Watching our thinking, and striving to maintain the Biblical standard of "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ," II Cor. 10:5. are an important part of being a Christian Scientist. Critical and resistant thought stifles praise, hides inspiration, and keeps us from learning the lessons we need to learn. "Spirit blesses man, but man cannot 'tell whence it cometh,'" Science and Health, p. 78. writes Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health. Preconceived notions of where and how divine inspiration is to be found and of where it is not to be found are limiting and deprive us of new insights into the universal Christ, Truth.
This was illustrated for me one evening at church during a Wednesday testimony meeting when the organist began playing an unfamiliar melody for one of the hymns. It seemed, at first, unsingable. I was disappointed. However, I was learning to be wary of faultfinding and to value the importance of humility—of being willing to look always for good—and so I gratefully opened my heart, listening for God's direction. Even as I struggled to follow the melody line and sing the hymn, my thought was suddenly filled with inspiration and love. I quickly found the hymn to have new meaning, and the melody became a delight. I sang with praise!
This experience pointed out to me something of what is necessary if we are to extricate ourselves from destructive criticism that would keep us from seeing the presence of God's goodness—and praising it. This statement of Mrs. Eddy's in Science and Health is an excellent starting place: "Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea." Ibid., pp. 323-324. Humility and meekness open our thought to learning to do things God's way; they help free us from narrow, personal opinion.
