Article July 17, 1989 Issue

Patience, fidelity, and the promise of healing

What can we do when time seems to have come between us and healing?

Elaine Natale

Some years ago I faced a challenging physical problem and called a Christian Science practitioner for help through prayer. We worked together for quite a while. During frequent conversations I often impatiently asked when the healing would be complete, so I might get back to "life as usual." One day while visiting the practitioner and barely masking my exasperation, I blurted, "I wouldn't mind being patient if I just knew how long I have to be patient!" His kind response made me realize at once how ludicrous this was—impatient willingness to be patient!

Nevertheless, there was improvement and, eventually, a complete and permanent healing. Through this experience and other subsequent experiences, I've learned that when I'm praying faithfully, acknowledging and trusting God's complete control, I can trust that progress is always going on. Much more is always happening than outward appearances can ever indicate.

From the perspective I have now, I can see that while the healing was being worked out (throughout that "long haul") I was experiencing a spiritual deepening, a development of my understanding of and trust in God's unchangeable goodness. And I can tell you that it was well worth the spiritual effort and patience required.

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