Some time ago I awakened in the middle of the night with my consciousness flooded with these words from Isaiah: "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." At that time I saw no reason for this message, but it was not long afterwards that I did see it as a beacon light to guide me through the darkness or ignorance of the carnal mind, which enticed me to be offended and then to give in to an overwhelming sense of hurt feelings, resulting in resentment and hate. With this state of thought came a physical disturbance, which would have been called nervous prostration. With the help of God, through the teachings of Christian Science, and with the understanding and compassionate help of a dear friend and practitioner, these spells were of short duration.
When my thoughts were somewhat improved this trouble was overcome. The first lesson I had to learn was that of discipline. But there were more lessons to be learned; for selfwill, arrogance, resentment, and hurt pride were still struggling for acceptance, causing more physical suffering. Through this I had to learn the real import of forgiveness. But the hardest and longest lesson of all was when I saw the necessity of saying with humility, Father, forgive me; for I knew not what I did.
Through this mental upheaval, which lasted for months, I had to learn many lessons of gratitude, humility, meekness, charity, patience, faith, confidence, courage, and to realize in a larger degree than ever before that in God's kingdom all are brothers and sisters.
