One Sunday afternoon as I was playfully tossing my daughter into the air, I felt a ripping sensation in my shoulder. I thought nothing of it and continued to play with her. That evening, though, I had great difficulty doing simple tasks. Later I began to have difficulty doing my job, then difficulty opening doors, and then difficulty simply lifting my arm. As I found myself unable to move my arm without significant pain, I began to fear my shoulder was seriously injured. I let fear and frustration govern my thinking for quite some time.
My job requires me to have mobility, strength, and a full range of motion, and when it became apparent that I had limitations, I was required to seek medical attention. Upon medical review, the doctor informed me that there was a big problem. It would either get better or worse, but because of the complexity of the injury, he was not going to be able to do anything for me.
I am a very active person, and this problem was severely limiting to me. I felt frustrated because I wanted a solution. What I momentarily forgot is that I had one—the healing power of divine Truth and Love!
In Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mary Baker Eddy says of medical solutions: “Materia medica says, ‘I can do no more. I have done all that can be done. There is nothing to build upon. There is no longer any reason for hope.’ Then metaphysics comes in, armed with the power of Spirit, not matter, takes up the case hopefully and builds on the stone that the builders have rejected, and is successful” (p. 5).
I began to pray, though at first I was praying to fix an injured body part. When there was no progress, I realized my prayers needed to go deeper. In my study of Christian Science, I had learned that illness or disability of any sort is a lie about man—a false belief that man is material and subject to injury and disease. The truth is that man is an idea of God, as spiritual, whole, and unlimited as God is.
Acts 17:28 says, “In him we live, and move, and have our being.” I particularly enjoy this idea of movement. It is a perfect expression of spiritual identity and freedom of movement in God. As I continued praying, I thought about movement in connection with progress. Suddenly it occurred to me that my spiritual growth had become stagnant, and that lack of movement and spiritual progress was being expressed in physical limitation. I saw the need to get a clearer sense of my true spiritual identity and freedom.
Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, “Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action” (p. 454). I endeavored to go deeper in my understanding of divine Love as the supreme law in my life, and to let go of the fear that matter could limit my ability to express movement.
Science and Health also says: “Mind produces all action. If the action proceeds from Truth, from immortal Mind, there is harmony; …” (p. 419). I reasoned that since God, divine Mind, is infinite, His control of action and movement never ceases, nor can it ever be limited. Therefore, it is my right and purpose as His idea to express harmony and unrestricted action. Upon realizing this, I was instantly healed. I am grateful to say there has been no further problem with the shoulder in the year since this healing.
Nicolas De Wulf
Misawa, Japan
