“Set Your Affection on Things Above”

The Bible says, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col.) Where are our affections? Are they set on the good and the positive, or on some distraction that error would like to tempt us with to get us off the track? Mrs. Eddy says, “Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts.” (S&H)

There’s a story told of a woman who had a cloud over her head; and no matter what came along, she always found something wrong with it. She was absolutely sure that she couldn’t see anything good; and guess what — she didn’t! What are we expecting? Where are we setting our affections?

I prefer to set my affections on the highest, the holiest, and the best, and to keep them set there, no matter what happens. It’s not always easy not to fall down when something isn’t quite right. I remember learning this a long time ago. When something bad would happen, I might be tempted to think, “Oh, not this; woe is me.” But then my thought became more disciplined, and I learned to say, “God governs” right away. I had a practitioner who insisted on that, and it was wonderful training. “God governs,” no matter what. If you pass an unfortunate incident on the road, “God governs.” You have no idea of the help you may give someone as you do this.

Christian Science is a wonderful way of life. The Bible says you will be blessed. Well, if you expect good, you’ll find it. See yourself as blessed. It’s up to you. How do you see yourself — as a struggling mortal, having such a rough time, or as someone who has found a loving God and realizes that this loving God helps those who call on Him? God is a good God, and there’s nothing to be discouraged about. God is here!

Let your love go out. Everyone needs the love of God, and that’s the love that we reflect. And as we reflect it, it comes back to us. But we don’t do it for that reason. We do it because we love to do right, to serve our loving Father, God. Sometimes it’s not easy. Sometimes error will tempt us or try to discourage us.

Let’s stand with our Father-Mother God. Don’t listen to error, because it has nothing good or truthful to say. And refuse to look at the past. Remember everything good, and thank God for every blessing that He has given you. But don’t remember any bad things; because if it wasn’t good, it didn’t come from God, and we won’t dwell on it. We know better than that. And as we do this, life gets better and better.

Are we opening the door to God and His love and goodness, or are we closing it with our negative expectations? Don’t let the negative in. One of the things we sing here is an old song, “You want to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, and don’t mess with Mr. In-between.” He’s not out to help you. So stay with the positive, trust your God, know that He loves you and that He loves everyone — no one is left out, no one lonely, no one afraid. God loves His creation. After all, if He made us, he’s not going to forget us. His hand is on those who trust Him. He’s a good God. Trust Him, and see what happens. The results are quite wonderful!