Undistorted images

Recently I acquired a digital camera that has many advanced features. But the most useful feature is also one of the most basic: the ability to view each photographed image prior to having it processed for printing. Undesirable images such as out-of-focus shots, pictures in which the subject has closed eyes, or photos in which the background is distracting can immediately be deleted from the camera’s memory card and replaced with an improved image.

And isn’t this what we should be doing in our day-to-day activities and interactions with others—deleting false images? Often these images come in the form of suggestions of poor health, impatience, dishonesty, failure, or anger. Perhaps we or a family member, a close friend, or a business associate may appear to be struggling with one or more of these issues.

We always have the opportunity to select the “delete mode” in our thinking and reject any suggestions of imperfection. To change the metaphor slightly, we might compare these limiting suggestions to the mirrors in a carnival funhouse, which produce distorted images. We never accept these images as a true replica of ourselves. It’s the same with sickness and fear: In thought, we can totally reject any possibility of these distorted images’ reality.

We always have the opportunity to select the “delete mode” in our thinking and reject any suggestions of imperfection.

The book of Acts contains an account that begins with Jesus’ disciples Peter and John about to enter a temple. At the entrance is a man, crippled from birth, begging alms. Peter stops and speaks to the man, saying, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (see 3:1–8 ). Firmly rejecting the false image of a crippled mortal calling out for aid, Peter helped the man stand upright and, “walking, and leaping, and praising God,” the man was able to enter the temple with Peter and John. He had been healed instantly and his true self—joyous and free—became evident to others inside the temple. We could say that the man discarded (deleted) the false image of himself, and joyfully entered a totally new phase of his life.

The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, explains how deleting these false images and dwelling instead on what we know to be true about ourselves and others can affect our lives. She writes, “Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 261 ).

By “holding thought” to positive and true images of health, supply, and abundance—spiritual qualities that come from God—we build a strong barrier against false suggestions of limitation or imperfection. Maintaining this uplifted thought enables us to move forward with total confidence and joy, assured that the divine Mind is leading us every step of the way.

As we go about daily interactions with others, these words from Science and Health offer reassurance and inspiration: “Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God’s own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick” (pp. 476–477 ). In deleting false mental images of ourselves and others, we can strive to see all mankind as the hearers and doers of God’s word—perfect, complete, lacking nothing. What a joyful opportunity!