The Fellowship Herald Spring 2026 - Magazine - Page 7
He learned to trust the presence of his Father’s counsel
collaboration with his Thought Adjuster—that built the sure foundation for him to
stand up against the tides of life's vicissitudes and obstacles without complaint
and fear.
We are fortunate to have such an intimate record of many of those decisions,
from soon after he was indwelt with his adjuster right up until the time of the
transfiguration. I will look specifically at those he made in childhood and youth.
First however, let us examine the value of balance as it applies to character
development, thus allowing for the possibility of mastery. Without balance, those
desirable and necessary character strengths such as discipline, loyalty,
trustworthiness, determination, patience, and self-control can lead to poor or
dangerous judgements or be perverted into fanaticism.
John the Baptist used the strength of his fiery personality to successfully open the
way for the ministry of Jesus but lost his head because of lack of political wisdom.
Our newscasts today sadly tell us of persons whose loyalty to religious or political
beliefs create destruction and pain instead of a better world to live in.
Jesus's life proved that decisions built on a foundation of love in concert with the
thoughts of a well-organized mind are a neutralizing counter force to ill-advised
passions and destructive urges. When confronted by religious, social, and political
pressures, Jesus never followed the route of a strictly emotional or intellectual
decision. From the earliest childhood, he had learned to trust the presence of the
Father's counsel even when doubt and confusion were present to challenge that
channel of communication.
Following is a simple graphic to help us understand the interwoven fabric of his
life and how his decisions acted as the foundation for his masterful expression.
For a description of Jesus’s character, see 100:7 (1101.5).
Home and Family
Balanced
Social
TA
Education
Personality
Spiritual
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