We are used to dismissing as illusion certain things that our physical senses behold—a rainbow on the rug from sunshine striking a prism, tracks narrowing off in the distance, the distorted images of ourselves in a house of mirrors. We disbelieve what our eyes take in because we know what's really true. But seldom do we find people denying sickness, malformation, or even sinful behavior, on the basis that these are illusion. Why? Because the spiritual truth of God and man, which exposes their illusory nature, isn't generally known and understood.
This spiritual reality was what Mary Baker Eddy came to understand through her discovery of Christian Science, and this reality is clearly indicated in these words found in the first chapter of Genesis: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him." Gen. 1:27. This Bible statement is gospel—an absolute, unchanging truth that declares the perfection of man as the image of God, Spirit. Holding steadfastly, understandingly, to this truth when challenged by images of disease or suffering, we'll find healing. Why? Because we'll recognize the illusory nature of the discord—see through its pretense—just as we see through the illusion of those tracks converging in the distance.
The spiritual, perfect man of God's creating—the true being of each one of us—is not visible to the physical senses. Man must always be revealed to us through spiritual sense. We must be willing to turn away from the discordant material picture presenting itself to our thought, and turn to what God, pure Mind, is telling us about His perfect spiritual creation. This demonstrates that we do love God supremely and are willing to believe His Word over what the physical senses are telling us. This isn't ignoring discord but confronting it with a healing response.
