Lesson 281: I can be hurt by nothing but my thoughts.

God’s Thoughts, which are thoughts of love, can only bring you happiness. Other, meaningless thoughts of fear, judgment and condemnation, can bring the dysfunction of discombobulation, sadness, hurt and illness. The Thoughts you think with God are true and can only bless. Any other thoughts are untrue and at best are a waste of time. When all you receive from the ego's ideas is distraction and unhappiness, why would you ever put your little meaningless ideas in the place where God’s Thoughts belong and where they are? Love yourself, and think only God’s Thoughts of Love.

In Lesson 193 Jesus asks: “How can you tell when you are seeing (or thinking) wrong . . .? Does pain seem real in the perception? If it does, be sure the lesson is not learned. An unforgiveness remains hiding in the mind . . . “ (W-193.7:1-3)

If you are ever sad or hurt or ill, or worried or fearful or anxious, or unloving or ungracious or unforgiving or unfulfilled – then you have simply forgotten what God thinks, have forgotten who you are, and have forgotten that you are as God created you – perfect, whole and complete.

The obvious remedy for forgetfulness is simply to REMEMBER. Remember that you are far beyond the idea of pain, that you are safe in Heaven with your Father watching over you. Simply remember your Source and your holiness.

Lesson 282: I will not be afraid of love today.

In the course Jesus says that your name is the same as God’s. So is your name God? Are you the Father Who is God? The course never calls you “the Father.” It says that you are “the Son.” You are God’s Son; therefore your name is the same as His. This lesson states that your Father’s name is Love and thus so is yours. This is the truth, and truth cannot be changed by giving it another name. Whatever name you are called in this world, it does not negate that your true name is Love. The name of fear, and all names that were taken in fear, is simply a mistake.

The ego represents the fear of love. It is a mental stance that rejects Love as your Source or your Self. It is a stance that refuses to recognize Love in everyone and everything around you. And yet to be afraid of that which eternally wills only your good, is insane. So to accept this lesson is “the decision not to be insane.” (1:2)

Do not be afraid of the truth, and do not take the name of fear instead of the name of Love. In all situations, in all relationships, remember your true name, remember the truth, and be not afraid. Rather than choosing to sleep in dreams of death, choose to be awake in the truth that remains forever living in the joy of love. If you will realize just this -- not to be afraid of love, to give fear none of your power of attention -- it will mean salvation for the world. Can a goal more worthy be found?

Lesson 283: My true Identity abides in You.

“Abides” means “lives or dwells” but it also means “remains unchanged.” Your true Identity – which is love – abides lives, dwells AND remains unchanged in you. In your imagination, you made a false image of yourself that you call the Son of God. This image is not you, for creation remains the same as it was, unchanged by any thought that is imagined. Your holiness remains the light of Heaven and the love of God. What is beloved of God is secure. And the light of Heaven is infinite, so you cannot perish, not even when the body is of no further use and is laid aside! Not even then! God is your only Source, and everything is created part of Him and therefore part of you.

So offer blessing to all things, and unite lovingly with all that your forgiveness is showing to you.

Lesson 284: I can elect to change all thoughts that hurt.

This is welcome news. If you can be hurt by nothing but your thoughts and you can elect to change all thoughts that hurt, then by your own choice you need never be hurt again. So what does it take to effect this change? Proper perception is the place to start. Loss is not loss when properly perceived; pain is impossible; there is no grief with any cause at all; and suffering of any kind is but a dream.

Though this may not be your current experience, it is the truth, brothers – at first to be but said and then repeated many times; and next to be accepted as but partly true, with many reservations. Then this truth is to be considered seriously more and more, and finally accepted as truly true. Simply go beyond this lesson, past all reservations, and arrive at full acceptance of the truth, recognizing that nothing your Father has given you can hurt. So trust in Him now, accepting only the joyous as His gifts, accepting only the joyous from your Father as the truth!

Lesson 285: My holiness shines bright and clear today.

Accepting your holiness is the key to understanding this lesson. If insanity departs from you today, and you accept your holiness instead, then only the happiness of God will come to you. What is the use of pain to you who are holy? What purpose would suffering fulfill for the holy? How would grief and loss avail you, if you have accepted your holiness? Holiness is entirely apart from pain, suffering, grief and loss. Holiness is one with joy and happiness, so accept your holiness and be happy.

Lesson 286: The hush of Heaven holds my heart today.

Ah, yes. In the stillness, quiet, and holy hush of Heaven, all things fall into place, and you come to understand that there is no need that you do anything. (See under "Topics and Stories" -- I Need Do Nothing.)

Prayer:

Father, we are Your Sons, Your loving creation, and we will to come home to Heaven now. Amen

Lesson 287: You are my goal, my Father. Only You.

(See under "Topics and Stories" -- My Goal is God.)

Whatever you choose to do in this world, choose to do it with the idea of your goal of God in your mind. Choose to be happy and to be the peace of God. Seek and find and keep your Identity, with the understanding that you would rather live with love than fear.

Let all situations be in your life only to lead you to your goal. Learn the lesson that each situation, each relationship will teach to you. Let your goal of God help you to choose all of your encounters, activities and relationships to draw you closer to Him.. What but the memory of God can signify to you the end of dreams and futile substitutions for the truth?