I have always depended on Christian Science. This testimony can't begin to define my gratitude for healings and protection over the years.

Early one winter I began to have trouble with an arm. A condition developed which grew so painful that I had trouble sleeping at night and could not use the arm at all. My husband, who is not a Christian Scientist, became very concerned. He felt the arm should be examined by a doctor to determine the nature of the difficulty. Since we had not been married long, he had not really witnessed anything he could recognize as a clear-cut physical healing through prayer. Finally I agreed to submit to an examination by an orthopedic surgeon, in order to allay my husband's fears.

Before we went for the appointment, I prayed, affirming my closeness to my Father-Mother God. I knew I was continuing to turn to divine Mind for help, not medicine. A statement from Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy helped me (p. 284): "The intercommunication is always from God to His idea, man." On the basis of that, I was certain that my prayerful expectation would be answered, that all I would hear from anybody would be helpful, because God was communicating to His idea, that I would be led to understanding and healing and my husband would be peaceful, too.

After studying X-rays of the arm, the surgeon identified the condition and went on to describe it as an inflammatory reaction to physical stress. He outlined possibilities for treatment: leave the arm alone and allow the inflammation to run its course, which would probably take about six months; have medical treatment, which would probably clear up the condition no later than two weeks.

Inflammatory reaction. I realized that I had developed a habit of reacting, that I flared up at criticism, that I resented injustice, and I was upset at the irritation and anger of other people even when it wasn't directed at me. Just as quickly I realized that neither the inflamed arm nor the distressed and reactive mental habits were part of my individuality, and I denied, on the spot, emphatically and silently, the whole construct: both a material body and a mentality that could experience stress and suffer from it.

That evening I spent several hours working with passages from the Bible and from the writings of Mrs. Eddy. By the time I went to bed, I knew without a shred of doubt what the standard of healing for me, as a Christian Scientist, was, and how adherence to that standard was a law of harmony. I could affirm that I was maintained in a steady consciousness of good by the powerful presence of God, that no suggestions of evil, whether they seemed to come from within or without, would disturb my poised assurance of a God-governed universe.

I slept through the night and awoke the next morning free of pain. There has been no recurrence of pain or disability in the arm, and I am increasingly composed and peaceful. In addition this healing was very convincing for my husband, who has since supported me in my reliance on Christian Science without argument.

I am very grateful for the ministrations of Christian Science and for the many ways in which these ministrations are brought to us—through the Bible Lesson in the Christian Science Quarterly, the Sunday School, Sunday services and Wednesday testimony meetings, Reading Rooms, lectures, class instruction, all the Christian Science periodicals including The Christian Science Monitor.

(Mrs.) Helen T. Riesenberg
St. Louis, Missouri