At one time or another, each of us has probably felt incapable of handling certain situations. We may have been praying about a physical, financial, or relationship problem for some time, but perhaps without healing or resolution. Or perhaps something has just come up that needs immediate attention, but we don't know how to begin.
In his Sermon on the Mount, Christ Jesus declared, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt. 6:33 To me this means that when we face a challenge, we need to go beyond our desire for a particular healing or an easier day. What we really need is a higher concept of God and man, at one with each other, though distinct, in the kingdom of heaven.
The kingdom of heaven is not a locality, either far-off or up above. It is a state of consciousness. In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy describes Kingdom of Heaven as "the reign of harmony in divine Science; the realm of unerring, eternal, and omnipotent Mind; the atmosphere of Spirit, where Soul is supreme." Science and Health, p. 590 Since the kingdom of heaven is within our own consciousness, we can never be without it or without God, no matter what the material evidence seems to be. The kingdom of heaven is within us, within our understanding of the oneness of God and man.
