SEVERAL YEARS AGO, my left foot developed a severe case of athlete's foot. Though annoying and uncomfortable, I thought it would simply clear up on its own.
Around the same time, a sizable and painful growth developed on my right foot, making it difficult to walk. I became increasingly fearful that this was a serious condition, and decided it was time to pray—to see this situation from a spiritual, not a fearful or material, perspective. I prayed with Mary Baker Eddy's explanation of the angel in Revelation whose "... 'right foot' or dominant power of which was upon the sea,—upon elementary, latent error, the source of all error's visible forms[.] The angel's left foot was upon the earth; that is, a secondary power was exercised upon visible error and audible sin" (Science and Health, p. 559).
I could relate to this, as the more serious problem was in my right foot. But what's more, I felt strengthened that through Christian Science, I could have total dominion over both these problems. Reading on, I also found Mrs. Eddy's explanation of the 12th chapter of Revelation helpful, where she states, "The woman in the Apocalypse symbolizes generic man, the spiritual idea of God; she illustrates the coincidence of God and man as the divine Principle and divine idea" (Science and Health, p. 561). To me this meant that I, too, was God's idea, totally spiritual, without any pain or deformation because I reflect only God's harmonious being.
