Overcome Evil with Good

“At all times and under all circumstances, overcome evil with good.” (S&H)

For a long time I struggled with this statement. It seemed no matter how “good” I was to the human standard, it did nothing to overcome the evil in my experience; in fact, it had the opposite effect. “Good” being: be nice at all cost; forgive and let evil continue; don’t speak up; please people; be loving — a very subjective, dangerous word when based on human standards; don’t rock the boat; and many other variations. When I tried to fight evil on a human level, it just made it feel very real and exhausted me. This was personal sense without God.

Since working with a Plainfield practitioner and using Plainfield’s resources, good is beginning to have a new meaning for me. I am learning more of the nothingness of evil and how to overcome its seeming power. This has been a process of purging, self-awareness, repentance, new views, and tears, but worth the process. It is amazing how ignorant one can be of self and not know it.

Today I came across a quote in the book Footsteps by Carpenter, chapter 100. “In her work Miscellany, Mrs. Eddy refers to the poem which contains the line, ‘only great as I am good.’ Although, in this instance goodness would refer to the scientific process for gaining reflection, it must be remembered that the power and majesty of what man reflects belong to God.”