Comfort From The Psalms September 14, 2015 Issue

I was wholly free

Marie Jureit-Beamish

It was a sunny and warm day in the Berkshire Mountains many summers ago—the perfect conditions for hiking a mountain that afternoon. My friend and I timed our walk so that we could make it up and back before sundown. However, partway up the path, I was overcome with severe menstrual cramps—a challenge that had plagued me for many years. Because of the pain, I was unable to continue, and I suggested to my friend, who was not a Christian Scientist, that she go on ahead to reach the summit. I assured her that I would be fine and that she would find me there on her way back.

I lay down by the side of the path and asked God to help me. Normally when I was confronted with this particular challenge, it would take many hours to become free from the incapacitating pain. I was especially concerned now, because I was also keenly aware of the timing we’d need to follow to get down the mountain before dark.

I clung to this passage from Psalm 46: “Be still, and know that I am God” (verse 10). I decided to pray every word. Here’s some of the inspiration that came to me:

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