When I was very new in the study of Christian Science, I found myself troubled by a physical condition that greatly alarmed me because of pain and pressure in the heart area. I could not lie down but sat up in bed each night in great fear and discomfort. This went on for some weeks. I went to work every day, but when I came home I prayed and read Science and Health and Mrs. Eddy's other writings in the evening and for most of the night.

The suggestion to seek medical help was very aggressive. But I kept clinging to Mrs. Eddy's writings, even though at times it seemed that the words I was reading were just words instead of powerful declarations of spiritual truth.

At that time I still smoked. I had tried several times to stop and failed. One night as I struggled with fear and pain and tried to understand what I was reading, I suddenly looked at the cigarette in my hand. I put it down and thought, "Here I am trying with every fiber of my being to realize that God, Spirit, has all power, and therefore there is no power or reality in matter. And yet I'm giving this cigarette power to help me, govern me, affect me." From that moment on I never picked up a cigarette again, and what is more, I had no desire to smoke. I was totally free from the habit.

Although the physical condition was not healed until some time later, the finality and instantaneousness of this liberation from the smoking habit was a source of enormous value to me. I realized that the second I had wholeheartedly accepted the truth, without an argument or struggle, the smoking habit had utterly dissipated. This convinced me that healing is inevitable and complete once the erroneous thought or belief behind the difficulty has been recognized, reversed by the truth of being, and replaced with right thinking and action.

There is an interesting side note to my healing of smoking. A friend who shared my apartment, and through whom I had become interested in Science, also smoked. Out of consideration for me she began smoking less, and shortly she gave up smoking completely with no difficulty. These healings of smoking opened the way for both of us to join a branch church and The Mother Church, and the blessings of membership are still pouring into our lives.

My freedom from the physical difficulty, which took place some time later, has been permanent.

Many times during the years I have thought of the simplicity of these early healings. They have encouraged me to stand in the truth of being, even when illness or inharmony seems unyielding, for I realize that the healing must and will come and that the lie which seems so true will be wholly obliterated—seen in its true light as powerless and unreal. I am deeply grateful for a growing understanding of the allness of God, good.

Beverly Roberts
Laguna Niguel, California

I am the friend referred to in the above testimony, and I can testify to the validity and accuracy of the account. The healings occurred just as described, including my release from the smoking habit. I rejoice in the great opportunities for spiritual growth that this healing brought me.

Wynne Gibson