Hard work -- without the weariness
HOW to work at capacity day after day and not get worn down by it is a question many face these days. More and more women, for instance, are holding down full-time jobs and then going home to care for family and house. Can one lead a super-busy life without paying the price in fatigue? There is an effective way to combat fatigue. The teachings of Christian Science, in harmony with the Bible, invite us to learn of God as inexhaustible Spirit, as the one infinite Mind, which is never limited or depleted. The Bible 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?''1 When we come to realize that man is the very expression of God, made in His likeness, as the Bible teaches, we begin to see a spiritual basis for overcoming weariness.
Your real identity and mine is not material; it is spiritual, because our creator is Spirit. This 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 us to express the strength and dominion God imparts can take some of the strain out of work. It can lift the sense of burden and heaviness from our day-to-day responsibilities.
Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, ``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.''2 When duties seem exhausting to us, there is something specific we can do that invigorates more thoroughly than physical rest. We can affirm in prayer our unity with Mind and insist on our God-given authority over weariness. This strong stand for the spiritual reality of our being, held to, invariably brings relief. Appealing to the law of God, Spirit, inexhaustible Life, overrules belief in the inevitability of fatigue, unfinished projects, and loss of joy in what we're doing. In fact, turning to God for help will not only lift weariness; through the freshness divinely imparted we'll have even more energy than usual.
Something else that will help us maintain a high level of activity and usefulness in our career is expressing humility -- the kind of sublime humility that shines through Christ Jesus' words ``The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.''3 As the Way-shower illustrated for us in his life and teachings, man's reason for existing is to reflect God, to express the spiritual qualities that constitute his true selfhood and that glorify the creator. Acknowledging God as the sole source of action, ability, intelligence, honors Him, and it does wonders for one's whole experience. As you and I look to God, exhaustless divine Life, for renewal, energy, support, and stamina, we'll find ourselves demonstrating the staying power we need in order to fulfill a demanding schedule. And we'll keep our joy and enthusiasm in the process!
Dealing with weariness in this way has been proved effective. And it provides a long-term benefit.
Mrs. Eddy writes; ``When mentality gives rest to the body, the next toil will fatigue you less, for you are working out the problem of being in divine metaphysics; and in proportion as you understand the control which Mind has over so-called matter, you will be able to demonstrate this control. The scientific and permanent remedy for fatigue is to learn the power of Mind over the body or any illusion of physical weariness, and so destroy this illusion, for matter cannot be weary and heavy-laden.''4
To look to God as the sole source of our strength and well-being is to worship Him in a practical way. It's to take deeply meaningful steps forward in the working out of our salvation.
1Isaiah 40:28. 2Science and Health, p. 387.3John 14:10. 4Science and Health, p. 217. You can find more articles like this one in the Christian Science Sentinel, a weekly magazine. DAILY BIBLE VERSE: The God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Psalms 68:35
