Testimony of Healing August 13, 2018 Issue

Abdominal pain gone

William Dale

Several years ago I faced recurring bouts of abdominal pain over a period of about nine months. They seemed to come out of nowhere, often waking me out of a deep sleep. Many times I called a friend who was a Christian Science practitioner, and with her helpful words of encouragement and spiritual truth, the pain would leave. But permanent healing eluded me, and the episodes became more frequent. I grew concerned that there might be some physical condition that required more understanding of Christian Science than I was able to demonstrate.

As a lifelong student of this Science, I was very familiar with the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, especially Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. At the time of this challenge I was First Reader of my branch church. I often pondered one of my favorite passages from Science and Health: “When the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you, cling steadfastly to God and His idea. Allow nothing but His likeness to abide in your thought. Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious—as Life eternally is—can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not” (p. 495).

Sickness is certainly not part of Life—another name for God, who is All-in-all and wholly good. I could see that since God is my creator, I could express only Him and His qualities. To “cling” is to hold onto something very tightly or keep it close, unwilling to let go. Mentally, even through waves of pain, I was clinging to the truth that I am God’s perfect idea, and there was no way I was going to let go.

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