Are there times when your prayers are not answered and you wonder why? Perhaps there is an element of selfishness that needs to be eliminated.
Ponder the depths of this message from Mary Baker Eddy:
“Selfishness does not appear in the practice of Truth or Christian Science. If mental practice is abused or is used in any way except to promote right thinking and doing, the power to heal mentally will diminish, until the practitioner’s healing ability is wholly lost” (S&H 410:24).
One could certainly be selfish and strive to practice Christian Science, but according to Eddy, his or her efforts are not going to be successful. There will be diminishing results until there are no results.
Selfishness is mortal thought focused on material wants, desires and goals. It reasons and hears in terms of what it can gain materially, whether measured in physical, financial, social, political or personal terms.
Prayer to God, on the other hand, is all about seeking spiritual gain, learning spiritual lessons, growing in spiritual mindedness, and living love better. It’s thought centered on finding Spirit and realizing spiritual ideals. Successful prayer is unselfish desire, not bent on seeking personal gain, but on reflecting divine will.
After I read the above, I asked myself, “Why is selfishness so detrimental to success in prayer?” And I believe it’s because a selfish thought doesn’t listen to God. It doesn’t hear what God is telling it to do. It is so wrapped up in its own material wants that it doesn’t recognize the spiritual direction God is pointing out.
Selfishness is mental blindness.
Selfishness is a dark place with no light.
Selfishness is an empty hole, a void, a vacuum of moral and spiritual energy and integrity.
Selfishness is self-destructive.
Selfishness is loneliness.
Selfishness is isolation.
Selfishness is evil.
Selfishness is no good!
It’s an arresting truth to ponder, the bane of selfishness to success in Christian Science.
Jesus Christ taught his followers to live unselfishly. His whole being was dedicated and devoted to helping others, loving his neighbor, extending comfort, understanding and healing to those in need. He has left his example for us to follow. And there is no other route, no short cut, no exception.
So, if you’re looking for a way to strengthen your practice of Christian Science, perhaps there is something to learn in living less selfishly.
I know I have lots to learn…
Loved this message, Evan !
How can we be helped by God if we shut down our ears to His perfect solutions ?
It takes some patience, persistence and practice to let go the tendency to listen to our little egos first than to God´s, I ponder.
But one thing I know, everytime I chose to really listen to Him, He brought me much more than I could ever expect !
If I needed 2, He brought me 20;
If I needed pink, He brought me the whole rainbow !
It´s easier to listen to our ego than to Him, but listening to God take us to a whole new upper level filled with Love, Abundance, Perfection. Just like magic 🙂 !
Thank you for sharing !!!!
This was really helpful Evan. Thank you. We seem to be moving into the era of enlightened selfishness, but it doesn’t heal. Only the Christ, Truth heals and self renunciation is the key.
Wow, thank you Evan …. xox
I like the term that the 2nd comment used; “Enlightened Selfishness.” In reasoning why our prayers aren’t answered. This is not so easy as you might think to get rid of. There is a very strong desire amongst mortals to feel important, to get recognition, even to feel power. I think that the real motive of a sincere C/S is to pray aright. This attitude will definitely lead to more success in having their prayers answered.
Excellent, Evan. As I read your list of what selfishness is, I couldn’t help comparing it with Paul’s list of what love is (I Corinthians 13:4-8,to:).
In straightening up the house to ready it for family visiting us over Thanksgiving, I found my cherished little volume of The Greatest Thing in the World, by Henry Drummond. Am reading it yet again, and your blog ties in so beautifully with it.
Coming into a holiday season that seems rife with materialism and attendant thoughts of feeling tired, put-upon, or overwhelmed, this is just what I needed. Just what we all need!
Sadly, I almost felt more discouraged after reading this. I can see that selfishness is not good and leads to a dead end (literally and figuratively!) but I would appreciate any insights as to how to get rid of it. I feel I have a lot of selfishness to overcome and to me selfishness is not just a switch I decide to turn off and everything is ok – it is a huge struggle. Many times I am not even aware of the selfishness. When I feel taken advantage of or imposed upon – am I just being selfish?
The opposite of selfishness is unselfishness. It is a life-practice. It consists of thinking about others first. Doing good for others. It requires acts of unselfish giving. There are endless opportunities to give to others through community, church, family, and one on one. It is a mindset, a whole way of thinking. Jesus taught that it is the route to heaven. Selfishness is hell. Unselfishness is heaven. It is a joy to give! Enjoy the giving more and realize that your good is in direct proportion to the good you do for others.
Now that sets me back on my haunches and makes me think.