I would like to express gratitude for my yearly Christian Science Students Association meeting. Assignments my association sends out for study some months before the meeting are always inspiring. Recently we were asked to review St. Paul's life and works, beginning with the book of Acts. We were also asked to study the chapter titled "Christian Science Practice" from Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, and Mrs. Eddy's book Retrospection and Introspection. In addition, we were encouraged to submit testimonies sharing healings that had come through our own prayer. I was eager to do this assignment, but I realized I could not write about a healing that had come through my own work, since I had always had the help of a Christian Science practitioner.
The summer after I received the assignment, I experienced disturbing symptoms in my left side that gave me much concern. There was discomfort in one leg and my chest as well. One morning as I was reading the association assignment, I realized the healing power behind my obedience in fulfilling my duty as a student. Everything I had read was applicable to my situation, and although I considered calling a Christian Science practitioner for help, the thought that I could and should work this out on my own persisted.
As I continued this study day after day, I gained many new insights. St. Paul's experience came alive for me. The chapter "Christian Science Practice" gave me the fundamental spiritual truths to rely on, and I felt a deeper appreciation for our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, after reading Retrospection and Introspection. These statements from Science and Health proved especially inspiring: "Fear, which is an element of all disease, must be cast out to readjust the balance for God. Casting out evil and fear enables truth to outweigh error. The only course is to take antagonistic grounds against all that is opposed to the health, holiness, and harmony of man, God's image" (p. 392). And from page 393: "Rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good. God has made man capable of this, and nothing can vitiate the ability and power divinely bestowed on man."
