Article June 27, 1977 Issue

Times of trouble can be put to use

Making Obstacles Serve Our Growth

ELIZABETH E. SWEDER

All of us can learn to expect good in our lives. Ample provision, protection from harm, the healing as well as prevention of disease, are natural, and we come to expect these as we learn through Christian Science of the harmonious, spiritual nature of God and man and the universe. How grateful we are for such indications of God's love and power!

But what should our attitude be when troubles occur? Paul said, "We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." Rom. 5:3, 4;

Merely gaining freedom from difficulties is not the primary purpose of Christian Science. Our real goal is to discover through spiritual growth our true selfhood and our eternal unity with God. Mrs. Eddy wrote in reply to Mark Twain: "We need much humility, wisdom, and love to perform the functions of foreshadowing and foretasting heaven within us. This glory is molten in the furnace of affliction." The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 303;

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