A student of Christian Science was traveling with her family in a car when her three-year-old daughter said she felt sick. The mother was filled with consternation. At that point they were passing through central London. Traffic was heavy, and it was impossible to stop. She desperately searched for a paper bag to avert disaster in the crowded car. The three-year-old, who attended a Christian Science Sunday School, demanded that her mother pray, and the mother began to declare aloud the fact that the child was God's perfect child and could never be sick, because God was never sick. Still the child persisted, "Pray to God, Mummy."

The mother turned to God in silent prayer and humbly asked what she needed to know. Immediately came the answer, "Put down the bag!" Why, of course! She had been declaring the truth while at the same time propping up sickness by holding on to the bag "just in case." She realized that healing called for consistency. Obediently she put the bag away and assured her daughter she would be perfectly all right. The child went to sleep almost immediately. There was no further mention of the sickness, despite the fact that their journey continued for seven hours.

How important it is to be consistent in our thinking! The Epistle of James emphasizes this point, saying, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." ^{James 1:8.} But how can we be more singleminded? By sticking to the truth of God and man. In Christian Science we learn that God is divine Principle—Love, Mind, Spirit; that He is infinite, All; and that there is none beside Him. God is the only cause; and the universe, including man, is His spiritual creation, which He has pronounced good. Evil, disease, deformity, discord, and decay are no part of His creation.

The first chapter of Genesis tells us that man is made in the image and likeness of God. Therefore man can never suffer in a material body, be confused by a mortal mind, or be limited by matter; nor can he at any time cease manifesting eternal Life.

And yet how often do we find ourselves denying spiritual facts? We may acknowledge, for instance, that God is the only Mind but allow ourselves to feel frustrated or disturbed by disputes in the office, at meetings, or in our home. Is this belief of many minds at variance consistent with our acceptance of the fact that there is only one Mind and therefore all must be united in reflecting and expressing God's wisdom and love? Similarly, we may agree that God is infinite Spirit but worry about our weight. If man reflects the perfect, complete substance of Spirit, is it consistent to believe that we need to put on, or take off, matter? Again, we may accept that God is Love but become fearful about insufficient income or finding a home. Is this consistent with the fact that divine Love is our Father, who cherishes His children, never neglecting or ceasing to provide all good for each one?

Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health, "To talk the right and live the wrong is foolish deceit, doing one's self the most harm." ^{Science and Health, p. 448.} If we are not consistent in our thinking, then we are likely to be "driven with the wind and tossed" ^{James l:6.} as James warns. To keep a steady course and enjoy the harmony of God's presence, we must steadfastly reject the lies that mortal mind presents to us in the guise of our own thoughts. When suggestions of fear, lack, disease, mortality, come to us, we can ask ourselves, "Is this what God is telling me?" We can reject, as worthless and powerless, any thoughts not in accord with God's law of perfection, harmony, goodness, beauty, health, and holiness, and accept only communications from God, Truth.

Our Master, Christ Jesus, was quick to point out the inconsistency and hypocrisy of mortal thought. In his Sermon on the Mount, he made clear to his listeners that it was no good professing to keep the Mosaic law "Thou shalt not commit adultery" ^{Ex. 20:14.} while indulging in lustful thoughts. Nor was it any use bringing a gift to the altar of divine Love while harboring resentment (see Matt. 5:21-28). And later on Jesus tells the Jews, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." J. B. Phillips translates this: "'If you are faithful to what I have said, you are truly my disciples. And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free!'" ^{John 8:31, 32; J. B. Phillips, The New Testament in Modern English, rev. (New York: The Macmillan Co., 1972).}

We seem to be more easily hoodwinked into believing in evil as a person—as someone who has been unkind to us, deceived us, or deprived us of something. But what will really help us under such circumstances? Wallowing in self-pity and resentment? Or accepting man, the idea of God, as pure, upright, unselfish, loving? Science and Health clearly states, "The only course is to take antagonistic grounds against all that is opposed to the health, holiness, and harmony of man, God's image." ^{Science and Health, p. 392.} It further urges us, "Stick to the truth of being in contradistinction to the error that life, substance, or intelligence can be in matter." ^{Ibid.,p. 418 .} For those who wish to follow in Jesus' footsteps and be free—free from the claims of matter, the belief of heredity, the belief in the power of disease and sin—this is indeed wise counsel. Following it, we can claim our true sonship and oneness with the Father who is Life, Truth, and Love.

Paul urged the church members at Philippi, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." ^{Phil. 2:5.} And certainly Jesus never deviated from truth in thought or in deed. His consistent spirituality enabled him to heal instantaneously, to control the wind and waves, and to triumph over death. Let us strive to be like-minded—and consistent!