Article September 24, 2012 Issue

The deep lesson of Christian Science treatment

Curt Wahlberg

A couple of years ago, after moving a heavy object across our garage, I found myself in terrible pain. I called a Christian Science practitioner for prayerful treatment. We talked a little—about my physical condition, about some other things bothering me, and particularly about Love, the infinite, divine presence we call God. We each prayed. We talked a few more times over the next several days. But the pain did not lessen, until something happened in the middle of perhaps the fourth night.

Since I was too uncomfortable to sleep much, I had plenty of time to think about things. At one point, I recalled a few incidents in high school, incidents in which I now wish I could have been a better, more loving person. Suddenly, a flood of compassion began to well up in me. I longed for more good for everyone. Oh, how I wished that everyone who had been involved in those incidents could feel more of God’s infinite love!

The next thing I remember is that it was morning. And the moment I awoke, I knew I was fine—in fact, I practically popped out of bed. That was the end of the pain and of the condition.