"The fever left her"
We read in the simple language of the Bible that when Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever they told Jesus about her. "And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them."
In the light of Christian Science many of the Bible stories become clearer to us. On page 586 of "Science andHealth with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy defines "fear" as "heat; inflammation; anxiety; ignorance; error; desire; caution." We can readily see then how the fevered or anxious thought of one suffering from disease was calmed and quieted by Christ Jesus, and instantly healed.
A Christian Scientist understands that when the false mental condition is healed by spiritual means, the physical symptoms disappear. On pages 476 and 477 of the textbook we read: "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick."
World happenings, as recorded in the daily newspapers, lead one to believe that the world today is like one "sick of a fever." Everywhere it seems there are heated arguments, misunderstandings, and suspicions. But when the Christ is allowed to enter the consciousness of human beings, then comes the quieting of human passions—the healing of the fever. This is the mission of Christian Science: to bring to humanity the consciousness of the spiritual peace and power of that divine presence which we name the Christ.
The realization of the spiritual perfection of man as created by God, is the goal which students of Christian Science are striving to attain in all their work. As this perfect realization is established in their thought, harmony always results. The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science shows in her system of healing the way this realization may be attained. When through divine inspiration the perfection of God's idea is recognized, then the result is an instantaneous healing, an immediate manifestation of good.
The human consciousness, however, is not always prepared to receive at once this divine inspiration. Sometimes it clings tenaciously to its established belief in evil, or illness. In such cases, however, we need not be without hope. We can, by studying the textbook and Mrs. Eddy's other writings, follow a line of argument by which we destroy the arguments of evil in our thought, and establish as supreme the facts of good, the reality of being. When this has been correctly and faithfully done, the healing follows. Thus a man is not left without hope of healing. If we cultivate a spiritual attitude, and consecrate ourselves to the mission of Christian Science—universal salvation—we shall experience more and more instantaneous healings, for the mental soil will be prepared for the seeds of heavenly inspiration, which will spring forth into being and bear fruit.
There are times when we seem to have to wrestle with our thoughts "until the breaking of the day" as Jacob wrestled with the angel. When we see the dawn appearing, we should not let go of the inspiration we have gained through this struggle, and return once more to a weak sense of fear. We must hold fast to the truth, until the assurance of Truth possesses us to the exclusion of all fear and discord. When we have done this, then there will come into our hearts that sweet peace, that rest of Soul, which is the proof that Christ reigns within us. When good is seen as the reality, and evil as unreal, then we may know that we are glimpsing Truth.
There are opportunities provided whereby we may increase our understanding of Truth's availability. We may attend Wednesday evening meetings in the Christian Science church, and in listening to the testimonies learn to accept the idea that instantaneous healing is at hand, and that all healing is a cause for gratitude. We may turn to the chapter in our textbook entitled "Fruitage," and learn of many cases of healing which have resulted solely from studying this book. We may read the many authentic cases of the healing of sin and disease recorded in our periodicals, the Journal, Sentinel, and Herald. We realize that the healing which those who have testified have experienced can occur in our own experience as well, if we are faithful in our study of Truth and in its application to our problems.
We never need fear that any symptoms of disease can cling to us when the realization of perfect harmony is established in our thought. We must give to symptoms less and less importance, until they are utterly blotted out by the understanding of Truth's reality. We do not do anything to matter or symptoms in our work as Christian Scientists, but through transformation of thought we rise above the falsity which seemed to make the dream symptoms real.
Many times when the "fever" does not seem to be met immediately, we may find much to be grateful for as a result of our continued efforts and study. We may find to our joy that we have been healed of many other false beliefs during one of these delayed healings. But it is helpful to bear in mind that instantaneous healing, such as was demonstrated in the case of Simon's wife's mother, is what we are aiming at and that such healing is possible today and is, in fact, taking place constantly.
We also learn that when this woman was healed of the fever, she arose and ministered to the followers of Jesus. It should be an incentive to us in our own healing work to know that when we are healed we shall be more useful, more able to help others, and so progress in the Christ-way.
