He who has the right idea of overcoming understands that overcoming involves not only doing good, but also being the man that in reality he already is. He therefore does not endeavor to change something real. He acknowledges that which he already is, the image and likeness of God, and endeavors to demonstrate it.
Absolutely speaking, since man is perfect, he does not possess a single quality which does not originate in God; he does not lack a single quality of good. He is at this moment, always has been, and always will be at the standpoint of perfection, and he is ever conscious of this perfection. Furthermore, he is never conscious of a material sense of existence or imperfection. However, there appears to be a wide chasm between our present demonstration of this fact and the fact itself. It is because of this appearance that overcoming is essential. Indeed, it is a demand of Christian Science. This demand must be met by each and every one of us in working out his salvation. Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, speaks much in her writings about the need of overcoming. In "No and Yes" she writes (p. 33), "The glory of human life is in overcoming sickness, sin, and death." She proved the glory of it in her own experience and has shown us the way.
At one time the writer was mesmerized with a personal sense of responsibility that claimed to be almost overpowering. She found herself making a desperate effort to do good, a great effort to think the truth and to demonstrate what she knew to be true. She had proved many times that God is the Principle of true existence, that He is all-acting, and that man is the expression of God. She knew that man could no more originate action than effect could be cause. She was humbly endeavoring to work the problem out on this basis.
