Spiritual Joy

Violet Ker Seymer

Joy is often regarded as the outcome of happy human conditions; but this concept of joy places it at the mercy of mortal and material circumstances. Christian Science, on the other hand, reveals joy as the accompaniment of spirituality, and therefore as independent of human conditions and immune from fluctuation. True joy, or joy in Truth, is the perpetual asset of the spiritually-minded, and their succor in testing times.

In the course of his strenuous ministry, which exposed him to persecution and even danger, Paul wrote, "Without were fightings, within were fears;" yet he also said, "I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation." Spiritual joy, then, gains the mastery over mortal fears and conflicts. Material sense can never be joyous, for its dreams of pleasure or suffering debar it from apprehending spiritual harmony, security, and purity. Christian Science, therefore, awakens in its students the dormant understanding through which spiritual sense is quickened to behold "the Sun of righteousness . . . with healing in his wings."

Lest one superstitiously court suffering as the only means of redemption, it should be remembered that it is not on account of trials and tribulations, but in spite of them, that the Christian Scientist rejoices; and why? Because he has joyfully set himself to prove the omnipotence of God, good, in the overcoming of all that is discordant and unworthy; for as Isaiah says, "With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." Doubt and depression cannot draw from these wells of Truth and Love; but joyous prescience of victory may bring prompt release from error. Therefore joy not only succeeds, but also precedes, each individual demonstration in Christian Science. Spiritual joy and praise should be given precedence, and prominence, in all one's thoughts, motives, and prayers; then error's traffic of false beliefs gives way before joy, the heavenly pathfinder. Since joy, then, is a perpetual characteristic of man as the expression of God, there is no more truth in the suggestion that man is joyless than that he is sick, sinful, or lifeless.

Our Leader writes (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 259), "In this eternal harmony of Science, man is not fallen: he is governed in the same rhythm that the Scripture describes, when 'the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.'" This requires one to be joyous at all times, because Christian Science enables one to prove that man is unfallen, is the true, perfect, rhythmic expression of all Mind's beneficent laws; not timorously joyous, moreover, but mentally shouting His praise and power. True consciousness is without any element of friction, for all spiritual ideas reflect the substance of Spirit and the rhythmic action of divine Mind.

Joy is clear-eyed, always beholding spiritual reality and the holiness of spiritual reflection. Knowing this, the Christian Scientist allows no fear or unbelief to hinder him from rising above his difficulties through spiritual rejoicing. More rejoicing will result in quicker healing. "I wil joy in the God of my salvation." The Christian Scientist who is facing some problem should see whether in all his thoughts he is really claiming full salvation; for unless he does so, how shall it be fully manifested? If one is not working out his problem joyously, buoyantly, is he then doubting his full salvation from the error in question? Salvation is assured to every true thinker. Because the arguments of doubt and depression are sometimes insistent, it is essential that one utilize joy as the forerunner, and not merely as the rearguard, in each demonstration.

Paul speaks of the kingdom of heaven as "joy in the Holy Ghost;" and the Holy Ghost is synonymous with Divine Science. There must, then, always be joy in Christian Science; and just as much joy in meeting its demands as in reaping its blessings, for without the former, one may forgo the latter. Joy stimulates obedience to divine Principle, and helps one to prove that God does not in any way afflict, constrict, or restrict His image and likeness. Joy surmounts the obstacles encountered on the highway of holiness. Therefore every opportunity for overcoming is also an opportunity for rejoicing. When trials beset one, peace is in jeopardy, and joy seems to be shrouded in anxiety or sorrow, it is well to recall the heavenly trinity, "the fruit of the Spirit" described in part by Paul as "love, joy, peace." One who reflects divine Love is conscious also of joy and peace, for Love "thinketh no evil." It is only false thinking which is joyless. Mortal cravings for happiness can be satisfied only as one enters unshod the holy temple of spiritual consciousness, wherein, as Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 298), "Joy is no longer a trembler, nor is hope a cheat." Violet Ker Seymer

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