Better relationships on the job
Some people dread going to work because of relationship problems. The boss doesn't like them; they face sexual harassment; their co-workers are unresponsive, overbearing, mischievous.
The remedy lies in exchanging the limitations of humam relations for the blessings of divinem relations
This can be done by overthrowing the concept that man is material in favor of an authentic concept -- that man is spiritual, the idea of God.
Spiritual man, true man, is under the control of divine Mind -- a term synonymous with God. Mind expresses intelligence, fulfillment, harmony, and unerring direction in man. As we get to know this Mind, as our thinking and living come more into line with it, we begin to eliminate from our experience the concept of man as mortal. We begin to see ourselves free of qualities that would intimidate others or make relationships unpleasant.
An understanding of the true concept of man enables us to see this man everywhere, no matter how obnoxious people may appear. And christian Science takes us a step further. It shows that any obnoxiousness we may see in another is false belief, not fact. The elimination of the mistaken sense of man through the understanding of his true nature brings healing. A transformation of character, the resolution of a conflict, the genuine appreciation of a fellow-worker -- this is the kind of healing that can take place.
It isn't as easy as simply saying the other person needs to change; thought needs to be aligned with the man God created. When we approach the situation this way, we're working for Mind, for God -- using the ideas He supplies.
This is the work Christ Jesus devoted himself to. He once confronted a demented man who lived in the tombs in the country of the Gadarenes. The Bible describes the man as "always, night and day, . . . crying, and cutting himself with stones." Jesus saw the true man behind the facade of insanity. This deeply perceptive vision healed the man, for the Bible tells us he later was found "in his right mind." n1
n1 See Mark 5:1-15;
Mary Baker Eddy n2 writes of Jesus' work habits: "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick." n3
n2 Mrs. Eddy is the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science;
n3 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,m pp. 476-477.
I once worked at a place dominated by a gruff foreman who, I felt, was unreasonable in his demands on me and others. I didn't want to have anything to do with the man, yet I had to work closely with him. It got to the point where I didn't want to go to work.
What should I do? I realized I had to see this man as God's idea -- loving, intelligent, loyal. but that wasn't all. I had to treat him as one who already expressed these qualities -- as a friend, not an enemy. The change needed to take place first in my thinking -- it obviously wasn't going to take place first in his actions!
This was a large order. But as my thought about the man improved, I realized that he was expressing the Godlike qualities I was trying to see in him. He became a good and helpful friend. I wasn't reluctant anymore to go to work.
In a manner of speaking, we don't work for people; we work for God. This is, we have a duty to strive to understand Him and put spiritual ideas into practice. As we do, we'll find growing freedom from frustrations on the job. DAILY BIBLE VERSE Glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, . . . for there is no respect of persons with God. Romans 2:10, 11
