It is recorded in the Bible that as Peter and John were going into the temple, a lame man asked alms of them; and when Peter said, "Look on us," the man "gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them"' (Acts 3:4, 5). Peter told him that he had no silver or gold to give him, but that he would give him what he had. Then he healed him. While the beggar did not receive what he had expected, he obtained something far better. His healing gave him much joy, and perhaps it enabled him to see that he did not have to beg, but could expect all good from God.
Many in the world today are experiencing evil, sickness, poverty, war, and calamity. They are looking to material ways and means for comfort, protection, and security; they are looking primarily to people, parties, or governments for freedom from bondage. The expectancy of good must be from God, Spirit, and Christian Science is teaching mankind how to gain this right expectancy.
Some who turn to Christian Science for help, however, look to the future for release from their troubles instead of the present. The Christian Science practitioner must watch that he is not also tempted to listen to a suggestion of healing at a later date. If the patient mentions treatment for a given number of days or weeks, it is the practitioner's duty to stir this one to expect a healing immediately. There is also a challenge to the healer to rise higher in his understanding of God's allness and to be sure that he himself expects a quick response to his work.
