Needing to start anew after one or more of life’s most challenging circumstances, or for any reason, is something many of us have faced. Climbing out of a dark place or picking up the pieces of hearts and lives can seem daunting. But embracing the promise of restoration and healing that a new birth offers can make all the difference. 

At its core, the new birth is a deep spiritualization of thought that permeates one’s life. It’s a humble yielding to Spirit, God, and letting oneself be made new. An article titled “The New Birth” written by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer of Christian Science, describes this spiritual transformation: “The new birth is not the work of a moment. It begins with moments, and goes on with years; moments of surrender to God, of childlike trust and joyful adoption of good; moments of self-abnegation, self-consecration, heaven-born hope, and spiritual love” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 15).

Mrs. Eddy’s words came out of a life lived, including triumphs over great struggles and an ongoing intent to let God lead her thought and life. Following the teachings of Christ Jesus, she was led to realize that each of us needs to be saved from belief in a hopeless, unreal existence subject to sin, disease, and death. The understanding of her relation to God brought healing and revealed her natural wholeness, insight, and life purpose. And through this understanding, she developed inner strength and spiritual dominion and was able to prove God’s immediate presence in healing others. Christ, the true idea of God, was leading her to freedom, revelation, and the fulfillment of her Christian mission.