There sometimes comes a time in our human experience when it seems equally impossible either to go forward or to remain where we are. In this dilemma, the Christian Scientist turns his thought to God, and to the realization of the unceasing operation of spiritual law everywhere acting in behalf of man. In this time of prayer he figuratively stands still, shuts out the clamor of mortal mind, the anxious suggestions which would fret and confuse him, and listens for the voice of God to guide him in the right way. As the tumult of error dies down and the direction of divine Mind becomes clearer, the dilemma ceases to exist as such, and is seen to be simply a delusion of the material senses. The entire situation then resolves itself into an experience which can only serve to exalt him to a further unfoldment of the nature of God.
It is of interest to the student of Christian Science to notice the number of times in the history of the children of Israel that they were told to stand still. When the Israelites saw before them the Red Sea, and behind them the pursuing Egyptians, so that humanly they were placed in an inescapable dilemma, Moses commanded them, "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord." Then the next forward step was made clear to them, and the loving care of God was demonstrated. A similar injunction was given to Jehoshaphat when he was surrounded by his enemies (see II Chronicles 20:17). David also, out of his great experience, proclaimed his absolute confidence in divine power to overcome every seeming difficulty when he wrote, "Be still, and know that I am God." Today, in the universal moral chemicalization as seen in widespread war and destruction, many have been able to prove God's unerring guidance and protection by standing still and realizing the all-presence of God.
Through the teachings of Christian Science, the student is learning, however, that to stand still denotes no negative attitude, no escapist attempt to avoid facts and hide from reality, no defeatist submission to material events and persons, but a positive attitude toward all the suggestions of mortal mind. In this connection the word "still" may not mean "motionless" so much as "not disturbed by agitation or noise" (Webster). Standing still, then, more properly suggests standing undisturbed. It is also helpful to note that the verb ''to stand" is derived from the Latin stare (to stand), which also forms the root of the English verb "to resist." Scientifically we may connect these two words and see that true standing is actively resisting. Yet the question may be asked, How and what were the Israelites to resist, caught as they were between the Red Sea and the Egyptians? To this, Christian Science answers, in the words of our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 218), "Resist the temptation to believe in matter as intelligent, as having sensation or power." Just so may we in similar circumstances resist the temptation to believe in any other power or reality than Spirit, good, and resist the false suggestions of fear, confusion, doubt, defeat, uncertainty.
