One week before starting an Army para-troop training course I severely sprained my ankle. And I was to be required to engage in continual jumping activity for a month. From the first day of training it was painfully clear that I could never complete the course by gritting my teeth and willing my way through. More than human courage and strength would be required. I decided to turn wholeheartedly to God, and, in humility, I found that His strength replaced my weakness.
The healing came gradually. Many times I was tempted to drop out, but I persevered, helped by the patient support of a Christian Science Minister for the Armed Services. My prayer of desire was to prove God as the source of courage and strength, and I was encouraged by God's message to Jehoshaphat (II Chron. 20: 15— 17): "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. . . . Set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you."
Through this experience I gained many valuable lessons, including a clearer understanding of Mrs. Eddy's statement, "Love is not hasty to deliver us from temptation, for Love means that we shall be tried and purified" (Science and Health, p. 22). The healing of the ankle was complete. It so impressed me that I immediately applied for membership in The Mother Church and soon thereafter in a branch church.
