Everyone has a standpoint. A farmer stands on his land and expects to grow a crop. A software engineer sits in front of his computer screen and writes code. A cook stands in the kitchen preparing meals. A teacher stands in front of her class instructing students.
There are physical standpoints and there are mental standpoints. The mental standpoints are the most important.
Mary Baker Eddy wrote,
“When understanding changes the standpoints of life and intelligence from a material to a spiritual basis, we shall gain the reality of Life, the control of Soul over sense, and we shall perceive Christianity, or Truth, in its divine Principle. This must be the climax before harmonious and immortal man is obtained and his capabilities revealed.” Science and Health, p. 322.
Demonstrating “the control of Soul over sense,” is a desirable goal. It gives one dominion over the body and the ability to cast out disease and pain.
Perceiving “Christianity, or Truth, in its divine Principle,” is most desirable too, for it reveals the animating divine Principle, or God, behind Jesus’ healing works that enables one’s practice of Christianity to translate into healing mind and body of suffering today just like it did for Jesus 2000 years ago.
But to realize these goals, our standpoints of life and intelligence must be spiritual.
Is your mental standpoint spiritual or material? Are you mentally standing in a belief system that matter is all, or on a Spirit premise of God is All? This is a crucial question to answer aright.
If our standpoint is inferior, we can improve it. We don’t have to mentally stand on the quicksand belief system of mortal mind that argues matter is all. We can change our standpoint from matter to Spirit and work out the problem of being with understanding and confidence.
In Truth, you are a spiritual being living a spiritual life. This is your eternal reality. It always has been and always will be. To reason out from Spirit is not unreasonable. It’s the most reasonable position to take of all!
Stand on Spirit and stand strong! It’s a standpoint that will support you well and bring great blessing.
Thank you for this helpful insight about our standpoint, Evan.
A friend shared an article, “The Goodly Pearl of Healing,” from the Christian Science Journal: http://journal.christianscience.com/shared/view/xbvub8ec64?s=e
I have excerpted this part to share with you, as I find it very helpful in studying this week’s Lesson Sermon on “Substance:”
The word substance has two parts, “sub” and “stance.” “Sub” means under and “stance” means stand or standing. Therefore, the underlying concept of substance is understanding. One dictionary defines understand as “to have just and adequate ideas of.” This means that true substance is really an abundance of right ideas or thoughts. These true ideas are pure, indestructible, beautiful, useful, orderly, immutable, perfect, and infinite. Right ideas do not originate in us, but in God, Mind—the source of all spiritual ideas or thoughts. Made in the image and likeness of God, we are the individual expressions of all the qualities of Mind, reflecting the divine substance. Mary Baker Eddy writes further about this when she says, “[Man] reflects God as his Mind, and this reflection is substance,—the substance of good” (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 57). The substance we reflect is as eternal and complete as its source, divine Mind.”
Sue
Thank you, Evan and Sue! What struck me in the quote from S&H is, “Christianity, or Truth….”. Amazing that the Real definition of Christianity is Truth! Thinking of how many people think of “Christianity” as Jesus dying on the cross for us…. I am seeing more and more how C.S really is a system of Divine Metaphysics (the same one that Jesus taught and used) that changes our standpoint from Matter to Spirit and thus brings about physical Healing!
Thank you Evan, Sue and Bevi for your thoughts. I am praying to make the right decision regarding a project I want to accomplish – should I ask for help in doing it myself, or seek help from someone more agile. I pray for humility and guidance with “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy way acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy ways.” (From Isaiah and my memory) I know that God has the right answer and I will listen for His voice. How comforting it is to know that we can always trust in God for all of our needs!
As always, thanks. Especially that this spiritual standpoint is not unreasonable, as material sense sneers, but is the “most reasonable position to take of all!”
Because of my mental standpoint, I am being subject to the worst crime that was ever committed. Because of a downright lie my care giver of 14 years is being pushed out of her home which is where I live. If she leaves me I am dead before the end of the week. This horror is being perpetrated by my son because he believes his father is a religious nut for trusting CHRISTIAN SCIENCE. it’s the Crucifixtion of Christ all over again. This is my caregiver’s home, and she stays. I need help from my fellow scientist’s to help me thawed this horror.
Tobias, let your primary mental standpoint be that of omnipresent Love. The Mind of Love has a viable answer for your situation that can restore peace, build understanding and keep everyone working together as one. Dissolve the tension with Love, and let Love lead the way. Only good comes to everyone for reflecting Love.
To Evan, Ruth and Laurie; I thank all of you for something to hang on to which will, not might bring fruition and healing. Love to all of you. TOBIAS A. WEISSMAN
Dear Tobias, You can start with acknowledging God’s care for all involved… yourself, your caregiver, and your son, and know that whatever is done with Love cannot harm, but only heal and bless all concerned. Pray to see that Love reflected in love, compassion, and clear communication will lead to understanding and reassurance for each individual involved. Christian Science nurses sometimes travel and can help meet a human need until a more lasting solution can be found, if your caregiver is not able to stay. One can also seek out care from other sources, if no CS nurse or nursing facility is available, and continue to trust that prayer and spiritual understanding will support needed healing.
This excerpt from the Christian Science Journal may also be of help to you and those caring for you:
YOUR QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
By SUZANNE RIEDEL, KEVIN GRAUNKE, MICHAEL SEEK, EDNA WATSON
From the September 2010 issue of The Christian Science Journal
Science and Health talks about those in need of “aid” using “temporary and eternal means” (p. 444). To what is Mrs. Eddy referring?—FROM A WORKSHOP ON THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE HEALING PRACTICE
A1 It is so interesting that Mary Baker Eddy talks about “Christian Scientists” here—those who know (and would have learned in Christian Science class instruction) that God is ever present and that the identity of God’s ideas is never hurt, never ill, never lost.
However, if a situation arises when a Christian Scientist does not immediately feel the effects of prayer and seeks help through “temporary means,” such as medical care, who is going to judge that decision? One cannot compare another’s decision to one’s own decisions. Whatever another chooses to do, he or she can never be less than perfect to God; we remain God’s beloved child. A step to turn to temporary means does not mean that we have given up, or must give up, Christian Science, or have lost our standing as God’s perfect reflection.
I like the definition of temporary in the dictionary: “lasting for a limited time.” That tells me that we will not depend on glasses, a cane, or a medical drug forever. We do not give up expecting quick healing, the full restoration of health and happiness. With this honest approach, which is typical for Christian Scientists, there is no need to ponder whether we’ve “lost” our good reputation as devout followers of the Christ-Science, or as dearly loved and appreciated children of God. The “eternal means” for health, freedom, and joy—gained through an understanding of the spiritual facts about life—will eventually and inevitably come to light.
MICHAEL SEEK
BERLIN, GERMANY
A2 I love how Mary Baker Eddy’s writing reaches both the newest searcher and the lifelong reader of Science and Health. Step by step, from the beginning of the book, the reader learns about the healing power of the Christ, Truth. The statement referred to on page 444 shows the reader that if a difficulty arises and Christian Scientists fail to heal the individual, God will still reveal a right way of using temporary means.
Mrs. Eddy also said, “Material methods are temporary, and are not adapted to elevate mankind” (Science and Health, p. 318), showing that though material means may seem humanly necessary for a time, God’s eternal spiritual means will show the way to permanent healing.
So, if, for example, a Christian Scientist had a bad tooth and was not healed in spite of prayerful help from other Scientists, he might choose to visit a dentist. If the dentist recommended replacing the tooth with a false one, that use of temporary means then enables the patient to eat normally again. In no way should he feel that prayer has failed. He remains in the presence of God’s unfailing love, and can continue to pray, lifting thought above the material picture and refusing to believe that God’s idea is subject to deterioration of any kind. Our true substance is the substance of Spirit, not matter. This is the truth of our being. When we regularly hold to this truth, we are employing eternal means for healing, and this sincere prayer is always answered.
Any helpful prayer that Christian Scientists do for themselves or another is never lost.
EDNA WATSON
LIVERPOOL, MERSEYSIDE, ENGLAND
Further thoughts on this quote from P. 444 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mrs. Eddy can be found on the Journal Sentinel Herald On-line repost of the following article , written by a Christian Science Army Chaplain, who was in need of care himself, and turned to other Chaplains and temporary care as he continued to work and pray for himself, with a friend’s support.:
“Temporary and eternal means”
RICHARD H. CHASE
From the August 25, 1945 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel
Hymn #9 in the Christian Science Hymnal, with lyrics by Violet Hay, includes the reassuring thought: “He knows the angels that you need, and sends them to your side, to comfort, guard, and guide.” Look up Mary Baker Eddy’s definition of angels, in the Glossary of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,in this context, and quiet any sense of fear with trust in God’s providing “angel thoughts”, to you and your son and your caregiver, relating to whatever best meets the human need for each of you at this time. You are loved, by Love, Tobias. Trust, watch, and pray.
Even in the midst of a battle, your safe in knowing that God is actually maintaining his peaceful harmonious kingdom right where the battle seems to be raging. That tiny ray of sunshine is the beginning of the end of the problem. Love fills all space, and it will become apparent. Let God unfold the solution.
The outpouring of Love is felt by all and the result is peace.
What a wonderful truth to memorize and keep close at hand and in my heart: I am a spiritual being living a spiritual life. Thank you, Evan, as always.
To Tobias: You know who you are and what you are, so know that this material picture cannot harm or threaten you as you hold to knowing the truths that Jesus taught us. Keynote, be not afraid and as another person mentioned, turn to Divine Love for all concerned. Know that there is a blessing here for you and your son and your caretaker.
I once had a person in my care pass away while relying on Christian Science. It took me on a journey where my mother accused me of being out of my mind. Upon my mother’s death, a voice came to me and said “please forgive me, now I understand.” Be not afraid and know that everyone can only be blessed by what is going on, God is the only one caring for you . . . as no one else can.