Problems are Opportunities

JACK TOOGOOD

Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, says in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 66), "Trials are proofs of God's care." What a load would be lifted from many a weary heart were the truth of these words realized! Yet it is true of some Christian Scientists that when problems arise, instead of seeing in them opportunities for demonstration, they give way before the seeming onslaught of error and through personal sense become the victims of self-pity, sorrow, fear, disease, or even death. Christian Science declares that every one of these is a false belief; that they do not proceed from God, divine Principle, and consequently are without cause or origin, and therefore without actual existence. Is it not sometimes the case that, blinded by the mesmerism of these errors, we at first fail to recognize our opportunity of refuting material sense testimony and making practical whatever we have learned of our omniactive Father-Mother God, good?

Great joy once came to a student of Christian Science through the study of the miracle of Jesus walking on the sea. The disciples were finding it difficult to make headway against a contrary wind, in one of the tempests of human experience; and so buried were they in their belief of discord that they quite failed to recognize the approach of the Master. In their extremity they cried out in fear. But their friend was at hand with his understanding of the Christ, Truth; and as soon as this was recognized or, as John says, "willingly received," harmony was restored. What comfort the disciples must have found in the memorable words, "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." And is it not precisely this same message of good cheer which through Christ, Truth, is to-day knocking at our mental door for admission?

"Be not afraid"! Obedience to the First Commandment insures obedience to this command; for fear has no part in infinite Love, God. In the book of Nehemiah it is related how, through fear, animal magnetism endeavored to stop the work of building the wall of Jerusalem, just as the present aim of evil is to break down the wall of health, holiness, and immortality, which the Christian Scientist is busily engaged in building in consciousness. How is it that mankind is so prone to be afraid? Mrs. Eddy has enlightened us on the subject; for in her Exegesis of Genesis (Science and Health, p. 532) she says, "Fear was the first manifestation of the error of material sense."

It is this false sense of a material man, or belief in a selfhood apart from God, the only Mind, that leaves the gate open for the marauder, fear. Then why not shut the gate, and keep it shut, through the scientific understanding that God never sent fear, never created it, and that therefore fear does not really exist? The overcoming of fear may entirely solve our problem; and at least it will prepare the thought for the reception of the Christ, Truth. Our gaze should be turned heavenward, away from matter, to harmony, reality. At all times we must watch against fear. This watching provides lively activity for the student of Christian Science; and demonstration alone can prove that God is with us.

It has been said that an optimist is one who makes an opportunity of a difficulty. Paul's far-seeing spiritual vision went farther, and enabled him to say that he took pleasure in tribulation. And should not we too rejoice in difficulties, remembering Mrs. Eddy's words on page 574 of our textbook, "The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares"? Christian Scientists know that problems may always be proved to be opportunities for spiritual advancement and growth in grace.

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