In a world where frustration, thwarted purpose, and failure seem much in evidence, mankind may well heed the Scriptural words found in the book of Isaiah (66:9): "Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the Lord: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God."
Thought-provoking questions, these, for they challenge a false belief whose acceptance is almost universal—namely, that failure is as natural and normal as success; indeed that success is often unattainable, or at best merely the uncertain outcome of luck, risk, or speculation, rather than the sure reward of constructive thinking and doing. How can God, Mind, whose spiritual ideas necessarily express the very nature and essence of His own infallible selfhood, impart inadequate conceptions or unsuccessful methods to man? Is the divine, all-loving Father-Mother God to be charged with guiding His children only part way in any commendable enterprise and then rewarding man's trust, obedience, and righteous endeavor by deserting him just before he reaps the fulfillment of his labors?
Christian Science does not teach that man's heavenly Father, infinite Love, is a God of frustration. Rather, this Science reveals God's perfect plan for each cherished son and daughter to be one of successful achievement and fruitful accomplishment. It unfolds divine Love as a God of fulfillment, a solicitous God, who justly rewards meritorious endeavor, whose divine aid is always available to the spiritually industrious, and whose infallible wisdom offers constant guidance to the truly diligent heart. Love's laws are omnipotent, bringing victory to every God-directed activity, triumph over every obstacle of material sense which claims to thwart progress. Equipped with the spiritual understanding of God and man which Christian Science imparts, each sincere student may prove in his own individual experience the unreality of defeat and frustration and the present possibility of purposeful attainment.
