From the Editors September 2, 2013 ISSUE

Leaning, trusting, healing

The Editors

When someone is introduced to Christian Science, the very first words he or she often reads about it are these: “To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings” (Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. vii ).

Whether this is a new concept for you or one you have encountered numerous times, it’s worth it to take it to heart in a fresh, healing way. Notice how there are two parts to it—your part and God’s part. Your part is to lean on the infinite. God’s part, then, is to bless you.

You wouldn’t lean on something with your full weight if you didn’t trust that it would support you completely. Maybe you’d lean with reserve. Yet when it comes to God, trust—full trust—is what makes the best sense. To lean on what God, divine Love, knows about you, not just 50 percent or 60 percent, but all the way, is what really blesses.

The Bible counsels us, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5 ). There’s that word once more: lean. With all your heart, joyfully lean on and trust what God knows about you. This related verse from the book of Psalms might, in fact, make a good theme song: “His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord” (112:7 ).

You wouldn't lean on something with your full weight if you didn't trust that it would support you completely.

This leaning and trusting all take place within your thoughts. Sometimes what you’re praying about appears as a thing outside of consciousness. It appears as a lack, a material symptom, an unjust person or situation—something that exists objectively, outside of thought, and you’re at war with it.

Be glad that these conflicts can be addressed mentally. A threat, which to all appearances may seem real and distinct from consciousness, is actually a mistaken assessment—a false belief—about a presence or influence other than God. Changing something outside of consciousness could feel intimidating, but changing a false belief by leaning on and trusting the power and intelligence of God isn’t as difficult. The quality of our experience relates to the quality of our thought.

Thought by thought, you move forward through every day. Love God, your Shepherd, and lean unreservedly on Him to fashion the nature and quality of your thoughts. Watch, then, how doing this blesses you with restoration and healing.

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