A grateful, fulfilled life

For over 50 years I’ve been studying Christian Science, leaning on what I’ve learned from reading Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy along with the Luther Bible in order to experience quick healings of problems such as disease, pain, weariness, and stress. Often I have had to struggle for spiritual understanding, but I’ve found that all my efforts to study the Bible and Christian Science literature have been rewarding and have moved me forward spiritually.

Christian Science teaches that “Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal” (Science and Health, p. 468 ). Once I began to understand this fact, it was not difficult for me to accept this purely spiritual method of healing and to apply it successfully. I recognized that whenever we put our faith in Spirit, God, instead of in matter, we begin to realize that God provides what is needed in any situation. I learned to free myself from faith in matter. One instantaneous healing, in particular, completely convinced me that divine Spirit really is all and that I am spiritual.

One day a few years ago, I stood next to my kitchen stove, turned on the gas, and when I lit the flame, a small explosion occurred. The strong air pressure from the explosion caused a heavy glass lid to fly off the stove and hit me in the forehead with its sharp metal edge.

I immediately thought of what I had read and understood from that week’s Bible Lesson in the Christian Science Quarterly: “Matter has no life, hence it has no real existence” (Science and Health, p. 584 ). I experienced no fear, fainting, wound, or swelling. All I could do was thank God, not only because I had no injury or ill effect from this incident, but also because I had understood this great spiritual teaching—that life is spiritual, not material.

My love and gratitude for God’s Word, which is able to heal instantly, is immeasurable. Over the years, I’ve found that the truth I’ve learned in Christian Science has revealed God’s protection and care for me, and has truly caused me to be happy and move confidently forward in any situation.

A few months after this incident, I woke up one night with very strong heart palpitations and difficulty breathing. I was by myself, and no person was nearby to help me. My thought immediately turned to divine Love, God, and I heard these words, “Don’t be afraid, little heart, because you’ve always been faithful, and ‘the great heart of Love’ (see Science and Health, p. 448 ) is with you.”

I felt God’s love within me, and right away, I calmed down. My heart started beating normally. The breathing difficulty also subsided immediately when I felt the presence of divine Love, which removed all my fear. As it says in the Bible, “Perfect love casteth out fear” (I John 4:18 ). Then I sang a hymn from the Christian Science Hymnal that starts with “Quiet, Lord, my froward heart” (John Newton, No. 291 ). The words of this hymn further strengthened my trust in God. After that I fell asleep, and woke up in the morning feeling happy and grateful. The heart condition has not returned.

For everything in my life, I rely on my understanding of God and my faith in His absolute truth and love, which I have found through my study of the Bible and Science and Health.

Hannelore F. Fuchs
Concepción, Chile