The thought that we are burdened by, or “chained” to, some circumstance—that something is keeping us from moving forward and making progress—is a popular notion. But Christian Science has taught me to recognize that God, good, is the only power and that I don’t need to be intimidated by suggestions that something can hold me back.

Christian Science helps us learn how to use spiritual discernment to see and experience our innate, God-given freedom. With this discernment we can clearly and freely choose which thoughts to entertain. Recognizing if thoughts are from God, divine Love, or from mortal sense, is essential. Thoughts from God speak of our spiritual ability to think and act in a good and productive way without restriction. 

Choosing the good and right thoughts, the thoughts from God, breaks the false chains that would bind us. We can claim our spiritual selfhood, our true identity as God’s perfect, beloved child, and go forward freely. 

Many years ago, I was praying about a difficult situation with my ankle. I must admit there were times when I felt awfully burdened. I really needed to take a stand to see that there was nothing that could possibly impede my freedom, my progress, my growth in Christian Science, and my desire to better understand my relation to God. 

There was an unnatural mark on my ankle, which had been there for some time. I had prayed about it. And every now and then it would hurt, a tiny bit, but it didn’t seem as if it needed “major” specific prayer. My prayer was more of a general thought of “this is no part of me,” and then I would move on. Then I realized that this mark was very swollen, and a few days later it became even uglier.

I was praying to know that God was All—all action, activity, and law. I knew to look away from matter into Spirit, and I was understanding my divine right to see things clearly and to understand that the belief that I could be separated from God, good, was a lie about me. I acknowledged that I was God’s indestructible, perfect idea, and that this false material picture was not a reality. So, I did not need to be impressed by it. And yet, there was more humble listening to be done.

So I began praying with the simple thought of “there is no spot where God is not.” This was a dear lesson that I learned as a child in the Christian Science Sunday School. Yes, it was a simple thought, but there was much behind it that I found extremely profound, sincere, and calming.

As I prayed over the next few days, the place on my ankle cleared up, but a large scar remained. When I noticed the scar, I thought, “Well, that isn’t right,” but then I let it go and didn’t continue my prayerful work. 

A few months later my ankle started to bother me, and I was finding it difficult to walk. I now took up the prayerful work wholeheartedly, grateful for the months I’d had with complete freedom. 

Recognizing if thoughts are from divine Love is essential.

Although I’d prayed before, I saw the need to be more specific in my prayerful treatment. Knowing that this could and would be healed through prayer, I continued with my spiritual study. 

Through understanding my oneness with God I was led to the thought that became the basis for this article: I could not be held back by any false “chains,” false claims, or suggestions from mortal mind. I knew that God made me in His image and likeness. It was time for me to affirm my complete freedom, right then. As Paul said, “I was free born” (Acts 22:28).

I continued praying about my divine heritage and complete freedom as God’s child. I love this statement from Mary Baker Eddy’s Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896: “The scientific sense of being which establishes harmony, enters into no compromise with finiteness and feebleness. It undermines the foundations of mortality, of physical law, breaks their chains, and sets the captive free, opening the doors for them that are bound” (p. 101).

The healing progressed quickly, and I was up and walking normally again. A few days later, the swelling went down and the scar went away. I was completely healed. I am a little embarrassed to say this, but I was amazed! Yes, it was natural and normal to pray and have the healing, but it was so lovely to see something completely dissolve into its native nothingness.

As I daily acknowledge and see healing in modest and larger ways, I sometimes think it’s a bit like seeing a beautiful sunrise or sunset. You see the sun rise and set almost every day, but some days you are just so aware of it and are in complete awe of the beauty. That’s how I felt. Seeing and feeling the natural beauty of the Christ-activity being expressed in my life, I knew that I was free, spiritual, and wonderfully and marvelously made by God. 

And I must add that this was much more than just the healing of an ankle, because I found more freedom in my life in general. Joy returned, which had been lost. I was able to return to activities that I had briefly put to the side. 

I understood that I could not be held back. And a new, happier spring in my step was a welcome bonus.

Christian Science teaches us how to recognize and remove any imaginary chains, fetters, or thoughts that would hinder our progress. Christian Science gives us the keys that unlock the treasures of Truth, where we find our freedom, a freedom that is always here for us, and has never been anything but harmonious, productive, and glorious. Christian Science teaches us that in God there is freedom, health, happiness, and joy for all mankind to accept and enjoy.