An eternal Father’s Day
Susan Collins, CSB, from New York, New York, USA.

Susan Collins, CSB, from New York, New York, USA.

 

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Also published on ChristianScienceMonitor.com

]]> 353 https://susancollinscsb.com/2018/07/25/your-daily-lift-for-july-25-2018-your-sleep-can-be-sweet-by-susan-collins-csb/ Wed, 25 Jul 2018 23:35:41 +0000 https://susancollinscsb.com/?p=312
July 25, 2018
Your sleep can be sweet
Susan Collins, CSB, from New York, New York, USA.

 

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Also published on ChristianScienceMonitor.com:

Insomnia healed

Today’s contributor found lasting freedom from chronic sleeplessness when she took a spiritual approach of seeking “the peace of God, which passes all understanding.”

July 25, 2018
By Susan S. Collins

Many people face chronic sleeplessness, accompanied by a desire for daily, peace-filled rest. The sleep industry is enormous: sleep masks, white noise and other machines, activity trackers, biofeedback sleep hats, prescription and over-the-counter remedies – not to mention various food combinations, videos, and reading suggestions all claiming to help us rest.

But I’ve found the most effective approach to be a radically different one – a spiritual one. For years I struggled with insomnia. At one point I calculated that I needed to go to bed 1-1/2 to 2 hours prior to when I actually wanted to fall asleep. At times I took medication, too. But none of this resolved the problem.

Then, just before commencing graduate school, I found Christian Science – the Science of the divine Mind. Through what I was learning, I saw quite quickly how our thinking impacts our experience, for better or worse. I began to see how turning our thought to God, the intelligent, always present divine consciousness, or Mind, enables us to hear the ideas He sends each of us, which bring inspiration and healing.

I wasn’t too far along in this line of reasoning when I decided to call a Christian Science practitioner one evening to help me with the insomnia. Practitioners devote themselves to praying for healing when people request it, understanding and trusting always that divine Mind meets every genuine need. I don’t remember everything the practitioner said that evening, but I definitely felt assured that I was deeply cherished and cared for by our Maker, God, divine Love, and that there was a solution.

One idea the practitioner shared was this verse from the Bible: “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet” (Proverbs 3:24). What a blessed assurance! I didn’t have to be afraid when I lay down to rest peacefully. I didn’t need to get caught up in the anxiety-filled, angst-packed thoughts that had been keeping me awake. Because God, Mind, is Love, He communicates only good thoughts – intelligent, sweet ones. Another Bible passage assures us, “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7, Jubilee Bible 2000). When we are receptive to God’s thoughts, we come to see that our being is filled with good.

And because we are made in God’s image (see Genesis 1:26, 27), His beloved spiritual sons and daughters, we are innately able to discern which thoughts are from our divine Father-Mother and which are not. Thoughts that produce fear, hurt, disappointment, or anger are not from God. No need to commune with them! God’s thoughts, on the other hand, bring peace, calm, insight, and love. These are wonderfully acceptable and healing.

That night, after I spoke with the practitioner and took these ideas to heart, I was filled with awesome hope and gratitude, and I was permanently healed of insomnia. To me, this was proof that a sincere desire to know God does bring practical, healing answers to the challenges we face in day-to-day living. Our Maker cherishes each of His children and has made us all able to hear Him, understand Him, and obey Him.

You too can have a peaceful and normal repose as you listen for our heavenly Father-Mother’s tender, wise ministrations.

]]> 312 https://susancollinscsb.com/2018/04/12/be-single-minded/ Thu, 12 Apr 2018 09:53:47 +0000 https://susancollinscsb.com/?p=281
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018
Be single-minded
Susan Collins, CSB, from New York, New York, USA

You can read Susan’s article in the Christian Science Sentinel.  And you can find more inspiring—and healing—ideas in this week’s Christian Science Bible Lesson.

]]> 281 https://susancollinscsb.com/2017/10/20/healing-broken-hearts/ Sat, 21 Oct 2017 00:55:08 +0000 https://susancollinscsb.com/?p=234
August 2017
Overcoming Heartbreak
Susan Collins, CSB, from New York, New York, USA.

 

A Christian Science perspective: Realizing that we can never be separated from divine Love brings genuine peace and a renewed sense of joy.

The end of a friendship or a promising romance can feel pretty devastating. I’ve found help in two ideas in Mary Baker Eddy’s book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: “Human affection is not poured forth vainly, even though it meet no return” (p. 57). And, referring to God as divine Love, “Love supports the struggling heart until it ceases to sigh over the world….”

Can divine Love really heal a broken heart? The Gospel of Mark in the Bible reassures us: “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible” (10:27).

Once I fell in love with a warm and witty man. He was well read, and we could talk about anything. But despite our common interests, it became obvious we had major differences, and our relationship ended. The dreams, the plans … dashed!

For a time I really struggled, but I prayed to gain peace, healing. Gradually I began to understand that because God created everyone, He naturally governs and relates all of us to each other and to all that is good. These relations can only bless. I began to feel that I could truly lean on God for guidance and direction, and know that our true keeper had a purpose of good for myself – and my friend.

I learned that although sharing and companionship are a great blessing, the kingdom of heaven – full and lasting happiness – is within each of us, as Christ Jesus taught (see Luke 17:21). We truly live within the consciousness of divine Love, and the tatters of sadness and grief don’t abide there, for us or anyone.

As I became more aware of this spiritual reality, I found I was increasingly joyful, rather than disappointed or lonely. I became more conscientious about watching the kinds of thoughts I was letting in, entertaining, and sending out.

It wasn’t always easy, but this was a time of spiritual growth that turned out to be a great blessing for both me and my friend. The fact is, these types of experiences can enrich our character, draw our thought closer to our Maker, and inspire our efforts to help others. We can go forward and find genuine peace and renewed joy.

​A version of this article aired on the Aug. 31, 2017, Christian Science Daily Lift podcast.

Published on CSMonitor.com

]]> 234 https://susancollinscsb.com/2017/06/27/your-daily-lift-for-june-2017-my-expectation-is-from-god-by-susan-collins-csb/ Wed, 28 Jun 2017 00:21:28 +0000 https://susancollinscsb.com/?p=259
June 2017
My Expectation is from God
Susan Collins, CSB, from New York, New York, USA.

 

]]> 259 https://susancollinscsb.com/2017/05/03/your-daily-lift-for-may-1-2017-a-whole-new-you-by-susan-collins-csb/ Wed, 03 May 2017 05:22:25 +0000 https://susancollinscsb.com/?p=222
MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017
A Whole New You
Susan Collins, CSB, from New York, New York, USA.

 

]]> 222 https://susancollinscsb.com/2017/02/15/your-daily-lift-for-february-15-2017-matters-of-the-heart-by-susan-collins-csb/ Wed, 15 Feb 2017 08:14:40 +0000 https://susancollinscsb.com/?p=207
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017
Matters of the heart
Susan Collins, CSB, from New York, New York, USA.

Check out more about Susan’s experience in her article in The Christian Science Journal.

Also available in Deutsch, Español, Français, and Português

]]> 207 https://susancollinscsb.com/2015/04/14/your-daily-lift-for-41415-active-prayer-by-susan-collins-cs/ Tue, 14 Apr 2015 21:58:53 +0000 http://susancollinscs.com/?p=81

Click the player to listen:

Originally published on Your Daily Lift / ChristianScience.com
http://christianscience.com/prayer-and-health/inspirational-media/your-daily-lift/4-14-active-prayer

Listen to Susan and others expand on these ideas in this related Sentinel Radio program, “Gratitude to God: an active prayer”.

]]> 81 https://susancollinscsb.com/2015/02/05/mindbody-connection-your-daily-lift-252015-audio/ Thu, 05 Feb 2015 19:58:50 +0000 http://susancollinscs.com/?p=75

Click the player button below to listen to this audio clip, or download the mp3 here.

Originally shared in the 2/5/15 ChristianScience.com “Your Daily Lift”: http://christianscience.com/prayer-and-health/inspirational-media/your-daily-lift/2-5-mind-body-connection

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