Unless the habitual thinking of a student of Christian Science is characterized by cheerfulness, contentment, and light, he has either failed to grasp the fundamentals of this Science, or, perceiving the truth, has failed to practice it in his daily life. Vague dissatisfaction, irritation, resentment, once recognized, however, in one's mental make-up, can promptly be shown the door, and the opposite virtues of contentment, meekness, and appreciation of blessings can be welcomed in. Christian Science does not teach a superficial optimism. It brings to the very deeps of human experience a profound, spiritual logic that satisfies and heals, Whoever faithfully studies in The Christian Science Quarterly such a lesson as that on "God the Only Cause and Creator." cannot fail to receive healing of discouragement and depression. This teaching of Mrs. Eddy's, that God is the only cause of all that really exists, is in fact the only power in the world that can heal human woe. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 231) in the statement: "God is not the author of mortal discords. Therefore we accept the conclusion that discords have only a fabulous existence, are mortal beliefs which divine Truth and Love destroy." there is presented a truth which, when realized, is the basis of a perfect treatment for inharmony of every sort.
Admitting, then, that trouble has no real cause back of it, and that it can be wiped out of human experience through the understanding of good as the only cause, the next step is to act as though we believed what we said. We must begin to be actually grateful. Now it is the common teaching of psychology that an adult's habits are fixed and hard to change, but Christian Science upsets this false teaching with the declaration that nothing is fixed that is not good, and it tells a man that at any age, at any time, anywhere, he can begin to think right. A man can acquire the habit of contentment. At first the adult may rebel against the discipline of a new kind of thinking, but the man can learn as well as the child if he will only admit that he can. Once his thought is bent on being glad instead of sad, he will find numberless opportunities for little rejoicings. He can systematically, persistently, cheerfully think on the positive side as the little daily vexations assail him. Instead of being irritated at losing a car he can rejoice that he is able to be up and take a car. Instead of losing his temper at the telephone he can be thankful that he has a telephone. In fact, instead of habitually nursing a sense of self-pity and resentment, he can, through prayer and faithful trying, grow into the practice of hourly praising God, good.
The concept of gratitude may be quickened and ennobled by meditating upon the spiritual significance of the great Bible characters. Gratitude is a living, active, fruitful quality of spiritual man. That this attribute was possessed in a remarkable degree by the great men of the Bible is shown by the action of Moses at the Red Sea, Daniel in the lions' den, the apostles in prison, Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus. Far beyond a passive willingness to accept benefits, they mentally fought for their highest sense of omnipotence; they dared to take God at His word: they went over wholly to the side of divine Mind. And in all cases this vigorous loyalty to Truth resulted in an immediate expression of freedom in human experience.
