There was a time, some years ago, when I felt hurt, and struggled with resentment over something someone had done. But as I prayed about it, the idea suddenly came so clearly that no one could hurt me. Glimpsing the spiritual fact of my oneness with God, divine Love, I saw that no one could get between me and divine Love; therefore, no one could deprive me of the infinite good that Love had for me—and had for me to do. And this was true for all Love’s children. I was instantly free of resentment, was able to think kindly about the individual, and was able to move forward happily.

A great deal of resentment, even hatred, stems from the fear that someone has in some way robbed us of goodness, happiness, peace, or success. People who have been wronged sometimes magnify the torment because of the hatred and desire for revenge they harbor. Whereas one who is able to forgive, trusting God’s provision and care, is sooner able to find spiritual strength and peace.

We all know what it’s like to feel wronged and to struggle over it. But if we could see farther, and glimpse something of divine Love’s supremacy and our inseparability from Love, we would learn that in reality we can’t be hurt. 

The basis for this confidence is found in the true Science of our being. Christ Jesus alluded to this when he explained to his disciples in a kind of parable: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29–31).

We needn’t fear how someone else’s agenda or actions might affect us. Not only is every element of our being known and preserved by divine Love, but all the good that Love eternally unfolds for us is assuredly fulfilled. God cherishes His own ideas. He knows and nurtures us as His perpetual image, or expression. We are utterly loved by God, and that love is a law that fulfills all good for us.

We are utterly loved by God, and that love is a law that fulfills all good for us.

This is illustrated in the biblical story of Joseph. Sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, later imprisoned for an offense he didn’t commit, Joseph never abandoned his adherence to right and his devotion to God. He seemed to have an innate understanding that staying close to God in his thoughts and daily life brought safety and peace. In the end, Joseph rose to unimagined power for the sole purpose of doing great good to many people, including his brothers, whom he forgave with the tenderest affection.

Far from being hurt, Joseph prospered, even during the most difficult times. We can learn from this what Paul says in the Bible, that all things—even severe, unjust circumstances thrust on us—“work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” And Paul adds farther on, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:28, 31).

This promise applies not only to our well-being and safety, but to the right development of our career, the right opportunities to serve God in the way He has for us to serve, as well as our peace and happiness. Nothing gets between the divine Mind, God, and its ideas. Therefore no malicious motive can bring to a stop God’s purpose for us, any more than it can stop the sun from rising tomorrow.

The only things that can seem to harm us are the angry or hateful thoughts we might be tempted to entertain. In a statement we can all learn from, Mary Baker Eddy writes: “The Christian Scientist cherishes no resentment; he knows that that would harm him more than all the malice of his foes. Brethren, even as Jesus forgave, forgive thou. I say it with joy,—no person can commit an offense against me that I cannot forgive. Meekness is the armor of a Christian, his shield and his buckler” (Message to The Mother Church for 1902, p. 19).

Even if we do hold tightly to resentment for a time, that can change. Such thoughts don’t really belong to us. They can’t be part of our God-given individuality, in which the one Mind is constantly expressing its own nature, its own pure, good, right thoughts. Our sincere desire to leave resentment, hatred, and fear behind is prayer, in which these false thoughts start to seem less compelling, less desirable, even less real. As we take our prayer farther—praying to affirm, realize, and perceive our true, loving nature, which has no angry, hateful element—such prayer uproots these false feelings, because we know that they are no part of how God has created us. Divine Love has conceived us, and is expressing itself in us, and therefore the only thoughts we can entertain are Love’s thoughts being reflected in us.

It is tremendously freeing to get even a glimpse of this wonderful reality—that we have no reason to feel hurt or resentful, nor do we have the inclination to feel hurt or resentful, because we live under the loving government of God and are the very manifestation of God, reflecting His nature. In this unity with our Maker, known to our developing spiritual sense, there is safety and there is peace. And these cannot be taken from us.

David C. Kennedy