God-governed

IT is becoming a better-known fact that we experience what we believe. What we hold in thought, whether good or bad, is externalized and expressed. In fact I read one book recently that stated, " . . . depressed people . . . remember sad events from their past more easily than happy people do, while happy people recall more pleasant moments" (The New York Times Book of Science Literacy, p. 136). We might ask ourselves, then, if it's possible for thought to be governed constantly so that only the good we've had in the past pours over into today.

Christian Science-the law of God, or good-shows that it is possible. It is possible for good to prevail. What I have learned has proved to me over and over again that when I understand and cherish God, peace, harmony, joy, health, and contentment all result.

Your next question might be, "How do I let God govern my thoughts and actions?" Through your prayer. This isn't just a pat answer. Rather, it's a fact. Communing with God turns thinking from materiality, past mistakes, and disappointments, and directs it to reality. You're always in God's presence. One way you can pray is to look beyond what the physical senses-the pain, discouragement, or poverty-are screaming. This doesn't mean to ignore what's going on in your life, but rather to turn from it long enough to behold God. To behold His perfect creation. Acknowledging God's presence awakens you to the realization that, no matter what is going on or has gone on, you have never been out of God's influence, out of His government. There has never been a moment when you were outside His care.

These are spiritual facts. Anything contrary to them can be erased from thought and dissolved from human experience. How? By our understanding God better.

There's often a tendency to set up other powers next to God. They include fear, hatred, egotism, disease, and poverty. Whatever is vying for your attention, if it takes your thought off God, who is good, or off His government, which is good-if it is in any way not good-then it is trying to take the place of the one and only power in the universe. There aren't a bunch of little gods and then the one big God; there's only one God. And this one is the one who Moses, Joshua, David, Jesus Christ, Paul, and many others worshiped. This one is the only. There's great reward in turning to Him for help and for His guidance. And when you turn to Him, you find Him governing not just your thought, but your very life.

Mary Baker Eddy discovered Christian Science in 1866 and wrote a book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Among its words is this statement: "Unless the harmony and immortality of man are becoming more apparent, we are not gaining the true idea of God; and the body will reflect what governs it, whether it be Truth or error, understanding or belief, Spirit or matter. Therefore 'acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace' " (p. 324). Acquainting ourselves with God does result in peace and health, in holiness and joy. It does bring the understanding of God. This is why in our prayers we not only seek God but find Him. We find Him to be ever present, capable of governing every thought we have. We find Him able to guide every action. We find Him reliable, powerful, and willing.

There may be times when we feel that we have been separated from God. Only spiritual understanding can prove that this is never the case. What appears to be a separation from God's governing isn't really a separation, but just an incorrect concept of Him. Jesus wisely taught, "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." You, too, can be known by your fruits (see Matthew 7:18, 20), and bring forth good right now, because you are of God. You, too, can turn to Him in prayer and let Him govern your thoughts and actions and all that concerns you.

You can be God-governed and see the good you've had in the past-no matter how little-become evident and pour over into today.