A Reason for Joy

RUTH R. WESLER

"SING , O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains." Thus, in figurative language, the prophet Isaiah exhorts to joy. And he gives as the reason, "The Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted."

It is noteworthy that Christian Scientists are a joyous people. Even those who are just beginning the study of Christian Science often mention their new-found joy. But this spiritual joy springs from vastly more than the physical healings which demonstrate God's power and willingness to save and protect from pain and discomfort. Even before all false beliefs of affliction are overcome, and even though new ones may arise, the genuine Christian Scientist retains his joy, because he knows that the same spiritual law, the demonstration of which has brought him release on former occasions, is operating with full force in the present. He knows that, as he perseveres, healing will be manifested. What joy to know that Christ, Truth, is "the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever"!

It may be that in some instances the seeming obstruction to healing is a thought that one has not enough understanding to demonstrate the universal law of good. The remedy is the removal of this obstructing belief. Spiritual activity is what is needed. Error would have us think that lack of understanding is an insurmountable obstacle, but this is not true. Unless one makes an effort to remove every phase of obstructive thinking suggested by so-called mortal mind little progress is made, and one fails to find the true reason for joy.

In seeking the healing which spiritual understanding brings, we should not think of demonstrating the truths of Christian Science as hard work. Nor should we fall into the habit of negative thinking, laboriously denying error without the necessary affirmation of good.

It was lovingly pointed out to a student of Christian Science at one time that in denying error she was allowing it to loom so big that she was forgetting to declare the positive truth. This habit gave a somber hue to all her thoughts. There was not enough joy in her thinking. She endeavored to correct this, and even in the midst of seeming pain and inharmony she would lift her thought to God, turn from the false material evidence, and realize some measure of joy because of the truth that, in reality, the inharmonious conditions were not present; that in her spiritual selfhood there was nothing to change, for she was, right then, as she had always been, in the presence of the loving Father, subject only to His law of perfection. Therefore there was every reason for rejoicing. In this state of thought some of the errors which had long been besieging her dropped away, never to return. Thus she proved that spiritual joy facilitates healing.

An outstanding instance, familiar to all Bible students, of the way joy helps to unloose material bonds, is that of Paul and Silas singing praises to God while in prison, as it is recorded in the sixteenth chapter of Acts. Forgetting the stripes and indignities they had suffered, and the injustice they had encountered, at the midnight hour their thought was true to God. Self was lost sight of in contemplating the divine presence. Prayer and praise filled their consciousness, so that they burst into song. Then, when an earthquake flung open the doors, and the keeper of the prison was afraid, the disciples comforted him, and he "rejoiced, believing in God with all his house."

Among the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in the Scriptures, love and joy are closely related. Had Paul and Silas occupied their time in prison entertaining unloving thoughts, nursing their grievances and resenting the ill-treatment they had received, there would have been no room for joy in their hearts, no singing, and possibly no deliverance. Deep-seated in their consciousness was their understanding of God, the spiritual reason for their joy, and no outward circumstance, however baneful it might appear, could shake their confidence in God.

Joy is related to love and other graces of Spirit. It is unselfish, humble, grateful, courageous, and faithful. Peace comes with spiritual joy, the peace which passes human understanding. Is not joy worth striving for, and the reason for it worth seeking? Joy is found in harmonious thinking. In seeking physical healing one denies discord, and seeks to blot it out of thought. In the same way, if joy seems to be lacking in one's life it is well to deny any reality in this unnatural state. For joy is the natural state of man, in God's image and likeness. Can we imagine Deity to be joyless?

To a Christian Scientist the reason for joy is steadfast—not here today and gone tomorrow. Discouragement would have us think otherwise, but what is discouragement but self-indulgence? Gloom is always wrapped in the false sense of self. Joy is the offspring of Truth. In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscessany" (p. 194) Mrs. Eddy speaks of "songs of joy and gladness" and "sermons that fell forests and remove mountains."

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