Do any of these statements sound familiar…
“I know prayer heals, but…”
“I know I’m supposed to be hopeful, but…”
“I know I should expect healing, but…”
The temptation to doubt the efficacy of our prayer and qualify our efforts with “buts,” is not new to the human mind. But it can be turned around.
As one patient piped up after emphatically declaring a “but” statement, and then catching herself, said, “Oops. I know better. No one slides into heaven on their buts!”
So true. We don’t slide into a consciousness of Truth while doubting Truth.
For better results, eliminate the buts.
“I know that prayer heals,” gets you further than “I know that prayers heals but….”
What an utter helpful reminder! Just what I needed. Thank you very much!!!!
Recently I realized a lack of full trust in the ability to make Christian Science practical. I decided I needed more trust. How do I get that, I wondered? I listened for guidance and was led to listen to a Sentinel Watch podcast with Mark Swinney on trust even though I’ve listened to this before. It was really helpful for eliminating the buts in my thinking. It’s all about embracing the spirit of truth as Mark so clearly explains.
https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/1609k0s0bak?s=copylink
Thank you Robert for sharing this SW. I had forgotten about this one. Love the way MS thinks and love SW in general. So grateful for all the tools we have on this journey. ❣️
But, for the will of God, go I.
That is very good, Josef – a positive kind of “but”. the comma in the right place. The fact that we can only live according to the will of God, and that is what He made us to be – to be in accord with His will
So I will see your comment, Josef, as :”Not for the will of man, but , for the will of God go I.
Thank you Evan for this very helpful message, and
thank you Josef for your inspiring comment.
That is exactly correct. Thank you for your reply
Getting rid of ‘yeah, buts’ by Karen Neff. From the April 8, 2025 issue of The Christian Science Monitor:
https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/A-Christian-Science-Perspective/2025/0408/Getting-rid-of-yeah-buts/?src=shared
I eliminate the BUTS … by expressing …
Blamelessness | Unselfishness | Tenderness | Surety
This may not be the appropriarte place to ask, would anyone like to meet for dinner either Friday night or Saturday night for dinner at Association?
Thank you Evan for this great reminder. I recently auditioned for a local choir…many buts were swimming in my head…but I’m not experienced enough..but I don’t read music very well, but I can’t hit all the high notes…..yet after practicing three songs for my audition song ..they just didn’t feel right. I opened our hymnal and God flipped to hymn #263, “Only God can bring us gladness”… Which was a good thing because I knew this song from singing it in church as I had to sing this acapella, there was not a pianist available that night.
Rehearsal starts tonight and I am thrilled to be able to sing my heart out!
Buts have no place in our thoughts….ever! What a great lesson!