Was just talking to a close friend on Monday who is newly interested in the teachings of Christian Science and when I asked her what she was currently working on in her life, told me more energy for the things she has to do. This lady keeps a full schedule, and unlike many people who think a candy bar here and there will boost their output, eating chocolate (which she dearly loves) completely shuts her down. I couldn't help reflecting on something Mary Baker Eddy points out about how unreliable are man-made theories (which are ever changing) relating to one's health. It made me so grateful to have a religion that turns me to God for help in every aspect of daily life. Even for needed stamina to get through what I have to do.
As a help to some others, I'll give some of the truths I shared with my friend, truths I've learned from my study of the Bible and the teachings of Christian Science. The Bible invites us to learn of God as inexhaustibleSpirit, which is never limited or depleted. In Isaiah, the prophet asks, "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?" (Is. 40:28)
When we come to realize that man is God's child, the very expression of Spirit, we begin to see a spiritual basis for overcoming fatigue. We begin to see that our real identity is not material; it is spiritual, because our creator is Spirit. This spiritual selfhood is characterized by such God-derived qualities as inspiration, energy, strength, and vitality. It is refreshing to realize that our real nature already includes all these qualities. And knowing how natural it is for man to express the strength and dominion God imparts can take the strain out of work. It can lift the sense of burden and heaviness from our day-to-day responsibilities.
Mrs.Eddy refers to the true source of energy in the Christian Science textbook where she writes, "When we reach our limits of mental endurance, we conclude that intellectual labor has been carried sufficiently far; but when we realize that immortal Mind is ever active, and that spiritual energies can neither wear out nor can so-called material law trespass upon God-given powers and resources, we are able to rest in Truth, refreshed by the assurances of immortality, opposed to mortality." Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, page 387.
When we look prayerfully to God as the origin of our strength and joy and well-being, we get a bonus. Not only is our physical and mental stamina increased; putting off material limitations forwards us permanently in the working out of our salvation in the way Jesus taught.
The import of Paul's striking statement "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13) can be felt right here and now. Acknowledging God as the sole cause of action, ability, and intelligence glorifies Him, and it does wonders for our whole life. We'll not only find ourselves demonstrating the staying power we need for life's work; we'll keep our joy and vitality in the process.
