Sometimes in our efforts to move forward we may feel that we are hampered in some way by unseen elements, even that some invisible mental power is hindering our progress. Human upbringing, cultural tradition, or superstition may have instilled certain fears that get in the way of our progressive steps.

Turning to the Bible for inspiration and strength has helped many to overcome such thoughts of fear that often seem to jump into action when we are ready to undertake a new venture, a new job, or greater responsibilities.

The Bible is full of inspiring passages that speak directly to the individual, and we can read them with an open and receptive heart, ready to be instructed by God, the divine Mind. One such verse, a favorite of mine, is found in the book of Isaiah: "I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."

In the Old Testament we learn how spiritually-minded individuals faced adverse conditions, rising above them by trusting God in fulfilling the tasks that lay ahead of them. Consider Joseph. He was the second youngest of his father's twelve sons. His older brothers could not accept the fact that Joseph was the center of much of their father's attention and affection. Joseph ended up being sold into slavery by his own brothers, who were overcome by jealousy.

Now, one might think Joseph had every reason to feel frustrated, bitter, unhappy, perhaps even that he had the right to plan revenge on his older brothers. But when we read his story in the book of Genesis, we see that Joseph occupied himself with doing good and in excelling in what he was doing, even as a slave. He was close to God and busy expressing what were really spiritual and moral qualities, such as goodness, kindness, integrity, spontaneity—truly good qualities—wherever he was and to everyone.

He had no easy life. Mentally, though, he was free; he was able to think rightly and to act accordingly. He went from bondage to a position that enabled him to provide for thousands in a time of famine.

What brings mental emancipation such as this? Christian Science explains that we too can break free of bondage, physical or mental, through a more spiritual understanding of God. God, the divine Mind, gives man dominion. The spiritual selfhood of God's creating—our true identity as God's idea—is complete and infinitely supplied with all necessary resources. Each spiritual idea is forever at one with the divine, omnipotent Mind and therefore is never limited, lacking opportunities, unemployed, alone, or in a dead-end situation.

When things around us seem grim and without an apparent solution, that is the moment we can awake and claim our spiritual identity. Namely, that God, good, is the only true cause and that we, individually, are the conscious effect of this perfect cause. As a result, we have God-given ability to disarm and overcome any opposing, enslaving power or erroneous and limiting influence.

A Brazilian man, who lived in a tropical area of his country, found that summertime often brought on unpleasant physical symptoms leading to his nearly fainting. This problem had bothered him since he was a teenager. Although he was a student of Christian Science, he did little to challenge specifically these symptoms.

Several years went by. Then, he was elected First Reader in his branch church. Things were going well, but then in the second year of his term of office the problem returned. The summer seemed abnormally hot, and he was feeling the effects.

He began to take an electric fan to church so that he could have some moving air during the services. Soon the fan had to be moved closer because it was not blowing hard enough.

Then one Sunday he forgot this temporary aid. During that morning's service, the physical symptoms showed up stronger than ever.

While the Second Reader, his colleague in the service, was reading Bible passages, however, he was reaching out for divine help. He remembered the church business meeting in which he had been elected by the membership. It was not his own will that had brought him to be a Reader. Yes, he had prepared himself spiritually to fulfill this post should the occasion arise; therefore he felt well equipped and divinely empowered to assert his spiritual right to conduct that healing service. He denied authority to the aggressive symptoms and saw that they had no God-derived power, no true presence.

As he prayed, the darkness blurring his vision lifted and he could see a little better. As he looked down to Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy to prepare to read the next portion of the morning's Lesson-Sermon outlined in the Christian Science Quarterly, this is what he found: "Truth brings the elements of liberty. ... The power of God brings deliverance to the captive. No power can withstand divine Love. What is this supposed power, which opposes itself to God?"

Instantly the Christ illumined his thought and he realized: There is no power that can oppose the divine power! There never was such a power. It was as if a spiritual breath of fresh air suddenly stirred, dispelling the mental darkness claiming to have dominion over him.

He read with ease through the end of that Sunday service, even though the oppressive heat was still there. But this emancipating experience made him read with great joy and conviction.

That was an unforgettable Sunday service, a waymarker in that individual's spiritual progress.

Some time later, when this Reader was sharing the above experience with his father, his father said that he had had similar symptoms in his life. The Scientist felt impelled to go back and read once more that passage in Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy which had brought light to his spiritual healing. The full passage is on pages 224–225 and reads as follows: "Truth brings the elements of liberty. On its banner is the Soul-inspired motto, 'Slavery is abolished.' The power of God brings deliverance to the captive. No power can withstand divine Love. What is this supposed power, which opposes itself to God? Whence cometh it? What is it that binds man with iron shackles to sin, sickness, and death? Whatever enslaves man is opposed to the divine government. Truth makes man free."

To his surprise he saw that on the margin of this paragraph were the words Mental emancipation.

He perceived then that he had to continue in this mental freedom, not because he was over a certain age but because man in his true selfhood is spiritual and not material. This spiritual understanding is freeing. It unlimits, unbinds, takes off the restraints and shackles that material belief tends to put on children and adults, as they are tested and graded according to mortal standards of performance. Many times these are the unseen shackles of bondage leading to frustration, failure, and underachievement that accompany people throughout their lives.

It is important that we understand that we are emancipated through the spiritual laws Christ Jesus practiced. He showed us how to exercise the dominion that God has given to each one of us as His children. The Science of Christ shows us how to pray and vigilantly work to stay free from being erroneously influenced. It shows us we are free and able to make sound decisions with far-reaching results that bless us and others as well.

To be healthy and free, and to see good and steady progress in our lives, are natural to all of God's beloved children.