"He increaseth strength"

Duncan Sinclair

Mortals are constantly having to combat the sense of weakness. Every physical effort is believed to make its demands on one's strength; and rest is thought necessary for recuperation. It is similar with mental efforts. These, when prolonged, claim to tire one. Accordingly, mortals believe that time has to be given for relaxation, in order that mental vigor may return. This goes on intermittently during the entire span of mortal existence. Mortals toil physically and mentally, thus depleting their strength, which, they believe, has to be renewed by relaxation, change of activity, or the use of some material agent credited with recuperative properties.

It is wise to conserve one's energy; it is wise not to drive oneself, as the saying is, mentally or physically; it is wise to take a reasonable measure of relaxation. It is sensible to do these things, because of the material beliefs common to mortals. But, as the Christian Scientist well knows, all such devices for the conservation of one's strength are on the human plane, where man is regarded as mortal, strength is believed to be limited because subject to material so-called law, and mental power is thought of as dependent on brain, itself material and subject to material law; in other words, where strength, according to human belief, is largely if not altogether determined by material conditions.

The enemy, then, as Christian Science points out, which mortals have to contend with is materiality or material sense. How are they to combat successfully this foe to their strength, their vitality? What must they do to counteract its seeming power, and so retain or regain their vigor? Christian Science answers directly and unequivocally, by revealing to them the Science of being, which makes known not only the nature of the source of all strength, but the relation of man to this divine source.

Christian Science declares that God, the source of all true being, is omnipotent, and that man reflects God. It reveals that God is Spirit and, therefore, that man, His reflection, is spiritual. It affirms that, since God is infinite Spirit, what men call matter has no real existence, and that material law does not actually exist. From this it follows that the real man, the reflection of God, never ceases to express strength; that, indeed, his strength is unlimited. Again, since there is no weakness in God, omnipotent Spirit, weakness is an unreal or erroneous state of consciousness. Thus, we may believe in weakness, but we cannot know weakness; we can only know, be actually conscious of strength. This way of regarding strength is invaluable to those who are believing in weakness, and suffering in consequence.

Christian Scientists are constantly proving that strength is dependent upon and supported by right spiritual thinking. Suppose that one, a student of Christian Science, has labored long, either mentally or physically, and feels exhausted. To get rid of the triedness, which he knows is a false state of consciousness, he prays understandingly. By that is meant that he declares the truth of real being, the truth about his true spiritual status as an idea or son of God, reflecting health and strength, until he realizes the truth clearly. With the realization his strength returns. Mrs. Eddy writes (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 218), "The consciousness of Truth rests us more than hours of repose in unconsciousness," words which are in accord with those of Isaiah (40:29), "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength."

Holidays are not always what they might be, periods of mental and physical adjustment. Often they are abused by overindulgence in so-called material pleasures, for many strongly believe in the efficacy of some measure of this indulgence. But how often have people returned from what might have been a happy, helpful experience overstrained, weakened, depressed, and thereby rendered less fit for their duties than before they left for their vacation! Had they only pursued a wiser course, and while they were free from their regular duties quietly meditated upon revealed truth, allowing their thought to dwell on spiritual reality, how different would have been the result! They would have proved for themselves the truth of Mrs. Eddy's words (Church Manual, Art. XVII, Sect. 1) that "Truth and Love rest the weary and heavy laden."

"The Lord is the strength of my life" (Psalms 27:1). Always should we return in thought to God, divine Principle, as the source of all we possess, including our strength and our health. And we should abide there. "Let us feel the divine energy of Spirit, bringing us into newness of life and recognizing no mortal nor material power as able to destroy. Let us rejoice that we are subject to the divine 'powers that be'" (Science and Health, p. 249). Man reflects God—omnipotent Spirit. No erroneous belief can alter that sublime truth. We overcome weakness by denying it, and affirming the true status of our real selfhood as the reflection of God.

Duncan Sinclair

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