Freedom from stress
Originally published in the March 30, 1978 issue of The Christian Science Monitor
“Too much” and “too little” sometimes characterize the pace of today's living. There's too much to do and too little time to do it in.
Many women are getting jobs and still have to perform traditional household chores as well. Students and businessmen face “impossible” project deadlines. At certain seasons a farmer may have to work almost around the clock. In fact, most of us have longed at one time or another for relief from the burden of responsibility. How sweet at those times is the promise of Christ Jesus, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28 But does that seem too idealistic and impractical?
Christian Science shows how the Master's promise can be fulfilled in our lives today, lifting the weight of mental pressure and physical strain. Jesus proclaimed man's unity with God, by which man has all that the Father gives. Man expresses God; understanding this, we have access to God's limitless power. When we become aware of and place our claim on this unending spiritual source of strength, we in turn have physical stamina and peace of mind.
In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, the Christian Science textbook, Mary Baker Eddy speaks of Florence Nightingale and other philanthropists who performed legendary feats of endurance and were sustained by divine law. Mrs. Eddy, who discovered and founded Christian Science, says, “Constant toil, deprivations, exposures, and all untoward conditions, if without sin, can be experienced without suffering. Whatever it is your duty to do, you can do without harm to yourself.” Science and Health, p. 385
A wonderful feature of this spiritual support is that it doesn't wear off after a few hours. God's power is eternal and is available to us by reflection night and day, in any location. This power acts as a stimulus in our lives that we can resort to time after time with no buildup of bad side effects. In fact, the more one turns to spiritual power, the stronger he becomes.
Just as man reflects God's power, he also reflects wisdom. In fact, man's intelligence is the one divine Mind, God, and is not the outcome of a physical brain. God, Mind, cannot forget nor become confused. Mind is not exhausted. The divine Mind continually, serenely expresses itself in intelligent ideas. We can draw on this fountain of wisdom whenever and wherever we need help by understanding the truth of our relation to God.
I was overwhelmed by pressure when my husband went across the country to a new job, leaving me to pack up two small boys and a houseful of belongings. After a day or two of wondering how I could possibly get everything done, I fell ill—and then I couldn't do anything! Turning to Christian Science for help, I read this statement by Mrs. Eddy: “Sooner or later we shall learn that the fetters of man's finite capacity are forged by the illusion that he lives in body instead of in Soul, in matter instead of in Spirit.” ibid., p. 223
Soul and Spirit, capitalized, are synonymous with God. This reminder that man's true being is spiritual, not material, lifted the burden of responsibility and smashed the fetters of physical limitations. I was quickly restored to health and could get back to supervising the move. I still faced the same amount of work—no magic band of elves appeared to do it for me overnight! But an understanding of God's power enabled me to fulfill my duty. Spiritual power and intelligence wipe out the claims that time, muscles, or brain lobes can limit what is done. “Breakdown,” “stress,” “pick-me-up,” “tranquilizer”—these terms become obsolete along with “too much” and “too little.” We are not restricted by mortal measurements. God is infinite, and His likeness, man, has unfettered capabilities.