Article October 31, 2005 Issue

WHEN HEALING CAME

By Katherine R. Fitzer

AFTER SPENDING YEARS DISTRACTED BY WONDERING WHAT A PHYSICAL ailment might be called—and if it was life-threatening—I finally discovered that the problem had nothing to do with my body. It was my thought that needed fixing. Then, the physical evidence of disease disappeared.

Throughout my life I've found that turning to prayer is an effective means of meeting my every need, including my healthcare needs. I suppose many of the things I've prayed about could have been taken care of medically. But, there are two things that I have loved about relying on prayer. One is that I never have to worry about the possible side-effects of medication or the dangers of surgery. The other is a benefit that is greater than just having my body work better: I gain a spiritual perspective through prayer, which frees me from the limitations inherently connected with mortality. Every time I face down a challenge through prayer, I'm that much closer to realizing my total freedom from disease. Many times we hear that a disease can be treated, but not completely cured. By regenerating thought, prayer cures completely, while leaving us free to live without fear.

There are times when it's tempting to think that it would be easier or quicker just to get the body fixed medically, while continuing to pray about spiritual things. But I've found that nothing forces me to grow spiritually more than striving to heal as Jesus taught us to do. And so I'm grateful when a physical difficulty pushes me to understand more about my relationship to God as His daughter—as His perfect image. Then the blessings go so much deeper.