A great cause of unhappiness and discord in our human relations is our failure to accept others as they are, without judgment. Someone we place great confidence in may act in a way we do not expect, and we feel let down and hurt. They have departed from our mental picture of them, and we are disappointed. If we continue expecting others to act according to what we feel is right for them we will find ourselves becoming critical, judgmental, and faultfinding.
We must each seek to mind our own spiritual business. We do not really know what is right and good for another. We have no concept of how the activity of God works in another person’s life. Therefore it is foolish for us to judge or become critical and faultfinding.
We need only to see others as they truly are, children of God and guided by divine love. Behold the activity of God’s Spirit in people. Your faith will encourage them and call forth their best.
Have you been deeply concerned about some mistake you have made in the past? Do you experience guilt feelings over something you have left undone—or something you have done that you feel you shouldn’t have?
If so, remind yourself that there is no limit to the freeing, forgiving love of God. No matter how many mistakes you have made, God’s forgiving love is able to erase them from your mind and the results from your life. All you must do is to be willing to give them up—to repent. Then all things can be made new!
No mistake can stand between you and God. God’s love can never be withdrawn from you. Open your mind and heart and allow God to direct your way into new and vital living experiences. Lift up your eyes to the Lord and let God’s love set you free to be all you are able to be.
How interested are you in solving your problems? Often, we are inclined to complain yet we do nothing about an unpleasant situation. If we are alive and enthusiastic, as children of God should be, the presence of a problem should only stimulate us to overcome it.
If you want to solve your problem, first ask yourself exactly what the problem is. Write it down exactly, precisely stated. Be honest and clear. Then ask the Spirit within you to reveal the cause of this difficulty. Next, determine possible solutions. Write them down. Pray to be guided to choose the best solution. Then act upon your guidance. Stick with it. Carry it out and your problem will be solved.
There are times when we do not see our way clearly, when some situation seems hopelessly tangled and involved, and no answer is in sight. However, there is a right way, a perfect solution to even the most complex situation.
Let us remind ourselves that we have within us a divine spirit capable of establishing order in all our affairs. Instead of dwelling on the seeming impossibility of solving the problems, we must have confidence that this power within us will open the way for the perfect, right solution.
Declare that divine order is established in all your affairs. Affirm that God’s Spirit within you knows the right and perfect way and is directing you toward it.
It takes only a little spark to start a big fire. Small sparks within your mind will work for good or ill, depending on their nature.
Sparks of hate, ill will, resentment, jealousy, and other forms of negativity are the beginnings of big flames that will ultimately destroy you. These should be put out the moment you become aware of their presence within you.
Instead, fan the good sparks—love, harmony, power, strength, enthusiasm, and joy—into a great flame within your mind. As these God-like qualities burn brightly within, you will find that you are protected from all sorts of negativity. As an added blessing, you will find yourself cleansed, healed, and truly transformed.