Over twenty-five years ago I was healed of asthma through the application of Christian Science. With much gratitude I testify that I have continued to be completely free from that complaint.
At the time of my healing I did not apply for membership in The Mother Church or a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, for I still used tobacco and alcoholic beverages. A year later I had a severe condition in my feet, making it difficult for me to move around. I am sorry to confess that I wanted to be relieved of this trouble in order to be able to enjoy Christmastime as usual with my drinking mates. No wonder that my efforts to find healing through prayer failed. In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 410): "The Science of mental practice is susceptible of no misuse. Selfishness does not appear in the practice of Truth or Christian Science. If mental practice is abused or is used in any way except to promote right thinking and doing, the power to heal mentally will diminish, until the practitioner's healing ability is wholly lost." In those days I was not aware of these words.
Finding no relief through my own treatment, I asked for help from a Christian Science practitioner. The situation with my feet grew worse. When I knew the practitioner was helping me through prayer, I abstained from alcohol temporarily. Recalling the wonderful healing of asthma the year before, I felt that I would surely be healthy by Christmas. When there was no sign of progress, I became afraid and realized the need to commit myself fully and unconditionally to the healing, to be free of self-seeking and unworthy motives. Then a full-scale struggle, which is best described by this Bible verse (Gal. 5:17), took place in my consciousness: "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."
