"Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." This statement from Romans perfectly summarizes what Christian Science means to me, and I would love to share a healing that took place through Science.
One day I became aware of a small growth under one arm. As it grew to be large and painful, I felt impelled to call a Christian Science practitioner for help through scientific prayer.
Through prayerful treatment my fear subsided almost immediately, and I felt renewed trust and hope. But as the physical condition became more painful and alarming, relatives made the offer to provide a place for rest and study in their home, and I accepted it gratefully.
This time of study and prayer and peace aided me a lot in learning about God and was my way of dealing with this situation, because I had learned in Science that sickness is not a material but a mental condition. For example, hidden fear had to be uncovered, and it became evident that I had not been appreciating my true spiritual individuality as God's perfect child.
One false assumption that was uncovered was the thought that through sickness I would get to know God better. I learned that the need is for spiritual understanding, not for a difficult condition, even though often this kind of condition forces one to awake to Truth. The following question and its answer from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy were important to me in understanding this issue better: "Is materiality the concomitant of spirituality, and is material sense a necessary preliminary to the understanding and expression of Spirit?" One part of Mrs. Eddy's answer is this: "Not death, but the understanding of Life, makes man immortal." I reasoned that, likewise, not sickness, but the understanding of Truth, must make man healthy.
The important, glorious fact to learn was that health is a quality of God, not of matter. I learned slowly but steadily that error isn't part of man's true identity and that it is right for us, as God's children, to be His reflection, to be upright, happy, and free. I was very grateful for the peace and happiness that filled me and replaced the former fears.
Additionally, the loving support of my husband, who dressed me daily and supported me patiently, as well as of my family and of the spiritually-minded practitioner, was evidence of divine Love's constant care. Being supported by Christian Scientists who were neither afraid nor pitying was extremely helpful.
One particular evening I felt I was healed, although there was not yet complete physical evidence of this, and I returned happily home. The next day I was for a moment overwhelmed with the physical evidence, but as I reached out to God, comfort was at hand, in the form of one beatitude from Matthew that really applied to my situation: "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" and a statement from Science and Health regarding an understanding of the one Mind: "This understanding makes the body harmonious; it makes the nerves, bones, brain, etc., servants, instead of masters." Through the transforming and renewing power of prayer, the Christ had already become so near to my heart that I was able to give error no place either in my thinking or in my life, and to do faithfully everything I needed to do.
This had an immediate physical effect; the growth started to drain and to become smaller and smaller until it disappeared and I could stand normally and upright. Gratitude for this mental and physical freedom flooded my thought, and I was in awe of the healing law of Truth.
At first the skin under my arm looked and felt strange, and I was tempted to accept just the first great relief and "live with the handicap" of slightly restricted movement with that arm. But the practitioner patiently advised me to be very busy with gratitude and assured me that Love leads us all the way. I could expect a complete healing. The next morning I saw that the color of the skin had changed and that new skin was growing. At this time not even a scar is left.
I am deeply grateful for God's great love, which is more wonderful than words can tell. In regard especially to this healing I think of a Bible passage in Titus: "We ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient . . . . But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour."
Hamburg, Federal Republic
of Germany
