It has been proved that Christian Science heals hopelessness and sadness. Because it can be applied to the solution of all difficulties, it brings confidence and joy. This is in consonance with the Bible. "Be glad and rejoice with all the heart" is the encouragement given by the prophet Zephaniah (3:14). Christ Jesus lived in the atmosphere of spiritual bliss, and he taught his disciples and listeners how they could share in his joy. We find confirmation of this in Jesus' statement (John 15:11), "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
One sometimes meets those who do not dare to rejoice, who are afraid to be happy. The author has found this attitude in people who keep alive in their consciousness past sorrow and past misfortunes, thus tormenting themselves. This has led to a latent fear which has not allowed them to be happy, but has nourished in them the belief that joy and happiness might become to them the source of added sorrow. This kind of fear is not justified by the words in the fourteenth chapter of Proverbs (verse 13), "The end of that mirth is heaviness." A careful reading of this chapter shows that the conduct of the godless is being compared with that of the upright and the actions of the foolish with those of the wise. The joy which is followed by sadness is the joy of the godless, not the joy of the wise, the Christly joy, which cannot be taken away.
True joy has nothing in common with that of the world and its children. True joy is enduring, spiritual, because it has its origin in the Father-Mother God. God is Love, and not one of His children can be thrust out of this Love, because there is no place where Love is not. Love, the creative Principle of all being, forms its reflection, man, from joy. True joy is selfless. It is available to all mankind, and we can share in it at all times.
