In the book of Psalms we are told many times to bless or praise the Lord, to sing and give thanks unto Him. It is in the spirit of the Psalmist's counsel that I should like to express my thanks to God—God as I have learned to know Him through the study of Christian Science. Step by step I am gaining a greater understanding of God as good and of the fact that good rules the universe.
About seven years ago I was afflicted with influenza in a severe form. I had learned through the study of Christian Science that this was but a belief of mortal mind and that it did not proceed from God, because He is all-loving and would not thus afflict His idea, man. However, I was unable to overcome the difficulty and grew steadily weaker until it seemed impossible to study our textbooks, the Bible and Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. But I did recall this statement (Science and Health, p. 393): "Mind is the master of the corporeal senses, and can conquer sickness, sin, and death. Exercise this God-given authority. Take possession of your body, and govern its feeling and action."
I wondered how I could exercise when I seemed to be so weak. Then the thought came that the exercise I needed was mental not physical. I began this spiritual exercise by recalling as many Godlike qualities as I could. As I did so I affirmed that each one was included in my identity as a child of God. I thought of such qualities as health, harmony, intelligence, love, and strength. As I prayed, these words from the Bible, referring to man, came to me (Isa. 43:7), "I have created him for my glory," and I saw at once that I was necessary to God's complete manifestation of health, perfection, peace, joy, wisdom, and understanding. With this realization I was healed. This experience has helped me many times as I continue to study and grow in my understanding of God and His attributes.
