As a soldier in the 86th division of the US Army during World War II, it wasn't unusual for me to walk from five to 25 miles a day with a rifle and full field pack. Normally this would have been rigorous, but not unmanageable. But the ball of my left foot had a tendency to go out of joint as we walked along, causing me constant pain. Even after I'd realigned the joint during our hourly ten-minute break, I'd still end up limping for most of each hour.
I was raised as a Christian Scientist, and had learned that I could turn to God in any difficulty. Through prayer I'd had many healings, so my first impulse was to pray in this situation, too. As I walked along, I would repeat "the scientific statement of being" in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (p. 468). This statement, which I had memorized as a child, explains the reality and allness of Spirit in contrast to the nothingness of matter. Using these ideas, I prayed to see myself as created by Spirit, as spiritual and unimpaired, instead of material and impaired.
I also thought a lot about a verse in Isaiah—though I got it a little wrong. What the verse actually promises is: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isa. 40:31). I'd remembered that last part as, "They shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not limp." Regardless, this passage was a constant assurance that God was supporting every step I took and that as I "waited" on God, as I kept understanding more about Him, I'd experience His support as renewed strength. As freedom.
