Equanimity
AT one time I managed an engineering department, trained daily as a member of a semiprofessional sports team, and prepared to conduct church services twice a week. How did I maintain my equanimity? In looking back, I realize it was by growing in my understanding of God, divine Love, through regular study of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.1 Thoughts from God, good, permeated my thinking, and soon these thoughts were put into action. For example, I became less fearful of new responsibilities because I knew that God was the source of my intelligence and poise. I found needed inspiration and assurance as I discerned what God knows to be true.
What is the truth that God knows? Infinite good and nothing else. The first chapter of Genesis in the Bible reveals the nature of God's creation: ``And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.''2 God is the only creator, and man is God's calm and whole spiritual likeness. This is what God has created us to be; it's our genuine identity, though it may seem hidden or unattainable to our present sense of things. To prove this reality we need to accept it, and to understand it we need to prove it. Anxiety and stress are products of the human mind. But in truth God is the only Mind, because He is infinite. The one divine Mind is now saying to you, I am the source of your confidence, composure, and rest.
``Who dares to say that actual Mind can be overworked?'' writes Mrs. Eddy. She continues, ``When we reach our limits of mental endurance, we conclude that intellectual labor has been carried sufficiently far; but when we realize that immortal Mind is ever active, and that spiritual energies can neither wear out nor can so-called material law trespass upon God-given powers and resources, we are able to rest in Truth, refreshed by the assurances of immortality, opposed to mortality.''3 The more I learned how Christ Jesus lived and the more I strove to follow his example, the more I accomplished -- if my work was without sin and was in accord with God's will. I found that the main need is to realize who is doing the work and why. Jesus knew that he wasn't able to accomplish anything without his Father, God. He said: ``My Father worketh hitherto, and I work'' and ``The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do.''4 Jesus worked to glorify God, not self. I found that as I kept my thoughts and motives pure and Godlike, I expressed the qualities that secured progress.
Stress and strain lessened as I overcame arrogance, dishonesty, irritation, selfishness. These character defects and the ills they brought on began to disappear as I imbibed the spirit of Christ. The demonstration of spirituality, of God's nature as Love, brought vigor, vitality. I could think clearly!
Because God is Love, we can naturally express His love. We can express honesty and humility. These are some of the qualities that bring harmony and progress in life.
Prayer and regeneration bring the peace of mind and equanimity that enable us to meet the challenges facing us. They provide strong support for any honest endeavor.
1The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. 2Genesis 1:31. 3Science and Health, p. 387. 4John 5:17, 19.
You can find more articles like this one in the Christian Science Sentinel, a weekly magazine. DAILY BIBLE VERSE: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee....Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. Isaiah 26:3,12
