The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-07-11
Mastering Circumstances

uyOOlNEoS men are constantly
called upon to face conditions
or circumstances which must be
mastered if they are to be success
full. To ignore them is to invite de-
feat and failure. Occasionally one
hears it said that religion and busi-
ness do not mix. This indicates a
lack Of understanding of what con-
stitutes successful business enter
prise and of what true religion con-
sists. The first three verses of the
first Psalm give a recipe for attain
ing true success in whatever UNDER
taking one may be engaged. Here
we read: BLESSED is the man that
walketh not in the counsel of the UNI
godly, nor standeth in the way Of
sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the
scornful. But his delight is in the
law of the Lord; and in his law doth
he mediate day and night. And he
shall be like a tree planted by the
rivers of water, that bringeth forth
his fruit in his season; his leaf also
shall not wither; and whatsoever he
doeth shall prosper"
Thus one who would attain true
success must not listen to the counsel
of those who ignore Gods laws and
are therefore unqualified to give
sound advice. Neither does he seek
help of the dishonest and sinful; nor
is he found in the company of the
boastful and worldly wise. He looks
alone to the one source of true wis
dom, infinite Mind, God, for guidance
in the solution of every problem.
Turning to the Bible, which contains
the statement of Gods law, he finds
therein valuable counsel which he
puts to practical use in his daily ac-
tivities. 49,.
On page 254 of Science and Health
with Key to the Scriptures, Mary
Baker Eddy makes statement
which, when understood in its spirit
ual meaning, relieves one of false
sense of responsibility, with its
attendant fear and worry. She says,
"When we wait patiently on God and
seek Truth righteously, He directs
our path" What is it to "wait pa
tiently on God"? Patience is not
simply sitting down calmly and wait
ing for something to turn up, nor is
it putting up with evil conditions
and grimly bearing them. Patience
is really the persistent expectancy
of good. To seek Truth righteously
is to endeavor to learn Gods plan
and purpose for man. So, when we
wait on God, persistently seeking
only good, and through prayer en-
deavor to learn Gods plan and pur
pose, the right human footsteps will
surely be made plain to us. And it is
not necessary for us to know today
the human footsteps which may be
necessary for us to take tomorrow.
The business man who is persis-
tently seeking only good for his Gus
toners, for his employees, and for
himself, and prays Understandings
for divine guidance, may be sure that
the right way will unfold to him and
true success will be certain.
The one who is without remunera-
tive employment may feel that the
circumstances with which he is
faced are beyond his control. While
the immediate condition may have
been brought about by events or cir
cumstances which he could not fore
see or prevent, the mastering of ad-
verse circumstances is to be achieved
within his own consciousness, with
in spiritualized thinking based on a
right understanding of God. One may
well begin with clear realization
that his real business is to express or
reflect God in his every thought and
activity. Mrs. Eddy writes (Miscel-
laneous Writings, p. 307), "God
gives you His spiritual ideas, and
in turn, they give you daily sup
plies" The source, then, of all true
ideas or thoughts is infinite Mind,
God, and as one turns with confidence
to Him in fervent prayer for guild
ance, the right human footsteps will
appear. Christ Jesus said Matthew
$3.50, "Seek We first the kingdom of
God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you. "
Just before Jesus gave utterance to
this profound spiritual admonition
he had been speaking of the ordinary
human needs for food and clothing,
so we may be sure that when we APP
ply this rule intelligently in work
ing out our human problems of en-
ployment, business, and supply, every
need will be met.
Whatever the conditions or cir
cumstances with which one may
seem to be faced, if one seeks first a
right understanding of God and of
mans spiritual relationship to Him,
he may be sure that Whatsoever he
doeth shall prosper."-The Christiasl