Article February 1, 1982 Issue

"Toil is triumph"

SHARON SLATON HOWELL

One area where students of Christian Science often do too little work is that of resisting aggressive mental suggestions. A patient will sometimes say to a practitioner: "I just can't seem to resist mortal mind's encroachments very well. I much prefer to think of the gentle aspects of Christian Science healing—the way it was when I first began studying. Demonstration was so effortless then."

If someone broke into our house and began carting off its contents, would we look on passively? Certainly not. At once, and with great exertion, we would work to hold on to our possessions. To not be robbed of our divine right to health and harmony requires equally earnest effort at times. To pray halfheartedly, then give in to discouragement—perhaps even complain that Christian Science is not doing enough for us—is to deprive ourselves of the natural outcome of conscientious Christian Science practice. Error never has power, but inasmuch as it pretends to be an active force in our experience, active resistance on our part is essential.

Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, refers repeatedly throughout her writings to the need for toil, labor, work. And Christ Jesus said plainly, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."^{John 5: 17.} Jesus revealed an important and encouraging point about work in his parable of the prodigal.^{See Luke 15: 11-24 .} When the young man began to awake spiritually, he so wanted to return to his father's house that he was willing to work as a hired servant. But the son was only partway home when he was met by a 100-percent supportive father.