How important is the standpoint from which we observe, and how certain we should be that we look at each thing aright! There are many who, observing conditions from a material standpoint, take a pessimistic, gloomy view, anticipating trouble, fearing horrors and suffering. They become downcast, depressed and mesmerized by erroneous thinking, and seemingly unable to release themselves from it go on delving, brooding, and arguing, until they do not know what they are to believe. And yet the solution of the problem may be found not far away.
Christ Jesus said, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Happiness, health, purity, love, joy, kindness, and all that goes to make up "the kingdom of God" come not with observing and delving into matter and its so-called laws. Our sense of well-being, peace, serenity, happiness is to be found within our own consciousness of spiritual reality. Obviously, then, it is necessary that we should think from the standpoint of real being.
Christian Science, interpreting the spiritual meaning of the Bible, especially the Master's teaching, shows that the material point of view is a mistaken one, and enables us to turn from the material sense of things to the spiritual; and it gives specific directions for accomplishing this change of view. For instance, Mary Baker Eddy says on page 261 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "Look away from the body into Truth and Love, the Principle of all happiness, harmony, and immortality. Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts."
