THE desire to maintain harmonious relations with others is practically universal; yet individuals often seem engulfed in discord and dissension. We sometimes yearn for a sudden amelioration of discordant conditions, forgetting that they manifest the erring beliefs in a material selfhood. Christian Scientists are learning to reject these beliefs and the erroneous traits that accompany them, and are striving to express the spiritual man of God's creating. While this development appears to be a gradual process, by persistent effort errors can one by one be replaced with spiritual qualities.
Although they cause friction in human relationships, certain erroneous traits are often ignored as unimportant or as inherent characteristics, incapable of correction. Bad temper or touchy disposition is one of these. Persons may be all too frequently governed by this error, both in trivial incidents and in larger events, and, what is worse, do nothing, or believe that nothing can be done, to maintain equanimity in the face of provocation. Good temper should and can be acquired and expressed in all our affairs.
The importance of self-control has been emphasized throughout the ages. The wise Solomon said, "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." Christ Jesus counseled his followers to express love instead of hate under trying circumstances, saying, "Bless them that curse you,... and pray for them which despitefully use you." He exemplified his teaching by restoring the severed ear of one of his captors in Gethsemane, reflecting in the blessedness of healing the divine Love which he had daily demonstrated. The spirituality or love which blessed his persecutors was due to his reflection of God, divine Love, in all his dealings with mankind. Expressing the same spiritual truth, St. Paul later declared that love "is not easily provoked."
