MRS. EDDY tells us that "Christian scientific practice begins with Christ's key-note of harmony, 'Be not afraid'" (Science and Health, p. 410). This is surely the fundamental note on which alone the full and perfect chords of love, joy, and peace are based; and these go to make up the harmony of being. Courage is a human stepping-stone leading to the attainment of this harmony. Every day, every hour we need to have the unfaltering courage which in the face of fear still maintains what it knows to be the facts of existence. The effort that turns perseveringly from the mortal sense of sorrow, separation, and loss which clamors for recognition, and which seeks to rise to the understanding of the unreality of any seeming trouble or regret, demonstrates true courage. When faults of character yield slowly to the declaration of Truth, courage of the highest order is necessary to hold steadfastly to the idea of spiritual perfection which characterizes the real man. This patient persistent work brings its own reward, slowly perhaps, but with such absolute certainty that each one may look back and, comparing past with present conditions of thought, say with gratitude, "I am less afraid."
Courage must not, however, be confounded with indifference. We are sometimes tempted to look over or round a difficulty, — to say, "That is not my problem," and so dismiss it without further thought; but every discordant condition is our problem, to the extent that we must clear the belief in its reality out of our thought. The slurring over of even the smallest portion of a problem leads to inaccuracy, and consequent delay in getting the correct solution. We need to look fearlessly at every form of error, to recognize it as error and therefore unreal.
As we advance spiritually, Truth sometimes seems to demand the relinquishment of much of that which we have hitherto considered essential to our happiness, and material sense shrinks from anticipated suffering, but when we learn that we suffer only as we resist the truth, we gain the courage needful for that complete dependence on divine guidance which in its turn brings perfect freedom. It is the striving of material sense to assert itself which causes discord. If the guiding voice of spiritual sense were consistently listened to and obeyed, we should find, even in the face of apparent distress of mind or body, that our way in reality lies through the "green pastures" of Love, and beside the "still waters" of unchanging peace.
The story of Abraham and Isaac is helpful in this connection. Although at first it appeared to Abraham that Love was claiming all he held most dear, he obeyed unquestioningly this demand of his highest concept of obedience and loyalty to God. Then, when his courageous adherence to this interpretation of Truth's commands led him to prepare for the supreme sacrifice of his only son, his thought became so spiritual that his eyes were opened, and it was at once proved to him in a practical way that Love never has demanded, and from its very nature, never can demand, a sacrifice of the true idea.
When describing the events which led to his acceptance of Christianity, St. Paul uses the following words: "Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision." The unassuming simplicity of this statement does not conceal the helpful lesson it contains. The courage necessary for such a radical change of thought and life as this obedience entailed for the apostle, must have been enormous, but he received his reward in spreading the truth through many lands. We, too, must strive to be obedient to "the heavenly vision" in every detail of life, obedient to the highest conception of God, good, which our present understanding reveals to each of us. Disobedience precludes that increase in understanding which will continually raise our standard of thought higher.
Mrs. Eddy has shown us to what heights of accomplishment true courage can lead. Let us therefore cultivate this courage as a necessary stepping-stone across the quagmires of doubt and discord, knowing that every temptation overcome helps to emancipate both ourselves and the world from thraldom to false beliefs. The recognition of this fact is a constant spur to individual effort, and a source of joyful gratitude in each triumph won. Every victory, however small, imparts an increased realization of the power of good, and emphasizes the impotence of evil. It is noticeable how often, in the Old Testament, the words, "Be thou strong and very courageous," or "Be of good courage," preceded the promise of divine guidance and support. And how unfailingly that help came! What marvelous victories, against apparently hopeless odds, were won by fearless reliance on God! We as Christian Scientists are learning that these promises and their glorious fulfillment are still open to us. We shall no longer hamper spiritual attainment by discouragement when we remember that though it is ours to do the work, God will supply the needed strength.
