Instantaneous healings result from the spiritual understanding that a perfect God has created all and has created it good.
Not all healings are instantaneous in the sense that error is quickly destroyed and harmony immediately realized. But regardless of how real error may seem at the moment, frustration, doubt, discouragement, and impatience can all be overcome. This is accomplished as one recognizes the aggressive suggestion not as a formidable foe, but as an opportunity to experience the healing presence of the Christ. Perhaps some preparatory mental work is needed, some purification of thought, in order to attain a more steadfast confidence in God. Each healing experience proves the availability of spiritual power, and nothing can deprive one of the blessings which come from demonstrating dominion over false material beliefs.
When one has done prayerful work to destroy an error and the healing is still delayed, then the need for steadfastness should not and cannot be overlooked. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians counseled (I Cor. 15:58), "My beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." Mary Baker Eddy gives correlative advice in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 261): "Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts."
