Article January 30, 1984 Issue

Don't be handled by error!

HELEN B. CHILDS

Who of us hasn't felt handled—or taken in—by wrong thinking at one time or another? Perhaps we have seen someone we love victimized by circumstances beyond our control. But we can take heart. No matter how difficult the situation, we have a spiritual solution. The Science of Christ, or Christian Science, shows us that because God, good, is All—unopposed—we can defeat everything that would deceive us or those close to us.

"Handle" is an important word to consider; for when we learn how to handle error, or animal magnetism, we won't be handled. Moses learned this. When he took up the serpent that had frightened him, it became a staff on which he could lean. His fear was overcome, and Moses proved that a lying belief could not overpower him.^{See Ex. 4:3, 4 .}

All of us can do this. We can learn to face and overcome the suggestions coming to us as fear of the future, as a heartbreaking relationship, a nagging pain, an intimidating situation, or a threatening financial crisis. All these are lies to be handled—dealt with and destroyed—through the recognition and demonstration of God's presence and power. Mrs. Eddy assures us: "Know, then, that you possess sovereign power to think and act rightly, and that nothing can dispossess you of this heritage and trespass on Love. If you maintain this position, who or what can cause you to sin or suffer?"^{Pulpit and Press 3:7–11.}