Article November 3, 1986 Issue

Gratitude and healing

Did you ever think of gratitude as a healing power? And how about gratitude before the healing?

Julia Irene Fitzgerald

At a Wednesday evening testimony meeting in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, a student of Christian Science testified about being healed of a number of difficulties that had confronted her. "One problem right after another," she said. She didn't give in to discouragement, however. Even when the last problem presented itself, one that loomed larger than all the rest, she joyously thought to herself, "Just think what I'm going to get out of this!"

This was her way of giving thanks in advance for the lessons, spiritual growth, blessings, and healing that she knew would come from trusting herself again to God's loving care. And the joyous expression of gratitude that sprang from her lips attested to the beautiful healing that did indeed follow.

It was such gratitude that our beloved Master and Way-shower, Christ Jesus, expressed before raising Lazarus from the grave (see John 11: 1-45). The Bible narrative tells us: "Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." Then he called, "Lazarus, come forth," John 11:41–43. and he did immediately.

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