If we were asked to define our disposition, would we say that we generally have a pleasant attitude? But when we feel depressed or resentful, do we sometimes put the blame on people, circumstances, heredity, or habit? Although such dispositional traits may affect each of us from time to time, we can take heart because we can overcome them. To do this we may need to examine our attitude toward ourselves and our fellowmen—spouse, in-laws, church members, the boss. We can ask ourselves, "How well are we measuring up to the level of Christ Jesus' example and teachings?"

For example, upon returning home from a committee meeting, I became disturbed over some comments made by one of the committee members. Self-righteousness stuck out its little horns and seemed to say to me, "This person isn't very spiritually-minded," and so on. Somehow I could not seem to stop dwelling on this individual's personality, attitude, and characteristics. In the morning, the problem still weighed heavily on me, and I realized that I had to get free of it. I prayerfully turned to God for help.

My thoughts focused on Jesus' life and healing works. I reasoned that since the weekly Bible Lesson ^{In the Christian Science Quarterly .} was for the comfort, inspiration, and healing of all mankind, I could honestly find my healing there, as I had in the past.

The very first citation from the Bible helped me. It was from Psalms: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." ^{Ps. 1:1, 2.} The word scornful seemed to leap at me, and I began my self-examination with the question, Was I being scornful? Well ... yes. Was that a quality from divine Mind, our loving Parent, God? No. So, naturally we as His expression are not the transmitters or receivers of scorn. I further reasoned that since we are God's children, we are all included in His love and cherished, cared for, valued, as Mind's individual and good ideas.

Petty condemnation and self-righteousness are errors of the carnal mind—which in itself is the belief that we are all something other than the children of God. If not rejected, such lies would divide and conquer our church and other relationships. But in reality, error is powerless, unreal because God's love is all-powerful, always present. This ever-present Love leaves no room for evil in God's universe. And this fact needs to be lived, shown. As the Bible states, "This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise." ^{Isa. 43:21.}

We can also be comforted by the knowledge that we are not mortals, controlled by evil, willpower, or anger; in reality we are the wholly spiritual man created by God and expressing gentleness, love, joy, wisdom, purity. This man is entirely free from reactionary impulses.

As I reasoned along these lines, the feeling of self-righteousness lifted and disappeared. I no longer dwelt on mortal personality but on God and His man. An ungodlike personal sense of my fellow church member was put down and out, and once again I cherished and loved this individual.

Mrs. Eddy says, "... intensely contemplating personality impedes spiritual growth; even as holding in mind the consciousness of disease prevents the recovery of the sick." Further down on the same page, she declares, "I earnestly advise all Christian Scientists to remove from their observation or study the personal sense of any one, and not to dwell in thought upon their own or others' corporeality, either as good or evil." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, pp. 308-309.}

It is man's God-given nature to know only that which is good and true. We do not really want to entertain harmful thoughts about ourselves or others or to act unkindly. And we are not helpless to defend ourselves from the temptation to indulge in undisciplined, callous speech or actions.

The Bible is rich in vital lessons, giving humanity the moral and spiritual facts it needs in order to understand that man is God's image and likeness. The Ten Commandments from God to Moses are immortal and imperative directives. When observed and obeyed, they keep us safe, happy, and healthy. They also enable us to help and heal others. Christ Jesus' Sermon on the Mount teaches us how to be and feel inwardly blessed and satisfied in Soul, God, and at peace with ourselves and our fellowman. ^{See Ex. 20:1–17 and Matt., chaps. 5–7.} These lessons urge us to express and embrace the spiritual qualities so urgently needed during this period and for all time. From them we also learn our responsibilities.

If we wish to be followers of Christ Jesus, we have work to do. A good place to begin in our journey Godward is with prayer —humbly asking God, our Father and Mother, to show us how to be receptive to His angels, the spiritual intuitions that are pure and intelligent. The next step is to obey these intuitions by living in accord with their guidance and, insofar as we are able, to treat others with love and wisdom. Actually you and I already possess the ability and desire to do God's will, for we all are His children.

Another avenue we can turn to for inspiration is the Christian Science Hymnal. Hymn No. 324 begins, "Take my life, and let it be / Consecrated, Lord, to Thee." All the hymns teach us how to pray and praise Him, and this particular one is a song of willingness to yield up all human outlining and impulses to the will of God, to conform consciousness to Him—as Jesus showed is possible for us all. Prayer does lift and heal.

Caring about what and how we communicate to others requires thoughtful conversation, considerate actions, a desire to share the very best.

Speaking of Christ Jesus, Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health: "The great Teacher knew both cause and effect, knew that truth communicates itself but never imparts error." ^{Science and Health, p. 85.} We can know that as Truth's idea, neither you nor I can be put into the position of imparting error. We can claim our freedom from a seesaw dispositional life. Man is God's expression, not a human pressure cooker, subject to explosive impulses. In Miscellaneous Writings Mrs. Eddy tells us: "The pent-up elements of mortal mind need no terrible detonation to free them. Envy, rivalry, hate need no temporary indulgence that they be destroyed through suffering; they should be stifled from lack of air and freedom." ^{Mis., p. 356.} If we ever feel tempted to lash out at another because we think we have a right to, or that it is natural, we can hold that impulse down and pray for a stronger sense of Christly love giving us peace and dominion over the suggestion.

The first chapter of Genesis states that man has dominion and that God beholds His man as very good. Isn't that reason for rejoicing? We can claim our rightful dominion over erroneous thinking and actions, including any tendency to dominate each other. Right motives perpetuate gratitude and love; they bring an abundance of good.

We need not despair if we have not fully learned and put into practice all the lessons our Way-shower, Christ Jesus, taught us; we can still rejoice at the life example he left for us. By following him we can stay above the stormy misconceptions about God's man. In his Sermon on the Mount he exhorted his disciples, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." ^{Matt. 5:48.} He must have believed and known it to be possible for us all. He knew what would give us universal peace.