When we are first touched by Christian Science, healing often comes effortlessly. We are sometimes freed instantly from evil beliefs that would darken human consciousness. Later, though, we may find that we have to dig deeper into divine Truth to free ourselves of a particular trouble.
Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health: "Take divine Science. Read this book from beginning to end. Study it, ponder it. It will be indeed sweet at its first taste, when it heals you; but murmur not over Truth, if you find its digestion bitter. When you approach nearer and nearer to this divine Principle, when you eat the divine body of this Principle,—thus partaking of the nature, or primal elements, of Truth and Love,—do not be surprised nor discontented because you must share the hemlock cup and eat the bitter herbs; for the Israelites of old at the Paschal meal thus prefigured this perilous passage out of bondage into the El Dorado of faith and hope." Science and Health, p. 559;
Spiritual growth inevitably brings to the surface the errors that have seemed to be a fixed part of our nature—perhaps envy or sensuality or self-pity. We may not readily recognize the need to separate ourselves from these errors, and the result is often discord. Then one has work to do, and it's important to clearly understand the method of Christian Science so that healing isn't needlessly delayed.
