Frequently when we are facing a problem (whether it be sickness, loss, lack, discordant relationships, accident, or something else), our thoughts are in turmoil; all the varied aspects of the situation crowd our consciousness, and we wonder, "How am I going to get out of this mess? Where can I find help?"

The Bible offers this guidance from God: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10). An experience I heard recently illustrates how following this guidance brings good results.

A woman was living in a country that was under communist control. Children's movies were rarely shown, so when one was to be played in a town some distance away, she decided to take her young son and another boy to see it, even though bus service was minimal and unpredictable on weekends.

After the movie was over, they found about forty people waiting at the bus stop. When a bus finally came, it was already filled, but a few people managed to push their way aboard amid much rancor, frustration, and impatience. Some time later, another bus came, and the same thing happened. By then it was evening. The woman's son was tired and began to cry, and the other boy said he did not feel well.

In the midst of this turmoil, she turned to God. She was a new student of Christian Science, and she gathered the boys close and quietly sang the one hymn she knew from the Christian Science Hymnal. The words are by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. It begins, "O gentle presence, peace and joy and power" (Hymn 207). The assurance of divine Love's ever-presence and tender care quieted her thought and comforted the boys.

Very shortly after she had finished singing, a van pulled up and the driver asked, "Is anyone going to—?" and mentioned the name of her town. No one responded, even though most of the people there were going to that town. The man repeated his query. She and her little group and another woman with several children were the only ones who got in, and they were driven home. On the way, the other woman told her she also was a student of Christian Science and had been praying. The driver explained that he had driven past a number of crowded bus stops, but when he reached theirs, the thought came that he could help by taking some people home, and so he had stopped. The woman was filled with awe and gratitude to see how quickly prayer was answered.

What had happened? The tumultuous thinking of the others in the group was being expressed in angry, fearful, noisy complaints, so they did not hear when a solution was presented. On the other hand, when this woman became still and focused on what she had glimpsed of God's power, ever-presence, and love, the turmoil in her thought was quieted and thus she was able to hear the answer to her need. The other woman had turned to God and was blessed also.

When I heard about this experience, I gained an insight into a question that had perplexed me. The pool of Bethesda was crowded with people seeking healing, and yet the Bible speaks of only one man being healed by Christ Jesus there (see John 5:2–9). Why? Could it be that he was the only one still enough in his thinking to hear Jesus' invitation, "Wilt thou be made whole?"

The Bible account tells us that the man answered, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me." (The Bible explains that the general belief was that "an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had." It adds that this man had had an infirmity thirty-eight years.)

Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." The account continues, "And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked." The man's thought was quiet enough to hear, and receptive and humble enough to obey. Elements of fear, limitation, dependence on others and on material means for healing, had been present in his thought, as his reply to Jesus showed. Jesus commanded him, it seems to me, to rise above these thoughts, separate himself from material dependencies, and demonstrate his God-given freedom. The man obeyed and was healed.

What lesson does this hold for us? How can we find healing solutions to the problems we face today? First of all, we must still ungodlike thoughts, including fear (which is basically doubt of God's willingness or ability to help). We do this by replacing these mistaken concepts of God with the truth of God's nature as our beloved Father-Mother—omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent Love—and by replacing the mistaken concept of man as discordant, imperfect, and material with the understanding of man as made in God's image and likeness, spiritual and perfect.

As God's image we can reflect only what is true of God. Lack, loneliness, fear, anger, sin, disease, death, are not part of God; and because we are God's likeness, they cannot be true of us, either. We can only reflect what is in the original.

Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health: "As the reflection of yourself appears in the mirror, so you, being spiritual, are the reflection of God. The substance, Life, intelligence, Truth, and Love, which constitute Deity, are reflected by His creation; and when we subordinate the false testimony of the corporeal senses to the facts of Science, we shall see this true likeness and reflection everywhere" (p. 516). As the clarity of a reflection in a pool of water is proportionate to the stillness and purity of the water, so it is with our thinking.

When faced with a problem of whatever nature, how can we achieve this spiritual-mindedness, this stillness of thought that enables us to hear God's answers? We must "subordinate the false testimony of the corporeal senses to the facts of Science."

If the testimony of the corporeal senses condemns you to invalidism, pain, or sorrow under material law, which it says you have broken, affirm that you, as God's child, are not subject to material law; you are spiritual—a citizen of God's kingdom, solely under the jurisdiction of His law of harmony and perfection.

If the carnal mind, or mortal mind, as Mrs. Eddy refers to it, argues healing is impossible, know that nothing is impossible to God. If it argues that you do not have the understanding or strength to heal the situation, know that God does, and God alone heals; know that as His image and likeness you reflect His power and wisdom. Like Paul, you can do all that is needed through Christ, Truth, which strengthens you (see Phil. 4:13).

If mortal mind says your body is old, weak, diseased, out of control, realize that your true being is spiritual and perfect, God's image and likeness, and that this mortal picture is but a limited and limiting misconception of the truth of your being as God made you.

If this so-called mind argues that the problem has been present too long to change now, know that time is a mortal concept; it is not a factor in eternal Spirit, God.

Be still, feel God's presence, and feel His love enfolding you; guarding, guiding, governing you eternally; caring for you and nurturing you and every one of His beloved ideas.

Trust His wisdom and goodness. Love Him. Be grateful for the goodness you have seen and all the goodness that is present now because God is present here and now and because God is All, and that All is all good. See discord in all its forms as a lie about God's kingdom. Claim your God-given dominion and act on it, and you will find not only peace but healing.