Thank you for this post!
From the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary:
Exalt
3. To elevate with joy or confidence;
Ordeal
2. Severe trial; accurate scrutiny.
Scrutiny
1. Close search; minute inquiry; critical examination;
These definitions gave me new insight into this citation: I have been learning in Plainfield that the “severe trials” faced while striving to understand and demonstrate Christian Science come from the increasingly “accurate scrutiny” we have of our consciousness, and how that ongoing “critical examination” exposes error and attunes our spiritual sense so that we can be useful to God. As our prayer becomes “cleanse thou me from secret faults” (Psalm 19:12) we must then be ready to handle any error that is exposed with Science.
So many examples in the lives of Christ Jesus and Mary Baker Eddy show why longsuffering is a fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) Other examples in the Bible show how the ingratitude of murmuring hardens the heart and stops us listening for the still, small voice. Since no one is forcing me to be here, and every step in this Science has brought only blessings, there is no reason for me to do anything but rejoice for the opportunities God has given me!
To have perspective on this, my time before coming to this Church had many severe trials that did not end in joy or confidence. Those ordeals were from being overcome by error, instead of overcoming it. Since “Error comes to you for life and you give it all the life it has” (Mary Baker Eddy, Christian Science Journal, 1912) it is clear that while at one time I ignorantly gave it life, it is now only through the understanding and application of Christian Science that I can begin to make it right.
I thank God for Christian Science, this Church, and practitioner support for helping me to gain the understanding necessary to get this far, and to keep moving forward. Thank you!