In 2014, I began serving as a Reader at my branch Church of Christ, Scientist. At about the same time, I was also elected to the Executive Committee of my Christian Science students’ association. Several months later, as if to mock my new commitment to spiritual growth, a physical growth appeared on my shoulder. I expected it to be healed through my deepened study of the weekly Bible Lesson from the Christian Science Quarterly and daily prayer, which I’ve often found bring about healing. Obviously, more was required, for when I looked at it a few months later, the growth was much enlarged, and its appearance was frightening.
I called a Christian Science practitioner for treatment. She was most supportive. When other symptoms appeared and the physical picture worsened, I confided to her all my worries, doubts, and fears. In particular was my detailed knowledge of someone who’d had a similar condition that ultimately proved fatal. I’ve been a student of Christian Science all my life and have seen many wonderful healings. Still, the not-so-subtle suggestions came to me that I didn’t have enough conviction, that the problem was too big, and that maybe a medical approach would be more practical.
I knew a wavering faith or dualistic approach was not conducive to healing, and I spoke to the practitioner about this. Of course, it was entirely my decision, but I wanted to be absolutely clear in my own mind just why I chose to rely on Christian Science. Mainly I wanted to go forward in my spiritual progress, to enlarge my faith in and understanding of our all-loving, omnipotent God, Truth, who heals. I then vowed to be focused, consistent, and disciplined in my study and prayer, and I continued working with the practitioner.
