A woman remarked to me that “She needed to pray about aging because she was starting to face aches and conditions associated with advancing years.”
I replied, “Don’t focus your prayers on the topic of aging. Focus on understanding eternal Life better.”
Tis true…people hitting the mid-century mark must not be naïve about the many beliefs held in public thought about “growing old.” The common fears and worries must be countered with spiritual truth in order to negate any bad effect from surfacing in our own experience.
But I find it helpful not to focus on aging in this effort. That is like trying to demonstrate supply while focusing on lack. It can be counter-productive.
The more profitable route is to focus on the truth that negates the beliefs of aging. And that truth is eternal life!
In truth, God is our life. God is forever. Our life is forever. We are forever.
We are not living a material life now, to be superseded by a spiritual life later. That doesn’t make any sense, for the spiritual does not grow out of the mindless material.
Life is eternal, always has been, and always will be.
So-called mortal life and all its beliefs of aging are limited views of eternal spiritual life.
The quicker we drop the limited view and gain the immortal, the faster we demonstrate the blessings of eternity in the here and now of everyday experience. And these blessings take the form of enduring vision, reliable health, strong hearing and retained mobility,
We might not gain a full understanding of eternal life in this earthly existence which enables ascension before passing on, but every step of progress Spirit-ward is a step positive.
Focus on Life, not on aging.
“Life is eternal. We should find this out, and begin the demonstration thereof. Life and goodness are immortal. Let us then shape our views of existence into loveliness, freshness, and continuity, rather than into age and blight.” Mary Baker Eddy
Hi Evan,
As a CSist who has recently hit that mid-century mark, I want to thank you for this clear explanation of how to handle the beliefs of aging in a positive and productive way. It’s something I’ve been struggling with for the last few years, but I can see now how focusing on Life and all its attributes can turn this struggle into a celebration, instead.
But I have two questions. First, is it still necessary, with one’s focus on Life, to address more specifically whatever individual aches or conditions seem to arise in relation to the belief of aging with more specific counterfacts, or is a general focus on our own existence as spiritual and eternal going to be enough to meet and defeat those specific challenges, regardless of the form they take?
Second, is there an overarching quality of God, such as health, or maybe Truth, that can and should be our focus when battling a physical condition or disease not apparently related to aging? And if so, again in this case, I’m wondering if it is necessary to meet individual symptoms with specific counterfacts or if a complete focus on getting to know, for example, the Truth of God might, perhaps, make the case for health more effectively than addressing symptoms more specifically.
Any thoughts?
I like Anonymous first question too, are there any specific counterfacts with aging and hair?
I have searched the reading room too. Any testimonies to suggest are appreciated, thank you.
To above,
Yes, your prayers should get specific when you have a specific issue you are facing. For instance, if sight is claiming to weaken, you would want to specifically counter that lie with the spiritual truth about vision–that it is eternal, enduring, supported and sustained by Spirit, and eternally so without fail. And so on with hearing, strength, vitality, and all the other qualities of Life we are divinely endowed to reflect forever.
On your other question about overall truths, yes, I believe that is important too, that we hold an overall correct view of life and health in thought all the time.
A rising tide lifts all boats. As your concept of health is elevated and improved, you will not subtley accept deterioration of health as part of advancing years. A musician with high standards for musical performance quickly hears errors when they are played, and is able to quickly correct them.
Hold a high standard for Life, for health, and you will catch evil suggestions when they come knocking on the door of thought before they take hold and cause havoc.
With hair, think and pray in terms of reflecting the fullness of Soul. Soul is the source of your individuality. Soul makes, shapes and forms you in God’s image, and there is no loss in this reflection. Soul’s reflection does not lose fullness, quantity, vigor or health over time. Soul is a constant and so is your reflection of Soul as God’s image.
Look into the mirror divine Science to see how you’re doing, not into the glass of mortal mind which always gives a false report.
I’m going to save today’s message and reread before I get up every morning from now on! 🙂 Says she who is supposedly 70.
Hey, it’s certainly worth reading other’s comments. “A rising tide lifts all boats.”
Now THAT’S a uplifting (pun intended) thought.
Thanks, all.
Thanks so much for the response, Evan. That’s very helpful :).
Wonderful article, Evan !!!!!! Thank you so much !!!!!!! Gracia
Thank you Evan! This is just what I need at this time. You have given me the tools (thoughts) needed to “see Life”, not age, declining years.
Thanks to the wonderful questions that anonymous asked. They too helped to address specific issues.
Hair loss healed
Rebecca Buhl
Reprinted from the January 2004 issue of The Christian Science Journal
Thank you Evan and Anonymous, I truly appreciate it.