Published by One of the most important truths we know in unity is that we have power within us, the transforming power of God that is mightier than any circumstance. Whatever comes to us in the way of happiness or unhappiness, health or sickness, abundance or lack, we have the opportunity to use this power to transform our lives by changing our way of thinking and acting. This transformation of thought about lives and ourselves may take time, but with each accomplishment, we take a step toward the goal of a richer, happier, more satisfying life.
Each time we replace an unloving though with a loving one, we are building a consciousness of love into our lives. Each time we replace a thought of fear and doubt with one of faith and confidence, we are changing the pattern of our lives. Each time we affirm health and abundance instead of talking about sickness and lack, we are becoming more firmly established in the consciousness of life and richness.
A heart that is filled with divine love and expresses this love as kindness, consideration, and tolerance toward everyone attracts loving and happy experiences. A consciousness that is filled with thought of life and strength and vitality brings into being a strong, health body. A mind that acknowledges the everywhere-present abundance of God establishes prosperity and order in life. A heart, a consciousness, a mind attuned to God and to God’s goodness is a constant source of blessing to others.
Every time we manage to replace one negative thought with a positive one, we make an important advance in spiritual growth. To build constructive, uplifting ideas into our consciousness is like mastering a subject by daily study. Attending this goal may seem far away at first, but each day’s application brings its reward and sometimes gradually, sometimes suddenly, we realize that we have achieved our goal.
In the Bible we read the account of Jacob and his wrestling with the angel of the Lord who had come to test his courage and endurance. Even until he breaks of day, never once give up in defeat, Jacob continued to meet his adversary, determined to receive his blessing from the experience. To the angel, who challenged his poise and confidence and ability, he said, “ I will not let you go, unless you bless me ” (Gen. 32:26). And as reward to Jacob for such vision and faith, for seeing in the struggle not injustice or cause for despair but opportunity for the receiving of some good. The angel said to him, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel” (Gen.32: 28), that is, the one who strives with God.
When we have worked and struggled with a problem and the solution seems further and further away, let us say to it, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” Let us study the problem for every angle until we find the good in it and, when we have gained the blessing, we can release the rest and know that it is gone from our lives. With the heavy, burdensome thought lifted, we can go forward unafraid, with a receptive heart and an eager, open mind, joyous in the knowledge that whatever comes we have the key to divine mastery.
It will be easy if, like Jacob, we keep our vision not upon the struggle but upon the good it brings to us, not upon the adversity but upon the truth that assures good in every situation. Truth is not hard taskmaster but a just one, and when we work with immutable law, the way is made easy before us. We can always hear the loving voice of God in our hearts, urging and encouraging us to a higher level of accomplishment, and each lesson learned, each overcoming made, gives us added strength and courage to go on in our soul’s growth and development.
What blessings we invite into our lives when we take only the good in each experience and let the rest go. We can move forward in faith, knowing that through the transformation power of God, we have the key to rich and fulfilling living.
