About 12 years ago I began to have difficulty walking, sitting down, and standing. The physical challenge continued to worsen and spread, so that bending and moving my arms became limited, uncomfortable, and at times painful. I was unable to turn in bed at night without waking up, and noticed something was not right in my chest. There were occasions when I feared that whatever was developing would ultimately result in death.
I took ample time to pray and, periodically, had the loving help of a Christian Science practitioner, who provided spiritual treatment. Since I have relied on Christian Science all my adult life, I knew that healing through understanding prayer, as exemplified by Christ Jesus, was the only route I wanted to take. The thought that I should get a medical diagnosis for the condition, and give it a name, occurred to me on occasion, but I adamantly put these aggressive suggestions down, knowing a diagnosis would not be helpful in the healing work. Waking up to the reality of my present perfection as God’s idea was what I needed, not learning more about the dream of disease.
I listened to God, divine Mind, for what to pray about each day, and I read through the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy’s writings during this time. The topics I pursued in study were numerous and varied. I continually affirmed that there is no material cause, since God, good, is the only cause and I am the reflection of that one divine cause. I learned to become more vigilant in mentally defending myself when the aggressive suggestions of discouragement, fear, and pain presented themselves.
