Who’s happier than you?

Unless you shout out “Nobody,” consider it a rhetorical question.  This post is about how happy YOU are!  That’s because today is International Happiness Day, a celebration based on the assumption (one I agree with) that you can actually choose to be happy – and should.

The tendency of human nature is to base happiness on circumstances and/or stuff: relationships, money, living accommodations, body shape, etc. etc. etc.  But it is a tendency that can – and should – be put off.  Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  (John 10:10)  Okay, so he doesn’t say “I am come that might have happiness…” but he might as well have.  An abundant life is one that is happy.  Especially if it’s based on the teachings of Christ Jesus.

That doesn’t mean that things don’t come along that can challenge one’s sense of happiness.  They can and do.  But consider that Jesus also said, “whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”  (Matt 7:24,25)  In other words, even during the stormiest stretches, a happiness built on following our Master will not come crashing down.

Mary Baker Eddy explains it this way: “Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love.”  (Science and Health p. 57) Pretty simple, don’t you think?

So, who’s happier than you?  Nobody.

Be sure to share it today and everyday.

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.

I probably shouldn’t, but…

Have you ever heard someone say this?  Maybe you’ve said it yourself.  It’s an all around statement that could be used with regard to every aspect of life: what we eat, what we do, who we hang out with, where we go, what we say, what we spend, even what we think.

I probably shouldn’t, but…is self justification, plain and simple.  We actually know better, and we know that we know better.  But we want to do whatever it is anyway, because we imagine the pleasure – however brief it may be – will outweigh the consequences, the pain.  Usually the pain wins.

Of course, this is nothing new.  It has been an aspect of human nature since the beginning: think Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit. (see Genesis 2 and 3)  The Apostle Paul explains it, “the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”  But Paul has a solution!  “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me…?  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Romans 7:19,24,25)

Jesus told his followers, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Or to put it another way: whatever you thought you needed and however you thought you’d get it, doesn’t even begin to measure up to how God is going to give it to you.  If you go to Him first – worship Him, love Him, trust Him – He will pour out to you all that you need that is exactly right and without pain.  Yes, even without pain.

We really don’t need to be afraid that we will be deprived of some good thing and need to take matters into our own hands.  Good is the natural expression of God and is as ever-present as He is. (Gen 1:31) The Bible says that Jesus went about doing good. (Acts 10:38)  And he taught his disciples to do and see and be good.  (Matt 5:16)  And he expected his followers – you and me – to continue in that pathway of doing, seeing, and being good.  (John 17:20)

In fact, he prophesied that “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do.” (John 14:12)  That certainly is a different pathway than self justification!

In his letter to the Romans, Paul explains how to do this:  “be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  (12:2)

So, no more “I probably shouldn’t, but…”  Instead, consider these words of Mary Baker Eddy: “As vapor melts before the sun, so evil would vanish before the reality of good.  One must hide the other. How important, then, to choose good as the reality!”  (Science and Health p. 480)

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.

You are not hidden from God

Does it ever feel sometimes, that God doesn’t see you?  You’ve prayed and prayed, and still there’s no response?  Maybe He’s busy, or you’re too far down His list?  Or worse, you’re just not worth His time?

Let me reassure that you are not hidden from God.  Sometimes though, our views of God – or of ourselves – obscure Him from us, so that we can’t see what He is already doing on our behalf.  Mary Baker Eddy says about that “It is our ignorance of God, the divine Principle, which produces apparent discord, and the right understanding of Him restores harmony.”  (Science and Health page 390)

You see, God is Love: the New Testament is filled with confirmations of that fact.  Not just loving, or loveable, although He is both.  But Love itself, filling all space.  So the more we know about that awesome infinite Love, Love that is omnipotent, the more we realize that we couldn’t possibly be overlooked by God.  Coincidentally, the more we know about divine Love, the more does our problem simply dissolve away.  Because we can’t hold on to a view of ourselves that no longer fits with what we’re learning about God.  There is a direct correlation between knowing God/knowing ourselves as His image and likeness, and healing.

Again, Mary Baker Eddy says, “We know no more of man as the true divine image and likeness, than we know of God.”  (ibid p.258)  So if your view of God is limited and small, your view of yourself falls into the same definition.

The Apostle Paul tenderly reminded the Colossians, “…your life is hid with Christ in God.”  (3:3)  Don’t you think that’s the absolutely safest place to be?  And about as close to God as you can get?  You’re definitely not out of His field of focus there!

God, divine Love, infinite Spirit, knows you inside and out.  He made you, He cares for you, He directs you.  And as we lift up our thoughts, hearts, and lives to Him we are healed.  Because we see Him as He really is – which means we see us as we really are.

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.