People who are suffering often struggle with the question, “What am I doing wrong?” They reason from the premise that if something is going wrong in their life it must be their fault.
When erring, it is necessary to recognize one’s error and correct it. But all suffering is not our fault. Jesus suffered severely with the crucifixion, but it wasn’t his fault. It was the effect of other people’s hatred and ignorance aimed at him. He was a good man, the best man ever.
So, I find it helpful to ask the question “What am I doing right?” when not making headway with the question of, “What am I doing wrong?”
To ask, “What am I doing right?” is to get thought aligned with God and feel more of the divine healing presence.
For instance, if feeling lost, we can consciously listen for God’s wise direction, for angel messages from above that lead us to a better place. That is something we would “be doing right.”
If feeling sick, we can reject the suggestion that suffering is necessary and agree to accept only health as our reality. That is something we would “be doing right.”
If afraid, we can choose to love. That would be doing the right thing.
There are many right things we can do that shut down the aggressive mortal mind suggestion that we’re doing everything wrong. To honor God’s presence, pray and listen for guidance, and reflect the divine nature in word and deed, is to the right thing. And when we’re doing the right thing, we are not doing the wrong thing.
Jesus Christ warned his disciples to “Be wise as serpents.” The temptation to think we’re doing the wrong thing all the time because everything is not going smoothly, can be a serpentine belief that needs to be guarded against. If you’re leaning on God, following Mind’s direction, and doing the best you know to put God’s truths into practice, you are doing the right thing. And that is a healing fact to acknowledge and take credit for.
Thank you for this inspiration this morning. It’s not quite 2am, I am up “doing the right thing” to see the Truth that dispels the error of sickness. Your message is very timely!
A few years ago I was entertaining the questions “What’s wrong with me?” I was strongly rebuked by my husband and advised to ask: “What’s RIGHT with me?” That proved to be far more helpful – and brought healing.
Evan, This may be the root of all evil. The belief that I’m doing something wrong, SOMETHING IS WRONG.!!! At least this has been a life long theme for me. The statement totally negates God as Creator, cause, ever-present Good… To ask the question starts from the premise there is something wrong with me, you, Life and so on. I like to remember a statement from another teaching. “Whatever mistakes I have made the truth about me is unchanged.” The truth about me can’t be altered or changed. Only the BELIEF about me needs to be changed. What is God saying about me, the situation right now, and yes, ” What am I doing right!” Love that question. Going to use it all day long.
Many times doing the right thing can be telling others they are doing the right thing. Sometimes in grocery stores or in a restaurant I see young mothers with their very young children. I can see they are doing the very best they know how to be patient and gentle with these youngsters who are many times very lively. And I can also see the effort being put forth by the moms as they multi task while remaining calm and nurturing . If it seems right and heartfelt I might just say something as I pass by like,”What a good mom you are.” or “What lovely children you have.” I’ve never seen it fail that there is a tangible lift and their face lights up and I can see any burden drop away. I look for opportunities to encourage others so I can enjoy the moment when I see the uplift. So thank YOU Evan for giving us all that lift today! It really helps.
Dear Karen, I love your encouragement to mothers you meet in your day! I always try to find an opportunity to express appreciation to people I see working in their garden for their beautiful flowers / lovely lawn etc, which I also find gives them a lift. A dear relative of mine used to go out of her way to compliment people on something they were wearing, such as ‘ excuse me, I hope you don’t mind me saying, but that colour suits you so well, it’s so pretty..etc’, and it was always appreciated. As we are all God’s children it’s so good to be grateful for others’ expressions of Soul.
Thank you very much Evan for today’s SV.
Thank you MB. Years ago in the Bible Lesson I read the story of the Good Samaritan and thought I would never have passed by on the other side. Then that day in the grocery store two little boys were racing around out of control. All I did was shoot looks of contempt at the poor mother trying to reign them in. As I left I heard a soft internal voice say, “And now you too have passed by someone who needed your compassion not your contempt,” I asked God for another opportunity to do the right thing and this was the result. I was never a mother myself but love to love those who are. Love your comments about the gardeners too!
Karen, thank you for sharing your humbling but healing experience! I truly appreciate this whole post and the comments so far. You and MB are beautifully showing (demonstrating) love in action. I’m sure the blessings rippled out beyond the immediate recipients, also.
Hugs!
And to you as well Susie!
Thank you, Evan, for this gentle and wonderful reminder. : )
Thank you Evan. I once asked my dear wife why she is always good. With no hesitation she replied, “I know no other way to be. “How beautiful!” For me, that thought and living daily by that thought is Christian Science. Indeed, Christianity and Christ Science are one and the same.
This is a very good, subtle way to look at things. I am always searching for what I might be missing or doing wrong. Not anymore. I liked the comments about mothers and children. As I am a grandmother now and I watch my children raising their little ones, I tell them and their children all the good that is going on. My kids used to hear me say I do not criticize parents even if I do not agree with what they are doing because I know how hard the job and I know they are trying their best and want the best. Besides, it is none of my business! Ha!
Thank you Evan, Nadine, MB and Karen. Have teenage grand-daughters from PA visiting their Dad here for the summer. This made me realize I was being critical of some things. Always was known for not being critical. This blog’s comments woke me up!!!!
Thank you, Evan & all who have commented. A very helpful reminder for me!
This is just the message I needed this morning, Evan. When healing evades me and others are experiencing healings, I tend to search for what I’m doing wrong. The same when when others can do so much more than I. However, the beautiful relationships I have with my daughter, two grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and friends, all encourages me to think I must be doing something right. Thanks to everyone for the beautiful thoughts and experiences they’ve shared.
Thank you all! And, of course, thank you, Evan, for raising this topic. It’s so important and comforting.
Thank you Evan for today`s SpiritView. Yes, I used to ask myself, what did I do wrong in certain instances. But Evan gave us so many wonderful examples how to brake the mesmerism of thinking we can do something wrong. It is not just a positive thinking.
I love the passage: To ask, “what am I doing right?” is to get thought aligned with God and feel more of the divine healing presence.
Anyhow, I notice from Evan`s message of today`s SV that on my side there is still a lot to do in acknowledging what I am doing right in view of seeming problems.
To honor Gods presence, pray and listen for guidance and reflect God is sticking close to Him, think that is very helpful and healing! 🙂
Thank You Evans, as the clique says, “look for good and right and we magnify them, look for error, more error creeps up to our delusion”. The purpose of our Reflection is to magnify good and we are always in the right place in Mind as Mind’s purpose.
This is encouraging. Thanks, Evan.