One of the blessed privileges of being a child of God is the ability to be spiritually minded. God has endowed each of us with the capacity to think spiritual thoughts and stay healthy and happy.
But how often do we get tempted to mentally slip into a dark place that feels anything but joyous and healthy?
Perhaps a friend is sunk deep into personal hardships, or a neighbor lists out their latest illness in graphic detail, or a family member is suffering with grief? Whatever negative message may be coming from your surround, to stay healthy, it is imperative that you not sympathize with the evil and let your thinking go negative. As Jesus admonished, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Matt. 26:41, NIV).
To “Watch and pray,” is a responsibility we must take seriously. It’s like taking out the garbage once a week. To maintain a clean home, you have to take the responsibility seriously so the job gets done when the garbage truck comes to pick up your refuse. If you skip a week, the garbage starts to build up and turn your home into a mini-garbage dump.
Mortal mind wants to dump all kinds of garbage on our thinking, if we let it.
Be wise!
Refuse to take in any negative message coming from co-workers, friends, neighbors, or family members.
This doesn’t mean to ignore the negative messages, stick your head in the sand and pretend like they are not there. No, that is not Christian Science. Christian Science comes up with a counter-truth that negates the negative message and neutralizes it, preventing harm to self or to others.
So, don’t be a sponge, mindlessly soaking in whatever negative message comes plundering your way. Be quick to see the evil. Counter it with a specific spiritual truth, and keep your thinking free of its baneful influence.
You’ll live much happier and stay healthier too.
very helpful, thanks!
Great practical ideas. We have the tools to protect ourselves from harmful thinking. They are the simple, loving, Christ-like ideas that come to us when we turn away from matter to Spirit , as Mary Baker Eddy advises. It is as normal and natural as turning to face the sun and feeling its warmth envelope us. Thanks for your wonderful ideas. What a blessing!
Such a helpful reminder — thank you. Zeroing in on that counter truth and presenting it in a loving, non-argumentative way, is what I’m working on! (Also working with your wonderful article, “Face the Foe For A Victory.”)
To “Watch and pray,” is a responsibility.
To be a “child of God” is a privilege.
Thanks for that new specific perspective, Evan.
Boy, do I need this constant reminder, especially having 6-24/7 Nurse Aide care. It forces one to practice what Evan has in today’s blog. It’s practicable and workable. Thank God for that.
This is a hard one for me because my adult step children just lost their mother unexpectedly
and they are suffering with a tremendous amount of grief. I want so desperately to
comfort them and my heart breaks for them, but they are not very religious (although very
loving) therefore I find it hard to speak to then from a Christian Science standpoint. I’m trying to know the truth for them, but when I see them suffering it is hard not to take it in.
Any ideas for me???
Hi Debbie,
I can see that is a heart rending situation, but there is always some comfort you can bring to the children and family. Right where there appears to be a great human lack, divine Love can come in with a blessing that enables the family to pull together, find comfort and prepare to move forward. We must never accept an “end” to anything good. God is mothering that family now, and they can find their peace about their mom and feel some type of spiritual assurance from within that their mom is okay and they will be okay too. The more you know this, the easier it will be for you to communicate it.
Thank You so much Evan, I really appreciate you taking the time
to answer my questions. It has really helped me and I look
forward to putting this into practice.
This is such a timely message for me. Thanks again Evan for these wonderful uplifting reminders.
My dear Debbie,
Your adult step children are God’s children. Like we are. It seems hard, I know, not to take it in, but we all have to make a try to keep on pracricing what we know and we know that their real mother father will take care of them the best way. So, please just love them and God will comfort all of you. Trust and He will guide you. I AM is with you guiding you.
Much love
Sofia
Thank you Sofia for your comforting words.
Debbie
A wonderful reminder. Thank you Evan. I also ditto Ardi’s comments.
Thank you, Evan,
Countering mortal mind suggestions from what feels like every direction is a daily struggle. You have a wonderful way of stating simply and understandingly what needs to be done and must be done to progress spiritually. Will now search for “Face the Foe for a Victory” cited by Ardi.
Loved your advice. My advice to myself is often “cancel, cancel” or “delete”. I think we recognize the error but so often we get into sympathy we need to stand STRONG!!!
Very helpful. Thank you, Evan. I think as CS we need to be aware of how we might come across to others sometimes when they are hurting and sharing that with us. We need to be loving and compassionate and not seem like we are turning a cold shoulder to someone in need. In our thinking we are denying the evil but certainly not the person.