After returning from a hiking trip in the High Sierra, I became extremely ill with symptoms of food poisoning. I recognized at once that this was a mistaken belief about my true identity, because actually God is the only creator and He causes only good.
The condition became worse, and I began battling a continuous flood of suggestions that tried to divert my thought from Truth: "What did I eat that caused this? Why not take this or that medical remedy?" I thought of treatments for such a condition that I might have used years before when I had not yet become a student of Christian Science and learned to rely on God as the only physician. But I was prompted then to put into practice this directive from Mrs. Eddy (Science and Health, p. 495): "When the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you, cling steadfastly to God and His idea. Allow nothing but His likeness to abide in your thought. Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious—as Life eternally is— can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not." I was obedient and turned to God wholeheartedly for healing as Mrs. Eddy tells us we should (ibid., p. 167): "Only through radical reliance on Truth can scientific healing power be realized." The Bible also affirms the healing benefits of relying on God (Ps. 37:5): "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." In addition to my own metaphysical treatment I called a Christian Science practitioner to help me through prayer.
I began to search my thought in order to cull out any suggestion contrary to God. I refused to accept into consciousness anything but good, and I constantly studied the Bible, and citations in Science and Health that refer to absolute dependence on God.
