Finding economic stability
A Christian Science perspective: A clear perception of God sheds light on economic volatility.
Sometimes the economic ground under one’s feet can feel much like the quaking earth as it adjusts itself. Circumstances like this often push people to seek stability financially, but true stability – stability that is not prone to the highs and lows of economic volatility – has a permanent and stable foundation. My study and practice of Christian Science have shown me that true stability is based in God, good. It rests with God and His consistent governing of all activity. A spiritual sense of true stability gives us a spiritual foundation that helps us rely on God, divine Principle, in economic turmoil and shows that He governs all.
Many years ago our family became interested in investing in real estate. We had actively analyzed and followed the market for about five years, but we had not moved to purchase new property. Mostly, it was fear that held us back, and a feeling that we did not know enough about this type of investment. Then one day, after much prayerful seeking to understand God and discern His guidance, we felt confident to begin purchasing. It proved to be just the perfect time. Suddenly, many homes in the neighborhood we were analyzing came up for sale, and we were able to purchase them. Each purchase required us, however, to resist fear and anxiety by praying to let God lead the way, knowing that He is both willing and able to guide and govern His beloved children – even in volatile times. These investments proved to be just what was needed in our investment portfolio and have blessed many families throughout the years.
Prayer that places us firmly on the spiritual groundwork of God’s divine control and government brings the stability and fullness of spiritual good to light in our experience. God’s presence and power, along with His willingness and His ability to govern all, points our thoughts toward a higher reliance than what matter promises, and to the always-reliable governing power of God, infinite Mind. God is all-powerful and ever present, willing and able to bless His creation – you and me – and He brings forth all good. This spiritual understanding helps us to rise above economic volatility, fears, and anxieties to full trust in Him, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (I Peter 5:7).
Sometimes it may seem easy to see God as able to stabilize things, but we may doubt His willingness. Other times, it may seem easy to see God’s willingness to bring about stability, but we may doubt His ability. Just as the sun is both willing and able to give light to all who will walk in it, both the willingness and the ability of God to govern us become manifest in our lives as we prayerfully learn to understand and trust Him as all-powerful and fully governing.
This prayerful leaning on God’s good government enables us to understand the powerlessness of greed, fear, anxiety, or poor decisions in the presence of omnipotent Mind. Praying from this basis protects us from falling into deceptions that would later harm us, and it helps us to recognize God’s care and control over His creation. This stabilizes not only our lives, but our thoughts. Thought that is stabilized in God, in Spirit, is listening, unafraid, and divinely guided. In this way we see practical evidence of God’s absolute government of His creation.
God guides and governs each one who seeks His guidance and understands more of His absolute beneficent control. His presence is here to bless each one. Mary Baker Eddy writes in her textbook on Christian Science, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures”: “Be firm in your understanding that the divine Mind governs, and that in Science man reflects God’s government” (p. 393).
A firm understanding that divine Mind, God, governs enables us to lean confidently on God for guidance, stability, and security – and experience it in our everyday lives.