Tag: evil

Facing your fears…like the Hobbits did

Published on by lindseybiggsLeave a comment

Recently my husband and I watched “The Hobbit” and the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

The “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, in particular, is quite intense with epic battle scenes and constant toil for the characters. I often find myself echoing the Hobbit’s sentiment of being a peaceful people who don’t like adventures. Even watching these movies can be quite exhausting!

As one might already know, watching the extended version of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy is quite an endeavor in and of itself. So I figured I should get the most out of it. Well, I did because I had a spiritual breakthrough!

We might want to run away from the challenges that confront us, like Bilbo & Frodo Baggins wanted to. However, we have the “sword of Truth”, the “armor of goodness” that we can wield to overcome the deception of evil.

For instance, was the ring that Frodo was carrying actually physically heavier as he was climbing up the mountain of Mordor to throw it into the fire? I don’t think so. The ring weighed the same as it always had. However, the resistance to good and the temptation of evil is what seemed to be heavier in Frodo’s thought and he had to summon the courage and will to overcome it.

What if Jesus simply wanted to have a peaceful life and avoid conflict? We wouldn’t have his supreme example of overcoming every obstacle of evil and demonstrating the victory of good, divine Love and spiritual Life. Jesus’ example proves what is possible, and his life-work has been inspiring to me many times.

So, though I may echo the sentiment of the Hobbits, I can feel the dominion of their victory by the end of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. The young Hobbits return home with an understanding of what it takes to overcome evil (love, unity, strength, etc). Conquering their fears, instead of hiding from them, has made Middle-earth a better place for all of its inhabitants.

Reblog: Counteracting hate

Published on by lindseybiggsLeave a comment

This article really helps me see how to pray about the global issues that are happening.

Counteracting hate

A Christian Science perspective: When different groups of people are accused of hate and intolerance, and violence erupts, how can prayer contribute to healing?

By Melanie Hahn Ball  (Reblogged from CSMonitor.com)

What can dedicated spiritual thinkers do to uncover and repudiate the underlying cause of violence? Recent events in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen have prompted many questions regarding security, hate speech, and religious tolerance….

Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered Christian Science, offers clear, intelligent ideas on how to focus our prayers during times of upheaval and violence. Comparing malicious hatred to a serpent, she described what motivates violent acts not as individuals but as evil – masking itself as person, place, or cause. She wrote: “The serpentine form stands for subtlety, winding its way amidst all evil, but doing this in the name of good…. It is the animal instinct in mortals, which would impel them to devour each other….

“This malicious animal instinct, … incites mortals to kill morally and physically even their fellow-mortals, and worse still, to charge the innocent with the crime” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, pp. 563-564). Read more

Evil’s suggestions

Published on by lindseybiggs1 Comment

I think we can learn a lot from Eve in the Bible. Notice in this allegory, that evil didn’t make Eve do anything. Evil didn’t force this metaphorical apple down her throat. Eve made the decision to consume the apple.

The illusion of evil is often suggesting that we do, say or think many things which are contrary to our nature. Our inherent nature is spiritual, pure and perfect. We bite into this apple when we are mesmerized to think we are not who we are.

If we think we are sinful, sickly mortals then we follow that pattern. But if we realize we are spiritual ideas of the Infinite/Supreme, the image and likeness of the Divine, then that will show us how to think and act right here and now.

Mary Baker Eddy, a Christian teacher and healer, wrote,

“The Revelator tells us of ‘a new heaven and a new earth.’ Have you ever pictured this heaven and earth, inhabited by beings under the control of supreme wisdom?”

She then tells us how to live being controlled by supreme wisdom:

“Let us rid ourselves of the belief that man is separated from God, and obey only the divine Principle, Life and Love. Here is the great point of departure for all true spiritual growth.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 91)

Seeing and understanding our divinely given spiritual nature and identity gives us power and authority to resist the illusion of evil and live an inspired, thoughtful, compassionate and healthy life right here and now. This makes us live in accord with God’s will, allows the Holy Spirit, Christ, to impel, guide, uplift us, and enables us to help others.

Have fun living your Christly, spiritual life today! Let your light shine 🙂