During a trying business experience, when it seemed as though intimidation were being used to force her to submit to certain conditions, a Christian Scientist was greatly helped by the admonition, "Maintain your poise!" Considered humanly, poise may be an acquired trait which helps one meet the vicissitudes of mortal existence with composure. This sense of poise, based upon education and training, is at best superficial. Cultivated because of the supposed necessity of striking a balance between two different things or forces, this pseudo poise is at the mercy of both good and evil. Hence it can be shaken.
But in the Bible we have ample evidence that there is a poise which results from trust in and understanding of God as All, and of evil as nothing. The Old Testament contains several outstanding examples of spiritual poise maintained to such a degree in the face of crushing human experiences that the seeming victims of evil were delivered from the carnal mind, which claimed to be capable of destroying them.
One of the most graphic of these is depicted in the sixth chapter of II Kings. The prophet Elisha appeared to be the target for the enmity of a powerful king. This potentate sent horses, chariots, and a great host to surround the city in which Elisha was dwelling, with the intention of capturing him. Elisha's servant, fearful of what appeared to be overwhelming material power, helplessly asked, "Alas, my master! how shall we do?"
