Mortal mind—the counterfeit of God, the only Soul or Mind—claims to reverse the infinite law of good and so instigate disharmony. Allergies are one result of such supposed reversal. An allergy is a mistaken sense of relationship—the false suggestion that one idea of God can react with another.

In their real identity, flowers and animals are Soul's expression. Lovely blossoms radiate beauty, symmetry, fragrance, and color. Our pets express devotion, trust, affection. How could harm proceed from characteristics such as beauty and intelligent trust? Mrs. Eddy says, "What an abuse of natural beauty to say that a rose, the smile of God, can produce suffering!" ^{Science and Health, p. 175.}

We can see ourselves as pure, perfect ideas originating in the one all-good source, Soul; then we begin to recognize that our true substance is wholly spiritual. Serenity, joy, activity, strength, are among God's qualities, expressed in all individual being. Self-existent Soul contains no element of irritation or inharmony.

Physical inharmony springs from the belief that matter is truly substantial. But man, beast, or flower—as idea—is totally spiritual. If real substance is in God, where all is harmonious action and joy, there is no place for irritation to dwell, since matter is not our substance. Mrs. Eddy puts it this way: "The physical senses (matter really having no sense) give the only pretended testimony there can be as to the existence of a substance called matter." ^{Unity of Good, p. 33.}

One suggestion that attaches itself to allergic beliefs is that of incurability. The medical field offers pills or special shots to alleviate suffering but assumes that some who suffer from allergies may never be truly free. What a disheartening view! Christian Science, however, assures us of permanent healing when we submit ourselves to God, expecting good.

Christ Jesus "called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases." ^{Luke 9:1.} All devils, or errors. When the disciples failed to heal the epileptic, Jesus healed him, indicating that their faith needed strengthening. ^{See Matt. 17:14–21 .} "Incurability" was not accepted by Jesus, and it shouldn't be by his followers.

Some time ago a beautiful Abyssinian (mostly) cat was brought into my home by a roommate. Within a day or two I was suffering severely from symptoms of an allergic reaction. After endeavoring prayerfully for several days to see that one spiritual idea of God cannot possibly harm another, without much relief, I called a Christian Science practitioner for help. She instantly stated, "Cat is not cause!" Affirming that God alone is cause and therefore nothing can produce pain or suffering in His kingdom of good, she helped me reject mortal mind's false law of incurability.

During the following month I noticed that sometimes the irritation was worse when I was nowhere near home (and the cat), while at other times, at home, the suffering seemed less severe. This illustrated an important point—that mortal mind was showing its lack of consistency. If being near a cat was supposed to cause the symptoms, then these symptoms should be alleviated when I wasn't near the cat. Yet this wasn't always the case. This inconsistency helped me see the illusory nature of the error.

One morning I prayed vigorously for God to uncover in my thought whatever might be delaying healing. I suddenly realized that I had been holding an "out"—that is, I had the thought that if I was not soon healed perhaps the most reasonable solution would be to find another home for the cat. Although this might be wise in some cases, I knew my answer was different. Immediately, I affirmed fearlessly that I was willing to continue prayer, no matter how long the healing took. I reaffirmed my stand that the power of God through Christian Science treatment is irrefutable, stronger than any belief in allergy.

The mesmerism was broken. That same evening I knew the healing had taken place, and the symptoms receded quickly, having no further hold in my consciousness. In fact, some months later I obtained a kitten as companion for the "mostly Abyssinian"—bringing new lessons in love and sharing for all.

This was an inspiring proof that God, the only cause, establishes man's substance and that therefore "cat is not cause." Everyone can be free from allergies. Any idea—whether it appears to be present in our lives as a pet, a rose, or whatever else—hints at Love's provision of loveliness, warmth, gentleness. These ideas help point us to the one, spiritual source of all being, God. There is no allergy to distract us from proving Love's allness.