Human life consists of a series of experiences; some tend to strengthen, others tend to weaken. It is our attitude toward them, our reaction to them, that determines their effect upon us.

Experiences are strengthening when they awaken us to recognize our need of a practical understanding of the coincidence which exists between the divine and the human, between divine Love and the human need. They are weakening when our reaction toward them confirms the general belief that chance rather than divine law is the governing factor in our lives.

The difficult phases of an experience—the fears and anxieties, the sufferings and disappointments—are soon forgotten, however, when through demonstration the experience proves to be spiritually enriching. And the best part of it is, one can never lose the spiritual inspiration and renewed confidence that such an experience brings.

When Job's outlook was dark indeed and he felt that he could take no more, a friend turned his thought to God. "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace," his friend said: "thereby good shall come unto thee" (22: 21). By following this advice. Job's thought was so uplifted and unselfed—so united with God, the divine source of his being— that he was able to see his affliction as nothing but a temptation to believe that God had forsaken him.

Mrs. Eddy had a goodly share of this world's trials and disappointments. But as she turned to God and learned of His true nature and man's unity with Him, she became the Leader of a great religious movement which is enabling people everywhere to turn afflictions into opportunities to prove their unity with God.

Acquainting oneself with God is an experience that should never be postponed. The time for it is now. A more convenient season never comes. When one wholeheartedly recognizes any experience, whatever it may be, as an opportunity to identify oneself more closely with God, it becomes a blessing to one.

Mankind have two tried and trusted friends to help awaken them to their inseparability from God. One is the Bible; the other is the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. A thoughtful reading of the Bible has made it a source of inspiration to many. But when prayerfully studied in the light which Christian Science throws upon its sacred pages, the Bible literally breathes the spirit of Christ, Truth, into receptive thought.

Supported and strengthened by the revelations of Truth which these books bring, one is prepared to meet a difficult experience with assurance. The good which comes to one through the realization of God's ever-presence transforms what would otherwise be a stumbling block into a stepping-stone. Such was the case in a personal experience which I had some years ago.

Feeling the need of getting away from my work for a period of uninterrupted communion with God, I spent several days at a quiet lake, where thought and effort were devoted to prayer and a joyous study of the Bible and our Leader's writings. One unfoldment after another greeted my waiting thought until it was as though the windows of heaven were opened to me. Then came an experience that not only tested my faith in what I had learned but actually proved its value.

While swimming one day, I dived from a pier into shallow water and sustained severe injuries to the neck and head. Material sense shrieked dire predictions, which seemed temporarily to obscure the revelations of Truth which had brought such joy. Fear appeared to be overpowering, and the pain was almost unendurable.

When fear was overcome through the assurance of the protecting power of divine Love, I was surprised to find an almost overwhelming sense of resentment assailing my thought. "Where is all the protection I have been claiming for myself and others?" came the suggestion. To this was added the argument of self-pity that the days spent in such earnest communion with God were of no avail if an accident could subvert such a purpose.

The realization that these were but arguments of mortal mind to discredit the value of acquainting myself with God prepared me for an angel message which came as clearly as though it had been spoken: "How do you know what you have been protected from? Remember, Daniel was not saved from the lions' den, but he was saved in it. The three Hebrew men were not saved from the fiery furnace, but they were saved in it." This brought the conviction that I too would be a witness to God's saving power. Relief came very quickly, and the complete healing was accomplished in about one week.

In Science and Health are to be found these reassuring words (p. 410): "Every trial of our faith in God makes us stronger. The more difficult seems the material condition to be overcome by Spirit, the stronger should be our faith and the purer our love."

Untried faith is more or less an unknown quantity. Hence the value of experiences which provide the opportunity to put into practice what we are learning. When we seem to be in the midst of some trying experience, let us remember the counsel of Job's friend, "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace," and the implied promise, "thereby good shall come unto thee."

Ralph E. Wagers