Editorial January 11, 1982 Issue

Overcoming adversity in human relations

DeWITT JOHN

When faced with discordant human relationships, we can remember that the most important thing is not that we're confronted with tribulation or strife. The most important thing is the standpoint from which we work in dealing with it.

Praying in Christian Science for a right solution, one naturally adopts a spiritual standpoint quite the opposite of outward mortal appearances of discord—the standpoint of man's indivisible at-one-ment with divine Love. Not a mortal standpoint of many warring personal mentalities, but the spiritual standpoint that God, the one Mind, is the only Mind of man. Animosity and conflict have no actual place in this all-embracing Mind, or Love, hence no place in Mind's reflection—and therefore no place in our real being or that of others.

If we steadfastly hold to this basis, continuing to work out its implications and to pray with humble trust for God's guidance, we gain unmistakable proofs of Love's healing influence right in the midst of trials. Our spiritual standpoint is what makes a difficult time a source of progress, because this standpoint lifts us higher and strengthens us. Thus we find explanation and confirmation of the comforting words of our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy: "Trials are proofs of God's care." ^{Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 66.} We can gain the assurance, which she gives in another passage, that even in the most severe of situations we can find divine Love's gentle lesson already awaiting us.^{See The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, pp. 149-150.}