Conquering little aggravations with generous, Christly love
A close friend and I were to meet for breakfast. It was a special occasion because we saw each other only twice a year. I arrived at the café early and sat at a table by the window.
It was a quiet place, and I cherished the opportunity to spend time praying and reflecting on spiritual ideas from that week’s Bible Lesson in the “Christian Science Quarterly.” But after sitting in the café for about 20 minutes, I realized no one had come to take my drink order or offer a menu. I began to feel irritated. I saw that the server was angrily confronting staff members, which made the atmosphere in the room uncomfortable.
Isn’t feeling irritated how many conflicts start? Having been in situations like this before, I knew that if I allowed the agitation to fester, things could escalate. I’d feel justified in reacting in an unloving way. But I was not about to let that happen. Instead of springing out of my chair to speak to someone on staff, I opted to continue in prayer.
I’d learned that those nasty little feelings of irritation that would throw us off balance, that tempt us to indulge in self-justified intolerance of one another, can be swiftly seen as thoughts that are not in line with God’s government of His creation. Man, which includes all of us in our true nature as God’s spiritual offspring, is under the influence of the spiritual law of God, good, only. Turning to God and recognizing this spiritual reality opens thought to the divine influence, the Christ, exemplified in the life and healings of Jesus. Another’s manner cannot then make us miserable. And furthermore, we can see the truth that each one of us elegantly and beautifully reflects God.
The ideas that I had been praying with earlier were very helpful. One citation I had read from the textbook of Christian Science, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy, says, “Harmony in man is as beautiful as in music, and discord is unnatural, unreal” (p. 304).
The true, spiritual man is created in God’s image. Spiritual man reflects the harmony and infinite qualities or “notes” of divine Soul. Whatever we experience humanly that is discordant or not in tune with the facts of God’s government must yield to an understanding of the spiritual facts. And this understanding, gained by listening to God, brings healing. God’s reign of harmony becomes naturally apparent in our lives, just as beautiful music is heard as the musician understands and practices the laws of music.
We have a glorious opportunity to love God with our whole heart and to express love and compassion toward others. This is at the core of what Christ Jesus taught. Compassion embraces another in a sweet song of love.
However, one can’t be naive or apathetic about the disturbances that can cause fear and division among people. We can actively pray to see the powerlessness of the notion that God is not supreme. As we do this, as we stand strong with the truth of God and man, we are prepared to give a “soft answer” that “turneth away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1) and obey Christ Jesus’ command to love one another. Nothing and no one can take from us our joy and dominion! And this truth enables us to experience grace and dignity in our lives.
My friend arrived at the café. After a while our server approached us, exuding an air of anger and frustration. She practically threw our menus on the table! Without saying a word, she then walked away. My friend and I looked at each other, and I assured her that our time together could not be ruined in any way. Instead of going down the road of self-righteousness, we agreed to pray together, reaching out to God to see that everyone was included in our prayers. We took a spiritual stand, expecting to witness harmony.
The server soon returned to take our order. Now lightheartedness seemed to infuse her every step. Her initial misery had yielded, dissipating into a newfound sense of joy and vitality, accompanied by an apologetic smile. She confessed to having had a sleepless night and dreading coming to work, and added that she had become very angry about her job. What a joy to see her turnaround! My friend and I smiled.
No matter how small a situation might seem, affirming God’s law of harmony contributes to seeing the promises of the kingdom of heaven, the reign of harmony, fulfilled on earth.
While driving home, I was reminded of a message that Mrs. Eddy included in her “Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896”: “We should remember that the world is wide; that there are a thousand million different human wills, opinions, ambitions, tastes, and loves; that each person has a different history, constitution, culture, character, from all the rest; that human life is the work, the play, the ceaseless action and reaction upon each other of these different atoms. Then, we should go forth into life with the smallest expectations, but with the largest patience; with a keen relish for and appreciation of everything beautiful, great, and good, but with a temper so genial that the friction of the world shall not wear upon our sensibilities; with an equanimity so settled that no passing breath nor accidental disturbance shall agitate or ruffle it; ...” (p. 224).
We can embrace each day as a glorious opportunity to be a transparency for God’s love, which enriches not only our lives but also the world around us.
Adapted from an article published in the April 8, 2019, issue of the Christian Science Sentinel.
