“Every mortal at some period, here or hereafter, must grapple with and overcome the mortal belief in a power opposed to God,” says Mary Baker Eddy in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (p. 569). All of us have to realize our being is not material but spiritual, Godlike, the reflection of our Father-Mother Love, who is “altogether lovely.”
About a year ago, I had to grapple with this mortal belief in the wee hours of one morning due to Covid-19 symptoms. I knew that if I accepted this pandemic as so real and powerful—the world’s beliefs, spread through the news media—it would make me feel helpless. But I knew from my study of Christian Science that because God is my life and nothing can harm or invade the temple of God—God’s reflection, which I am—the illness was an error, a mesmeric dream from which I could awake.
Although in pain, I sat up in bed and lifted my thoughts to my oneness with God, which can never be annulled. I knew that God was enabling me to turn from a material, false sense of life to the true sense of life in Him—and to “stand porter at the door of thought” (Science and Health, p. 392). My prayer assured me I had the freedom to know what to let in—thoughts of love, peace, trust, faith—and what not to let in—fear, doubt, discouragement. I cast out the fear and firmly declared that I am complete, perfect, and whole, reflecting God’s image and likeness. I was reminded of Jesus’ words, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). This gave me confidence that there was a metaphysical antidote that would enable me to feel and experience the divine kingdom of peace, harmony, and joy.
