Article August 31, 1998 Issue

A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHECKUP

Joyce D. Wethe

My friend was in earnest. "You really should have regular checkups!" I answered her just as earnestly, "Oh, I do have regular checkups. I have at least one a day!" I smiled as she looked puzzled. We were talking about two entirely different kinds of checkups. While she was speaking about medical checkups, I was referring to checking the state of my thought.

This concept may seem unusual, but in all honesty it is totally practical. In referring to mental self-examination and the need to have a heart and mind open to God, Mary Baker Eddy writes, "Ofttimes examine yourselves, and see if there be found anywhere a deterrent of Truth and Love, and 'hold fast that which is good'" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, pp. 128–129).

This encourages people to check daily and to root out any thoughts that run counter to good, true, and loving thoughts. Working to eliminate fear, doubt, anxiety, as well as suspicion, hatred, or any evil thought, we can "hold fast that which is good," and thus feel the protecting and preserving power of God.

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