The Touch of Class September 17, 2012 Issue

In this series, individuals share how taking Christian Science Primary class instruction has strengthened their spiritual understanding, and brought increasing inspiration and healing to their lives.

Out of the prison of fear, and into class

Margaret Effner—Haddonfield, New Jersey

Jon Effner

From the time I was a teenager, I suffered from panic attacks, and in later life, severe anxiety whenever I left the house. Even at home I experienced multiple panic attacks every day. At one point I simply gave up and stayed locked in my house for over a year, until I realized what a terrible effect this was having on my family. 

One day my husband pointed out an article in the newspaper about a newly defined mental disorder—agoraphobia. It described my mental and physical condition but stated that there was no known cure except years of therapy. 

I had been through Christian Science Sunday School growing up, but had drifted away from church over the years. I knew that Christian Science would help me, as it had in the past, so I called a Christian Science practitioner to pray with me. I began the call by reciting my list of physical woes, which were many, and all caused by fear. Her response was, “Dear, you are not an organ recital!” 