The Supreme Being works through laws that are absolutely just and
unchanging. Therefore all disaster and trouble in the life is the
effect of certain causes. These causes are our own wrong doing in
the past, which set in motion forces, against which the power and
wit and wisdom of man are powerless. [4] However, because the
fundamental law of the Universe is love, it follows that the working
of the law of cause and effect is not vindictive. Its object is our
highest good, viz., to bring us into union with the Divine or in tune
with the Infinite. Therefore, by rising up to a higher plane and
coming more into harmony and union with the Divine, we rob even big
fate of something of its power. We cannot oppose it, for by so doing
we fight against Omnipotence, but we can _forestall_ it by doing
willingly, and of our own accord, that very thing which experience
comes to teach us.

[4] Another cause is that the soul has failed to learn certain
lessons, therefore, in this life, many painful experiences are
brought to bear, in such a way, as to teach the necessary
lessons. The lessons are, however, learnt only if painful or
unpleasant experiences are met in the right way. So long as
man believes that he is unjustly treated by fate and that he
does not "deserve" what life metes out to him, he intensifies
his troubles, both now and hereafter, through not learning the
lessons that life desires to teach. When, however man realizes
and admits that life is just and that the cause of all his
troubles is within himself, he, like the prodigal son comes
to himself and, soon afterwards, begins his homeward journey.
Yet another cause is that the soul is deficient in character.
Strength and stability of character can be built up through
the soul meeting trouble and difficulty. Again it must be