In the financial services industry, the phrase “peace of mind” is used frequently. Peace of mind is generally viewed as a goal – a state of human consciousness completely free of worry. In the investment world, peace of mind is usually a promise of what can be delivered by a low-risk investment portfolio.
I’ve found it helpful to think of it as “peace of Mind.” Capitalizing the word “Mind” makes all the difference, for as Mary Baker Eddy explains in the Christian Science textbook, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” Mind is a synonym for God. So we might think of peace of Mind as the natural law of God, which brings about all good and meets every need.
When we start with an infinite God who is All-in-all – the only creator of the universe, filling all space and consciousness – there simply is no room for anything else and no place where good can be lacking. “God,” as the Glossary of Science and Health defines Him, is “the great I AM ; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence” (p. 587).
Given the oneness of God, there can be no element of Mind in conflict with itself. Therefore all is peaceful, harmonious, complete – and must be fully provided for. This is the natural state of the spiritual universe, in which we are all included and cared for.
Christ Jesus addressed this issue directly in the Sermon on the Mount when he said, “Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? … But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:31-33).
So before we contemplate the value of our assets or the prospects for our future supply, it’s important to turn to God first and pray to understand His nature, to gain a clearer sense of divine Love’s constant, unchanging power to provide for us. Understanding the allness of Mind brings the peace that is our birthright as the children of God. Our true job is to know this truth and allow Mind to guide us in all our actions.
At one time, my family was in a state of financial stress. We had unwillingly gone from a two-income household down to one income, and our expenses were increasing as the result of our growing family. Then, unexpectedly, the entire senior management team for my company resigned. It was unclear whether my job would continue, or if it did, whether I’d be able to provide the same level of service to my clients without the executives in place. Either scenario could severely hurt my income.
As I drove to work the next day, I began reviewing several worst-case scenarios and how to handle them, when I felt an overwhelming sense of powerlessness. I immediately realized I was, indeed, powerless to change my circumstances, but that was just fine, because God is the only true power.
God’s love for everyone is unlimited and permanent. He has always cared for us. I realized that there was no reason to doubt He’d care for me tomorrow. God’s control was very clear to me, and I was at peace.
Later that day at work, my supervisor came to my office to give me a significant bonus check and let me know I had the firm’s support. She said the transition of the management team would likely make the coming year difficult, but I had nothing to worry about. The size of the bonus check was more than enough to cover the shortfall in my family’s income for that year and provide the financial stability we needed during the employment transition period.
I was very grateful for the financial support, but even more grateful for the quickness of the adjustment in my human situation, giving evidence of the spiritual truth revealed to me just hours before.
If we invest thought in understanding and gaining the peace of Mind, there is nothing that can shake our trust in God’s continuing supply. God, Mind, has already created us whole and complete.
Whether our goal today is managing a portfolio, household needs, or a business, we can take time first to invest in prayer, in affirming and seeking to understand divine Mind’s abundant supply and wise direction. We can see that harmony is already a reality, and walk confidently forward to witness what God has already done.
Adapted from an article published in the April 13, 2015, issue of the Christian Science Sentinel.
