Article June 1, 2020 Issue

Unshakable joy

Dorcas Strong

When endeavoring to accomplish something worthwhile, of benefit to others, I have sometimes encountered resistance that threatens to dishearten me. At such times, I’ve found the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer of Christian Science, full of encouragement and guidance. Using the term mortal mind to refer to a supposed, sinful mentality opposed to God, good, Mrs. Eddy writes, “So let us meekly meet, mercifully forgive, wisely ponder, and lovingly scan the convulsions of mortal mind, that its sudden sallies may help us, not to a start, but to a tenure of unprecarious joy” (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 201).

Unprecarious joy? Is that really achievable? Ill health, fears of the future, financial woes, job insecurity, unrelieved sorrow over a loved one’s passing, loneliness, remorse over past mistakes, etc.—all these would seem to threaten our joy. But joy derived from God is invariable. It doesn’t ebb and flow. It doesn’t depend on circumstances. It’s spiritual, constant, everlasting, and deeply satisfying. As the Bible states, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

So let’s consider how we can handle the “convulsions”—abnormal, violent disturbances—of mortal mind and meet its “sudden sallies,” or negative outbursts, jabs, and jolts. Let’s see how prayer can help us maintain our mental stability and spiritual poise and attain that “tenure of unprecarious joy.” I’ve found that the preceding statement by Mrs. Eddy has helped me to base my prayers on practicing meekness, forgiveness, and love.

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