One day about a year and a half ago, I noticed a small growth on my forehead while blow-drying my hair. Immediately I became alarmed because it looked similar to a growth in the same place that had eventually proved fatal to a family member. In that moment, a lightning bolt of fear was saying that the result would be the same for me. I felt sure, however, that Christian Science could heal this condition, and that the best time to be rid of it was now, when it was first "knocking for admission" into my life.

During Christian Science class instruction, the teacher had emphasized the importance of daily giving Christian Science treatment, praying specifically for oneself and humanity. Now, I began to address in prayer the issues my situation presented—physical, mental, and emotional. I recognized that the condition arose from the belief that I was a material being, from the latent fear that it was now "my turn" to deal with something that "ran in the family," and from the false notion that God allows or even sends marring elements, from blemishes to cancers.

I asked, Does God govern creation? (In prayer, the question felt more direct and intimate: Do You govern Your creation?) The answer, of course, was yes—God knows, governs, and maintains all creation perfectly, and that creation is entirely spiritual. As I reasoned from this wonderful truth, it became clear to me that my spiritual identity was always intact and unblemished and that this was also true for every member of Love's universal family—then and always.

I continued to pray from this basis. The effects were gradual but apparent, seen particularly in the fact that my fear was receding. All this time, the growth was not evident to others, because it was covered by the hair that dropped over my forehead. I was grateful to be able to pray quietly for a complete healing without rousing concern among friends and family.

I began to notice, however, that it was as if my thoughts about myself now included the tag "with a growth on my forehead." Just as we are conscious of ourselves with a new haircut or a new outfit, this condition seemed to be part of me. This brought home to me in a very vivid way Mary Baker Eddy's essential insight that sickness and disease are actually mental, not physical.

So the focus of my prayers became the removal of the problem entirely from my consciousness. I began by asking the question "What is Mind?" And I answered, "Since God, Love, is the only Mind, and therefore my Mind, this Mind is the only influence and communicator to my thinking." I thoroughly rejected the belief that my identity was physical and psychological, with a family tragedy written upon it. I affirmed that Mind was the only source of my awareness of who I was. With the example of Jesus' disciples to back me up, part of my prayer went something like this: "In the name of Christ, Truth, I cast out this belief as unreal. It has no history, no root, no place. Love fills and governs my consciousness. I am the pure and holy expression of Mind, and this is true for everyone." The insight about how trouble can quickly claim to be part of our identity, enabled me to take a wonderful step forward in my thought, from an intellectual to a practical Christianity.

Finally, another suggestion cropped up, focusing on the fear that Christian Science might not heal this problem. After I firmly refuted this fear in prayer by declaring that God was the only power, I was no longer concerned about whether the growth was still apparent or not. I expected healing, and made a point of not looking at or checking my forehead, even when drying my hair.

One day a short time later, I inadvertently touched my forehead. And it was then I realized the growth was gone.

I am immensely grateful for Mrs. Eddy's untiring work in presenting to the world the very practical spiritual tool of Christian Science treatment through prayer, which anyone can use to find healing.

ELLEN AUSTIN
CORVALLIS, OREGON, US