I got severely ill one day recently for no apparent reason. As I prayed to understand what spiritual lesson I needed to learn from the experience, the words “will-power” came to my attention.
In being honest about relations with others over the past few days, I realized that one individual in particular had outlined a course of action they thought I should take, and was strongly advocating it on my behalf. It was not a path I would have chosen to walk down, but it seemed harmless, like no big deal, so I had gone along with their plan. Now I was suffering, terribly.
There was nothing evil or sinful about what was being willed on my behalf. The person manifesting the will power had only kindness toward me and good intention. So, the person or the plan wasn’t the primary trouble. The error was my naively submitting to another’s will without making a conscious decision as to whether it was a good idea or not. I realized that if I was willing to go along with another person’s plan without questioning it, I would also be open to going along with any plan of sickness mortal mind might decide to “will” on my behalf. It was a vulnerable point in my thinking that needed to be eliminated.
Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “Human will-power may infringe the rights of man. It produces evil continually…” (Science and Health, p. 144). It is never good to be under the influence of human will. “It produces evil continually….”
In my prayers, I remembered that divine Mind thinks for itself, which meant that I, as a reflection of divine Mind, think for myself too. No other person ever controls my thinking. No other person can ever will anything on my behalf. If it seems so, it’s because I believe it is so, not because it is so. And it’s my belief that needs to change.
I got metaphysically clear that God has the only will, and it’s all good for me, and for my neighbor. There is no source of suffering, no cause of it and no place for it to land, I knew.
I learned my lesson. Do not give will-power power, in one self or in another. It leads to harm and loss of control. Seek God’s will, honor it, live it, and enjoy on-going health and happiness. It’s the safe way to live.
Thank you Evan for this message for today. It strikes me as a very difficult one to spot though. There are all sorts of occasions when one has to act in response to the boss, or authorities, without having the freedom to choose an alternative. A while ago in a big decision I was very strongly encouraged by another in a certain direction. I was very unsure, but was persuaded because I believed the other had my best interests at heart and had much greater spiritual insight than myself, and I wasn’t feeling guided in my prayers. In retrospect I regret the direction I took very much, although I know the other person had only good intentions.
Oh dear one MB, never regret the past. It will keep you from seeing the glorious endeavors, relationships, etc. that your dear loving father/mother God already has awaiting you. Feel God’s love, know that you are precious as God’s child. Leave the past behind and prepare for unanticipated good. Blessings, Bud
Thankful for your healing. Thank you for sharing it ♥️
Important lesson and post. God’s government is not naïve which would include us as His reflection. Thank you, Evan.
This is great!
Been there way too many times.
It’s a tricky little error.
Thanks for sharing.
This applied directly to taking my dog to a dog park yesterday, to allow him to be off leash. Others were commenting on his behavior, that he was sitting by the entrance but not interacting with other dogs. I was prompted to allow him to sit by the entrance, alone, where he was not enjoying being off leash. Those who commented meant well, but the dog didn’t leave his position; so I walked the perimeter of the area alone, and allowed the dog to be alone. I saw him displaying his sense of protection amongst the other dogs. Only God can direct this dog and guide him to feel safe and protected, so there was a learning lesson for me after reviewing what brought me to that park. Thanks for the spiritual guidance that you provide daily.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Evan and for the inspiration gained from it. I have found it often challenging to know which way to go with things that come up and will power sometimes gets in the way, both mine and well meaning friends, making it even more difficult. Sometimes opinions are conflicting and two friends will come up with totally opposite suggestions, making it even more confusing and not wanting to hurt other’s feelings in not going along with their viewpoint. At times like this and always, it is best to listen to “the still small voice”, but it is not always easy to hear, causing us to be persistent in trying to understand God’s way.
This was an eye-opener for me, and it followed in line (of course!) with my prayerful contemplation this morning. I had always read Mrs. Eddy’s passages about will power as being about my not being personally willful, and listening for Divine direction. I had never thought of the responsibility to question the directions provided me by others. In fact, I have at times accepted the fact that others might be hearing God more directly than i was. As someone else pointed out, this can get complicated – if we reason from a material viewpoint. The simplest approach is to step back from the story that presents itself and get centered in the very basic truths of our unbreakable connection to the one Mind. Thanks, Evan!
If it seems so, it’s because I believe it is so, not because it is so. And it’s my belief that needs to change.
Evan, that line from your article just jumped out at me. Wowsie!
This is a new twist on will power for me, and obviously others. Thank you for sharing your way to to your healing. A simple: “is this YOUR will, Father” would save us from many a misguided direction, wouldn’t it? I am going to try that today!
Thank you Evan for another great Spiritview. This is so important, especially in the workplace. Our employer is God , not mortal mind, and “no wisdom is wise but his wisdom; no Truth is true, no love is lovely, no life is life but the divine; no good is, but the good God bestows.” Mary Baker Eddy
Keeping us alert is most helpful Thanks, again
Thanks so much, Evan, and all who have commented for meeting my need to not follow the best intentions of family members, but go to God directly first and always!
Thank you, Evan! Amazing how clearly I need to be a listener instead of engaged in self-will with students and wrestling with error! The only victor is Love! xo
It seems God first before even the smallest decision, such as where to go to lunch or eat lunch. thank you for the tune up.
Thanks for that eye-opener, Evan! I’ve earnestly to watch out for self-will, but I don’t think I’ve ever really thought about someone else’s will for me, although, truthfully, I’ve had to deal with it in the past. I’ve been trying to hold on to Proverbs 3:5,6 to know that God will direct my (our) path in everything I (we) do. Thanks again!
So many interesting concepts shared .
Not my will but thy will be done. I often think that what ever challenge I face I must turn it over to God and know that God will direct and lead me.
Evan, so true. It’s the “noise” that I need to calm to hear the still, small voice within. At times it seems preposterous to hear the guiding voice when I’m frightened or locked into “responding” to external negativity. In reading your selection today I realize it’s a life-long journey to quiet my human mind and listen, listen carefully.
This is great Evan. I just was wanting to study what Mrs. Eddy said about food but it came to me to study first about will-power. Then I was moved to read first your blogs that I haven’t read and wow here is it so timely been prepared. Thanks so much but I will continue to search more as this is a new thing to me. It also appeared on the previous Bible Lesson on the Subject; Everlasting Punishment, page 251:15 of Science and Health with key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Thanks to all for your shared ideas and experiences.