy declares: "The only law of sickness or death is a law of mortal belief, an infringement on the merciful and just government of God. When this great fact is understood, the spurious, imaginary laws of matter—when matter is not a lawgiver—will be disputed and trampled under the feet of Truth. Deal, then, with this fabulous law as with an inhuman State law; repeal it in mind, and acknowledge only God in all thy ways,—'who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.'" ^{The People's Idea of God, p. 12;}

Sensuality can find no response in us, for God's control is already present and established. Petty sense dreams cannot encroach on the grandeur of our spiritual integrity. Sensualism has no foundation, no pattern, no habitual state. A false appetite cannot enforce itself, for in reality there is no law to support it. The real man is immune to animality.

A pure motive or desire can be the savior in any situation. Divine Love can indeed lift any individual from the dream of degradation, disease, and death to the full pureness of life in Spirit.

The following steps taken by each of us can ensure for us a new life, a divine satisfaction that cannot fade but grows stronger throughout eternity: a persistent effort to press through to the Christ, Truth; wholehearted repentance and regeneration illustrated by deeds; and a sincere desire to advance the healing mission of pure Christianity through the activities of The Mother Church and its branches. These steps will bring a satisfaction never known before. Complete satisfaction is based on complete acceptance of the basic premise of perfect God and perfect man.

Like the Master, Christ Jesus, and according to the teachings of Christian Science, we must be ruthless and swift in the ejection of error, literally divorcing it from the concept of ourselves or others. Speaking directly to the unclean spirit, let us command, "'Hold thy peace, and come out of him.'" ^{Mark 1:25;} We must know that evil habit, impure desire, false appetite, apathy, wickedness, have no roots, no soil, no growth. Let us deny ungodlikeness a hold or activity, a substance to control, a pattern to follow. The only true pattern is Christ. The only true influence is divine.

Mrs. Eddy gives us the spiritual ideas that enable us to realize and prove the fact that man as the outcome of God forever reflects divine freedom, happiness, and satisfaction. She writes, "Man was not created from a material basis, nor bidden to obey material laws which Spirit never made; his province is in spiritual statutes, in the higher law of Mind." ^{Science and Health, p. 307.}

The world tempts us to believe that because of war, injustice, discordant relationships, poverty, hardship, and physical inharmony we can never achieve satisfaction. An unsatisfied sense of things denotes a lack of sufficient understanding of God and of man's unbroken relationship to Him and all He includes. The source of all satisfaction lies in the absolute fact that man reflects all that God includes, the whole of God, the All-in-all of the divine Esse.

Man satisfied is the true estimate, for in every consciousness burns the light of Immanuel, or "God with us." This pure radiance glows forever, revealing your innate purity and mine, our real identity and divine satisfaction.