Always enough

If we are experiencing lack in our lives, or if we are seeing lack in the world, should we feel discouraged? Or is there a different way of looking at things that can make things better?

There are valuable lessons to be learned on this subject – and help to be found – through taking to heart the teaching and example of Christ Jesus. Jesus proved, over and over again, that there is always enough – even more than enough!

Here is just one example. Thousands of people had spent several days listening to Jesus, and they had nothing left to eat. With compassion, Jesus asked his disciples what they had in the way of food. It was only seven loaves of bread and a few fish.

But instead of despairing, Jesus thanked God and had the disciples give the food to the multitude. And not only did everyone eat their fill, there were “seven baskets full” of food left over (Matthew 15:32-38).

What made that possible? Jesus viewed supply from a spiritual, rather than a material, point of view. Instead of looking at the size of the crowd and the small amount of food available and becoming discouraged, Jesus recognized God’s ability to meet every need under all circumstances, and he gave thanks.

Jesus understood the spiritual fact that there is never any lack of health, holiness, or goodness. And by turning to God in prayer throughout his ministry, he proved this reality wherever disease, sin, or other problems appeared.

The Apostle Paul encouraged, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

And Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science – the laws of God Jesus proved – also proved and taught the value of turning to God instead of drawing conclusions from material evidence. She wrote, “God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies” (“Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896,” p. 307).

Spiritual ideas? Yes, that’s what we need. We can look to God, infinite Spirit, for ideas that counteract evidences of lack. We are all capable of doing this because of what we actually are: the spiritual and perfect image of God, divine Spirit. This is our true identity. Because there is no lack in God, infinite good, then we as His spiritual offspring can’t be lacking, either. God is the source of unlimited abundance – of goodness and health and holiness – for everyone.

The spiritual ideas that help us grasp this are abundantly available for every receptive heart to understand. And as we accept these ideas, we are better equipped to prove that lack is a manifestation of the false belief that God could ever stop caring for His children – not the divine reality.

So our need, when something seems to be lacking, is for a shift in thought away from the hopelessness of drawing conclusions from material evidence, to acknowledging and thanking God as everyone’s true source of goodness.

This prayerful approach has been practical for me in balancing expenses with income, finding health where disease had been evident, and experiencing the reforming power of Christ, Truth. It has also given me a sound basis for praying effectively for others who ask for my help, and for my prayers for humanity as a whole.

At every moment, God is meeting everyone’s needs for health, mercy, protection, forgiveness, and abundance of good, in every direction. God is giving every individual every spiritual idea they need, bringing the ability to know this and prove it through restored supply, health, and hope. In God, there is no lack. There’s always enough!