Our Problem

Excerpt from the October 1900 issue of the Christian Science Journal by


“Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see,” was the prayer of the prophet Elisha concerning his servant. This servant could see the Syrian army which now encompassed and shut in the plains and slopes of Dothan, whither they had been sent to arrest the apparently defenceless prophet. When his servant saw the vast army of Syria, in that early morning, and saw no means of escape, he was frightened, and ran to his master with the news, saying, “Alas, my master! how shall we do?” Elisha answered, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” All fear vanished before the evidences of Divine protection.

The prophet had seen this protecting host, but the servant at his side had not beheld it. Why this difference? Because the eyes of one were opened to see spiritual things, while the vision of the other was limited to material things, visible to corporeality only. The resources of material sense are limited, and spiritual sense is limitless, bounded by no lines of materiality. “They that be with them” are limited resources, soon exhausted; they are visible, you can count them. But who can estimate the resources of infinite Love? Who can estimate the resources of the one who is awakened to the truths of Christian Science, where God and one are a majority?

I hear some say, “It is impossible for me to understand the unreality of a discord which meets me on every side.” Is not that just the time to pray, “Lord, open my blind eyes”? Then if you will turn to the “little book” you will find that the scales will fall from your eyes, and you will see the vast army of ministering angels, and Love will deliver you. No matter what the pressure, if the heart is honest, you will find in that precious book the open road to freedom and rest.

To the prophet this infinite Love appeared as chariots of fire, which stood between him and the Syrian host. The enemy could not see him, for they were struck with blindness. But the prophet led them into the city of Samaria, and there left them. Thus it always is, if we are faithful and obedient, the methods of mortal mind come to naught when it attempts to thwart the working out of God’s plan.

It is easy to see material things. Disease and error seem very real to us, looking at them from a material standpoint. But when the inner sight is cleared, we look from another standpoint, and are sure to find that material sense has given false testimony; and what seemed real before, has been proven to have no real basis. Even with a faint perception of Christian Science we can remove mountains of discord, and with every victory over sense and self will we be able to comprehend more and more its depth and beauty.




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