It has been truly said that the design of wisdom may be found in all events. Whatever the human circumstance may be, there is no justification for a Christian Scientist to believe that things are working against him. Such an assertion is an admission of defeat and should never be entertained for a moment. Moreover, it is not true; and this is made plain by the Apostle Paul, who declared (Rom. 8:28), "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Whatever it is that seems to be happening, whether good or bad, can be proved salutary if viewed in the right light. The spiritual point of view is essential. An illustration may be found in the life of Joseph, the son of Jacob. Material circumstances often seemed to be against Joseph: he was envied and hated by his brethren, cast into a pit, sold to the Ishmaelites, accused unjustly, and imprisoned for two years in an Egyptian prison.
These events did not seem salutary, and yet they proved so. Joseph was spiritually-minded and thus able to turn every adverse circumstance into an opportunity. The study of his character and career shows him to have been without resentment. He never bemoaned his fate, blamed his accusers, or allowed himself to be carried away by his subsequent successes. His perfect balance under difficult circumstances is particularly noticeable. The keynote of his success is seen in the statement he made to his brothers when he disclosed his identity (Gen. 45:5), "God did send me before you to preserve life."
