Article October 1, 2018 Issue

Healthy in all seasons

Sharon Slaton Howell

Living in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains, in the “valley” as it is referred to, I’ve noticed how many people believe that allergies are particularly common in this part of the United States and accept that they must suffer from them. The fear of the onset of these uncomfortable symptoms at certain times of the year—spring and fall primarily—seems prevalent. Weather reports advise residents to limit their outdoor activities.

Yet there is a way to not only eliminate fear of these maladies, but also prevent them from occurring. We don’t have to limit our activities based on the season. Truly, no one has to live with the tormenting worry, “Will I be the next to get sick?”

Christ Jesus admonished his disciples, “What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch” (Mark 13:37). Through the study and application of Christian Science, one may learn what it means to “watch”: to watch one’s thinking, which includes not accepting into thought the belief that sickness and suffering are inevitable and must be endured. The Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, explains: “Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously. When the condition is present which you say induces disease, whether it be air, exercise, heredity, contagion, or accident, then perform your office as porter and shut out these unhealthy thoughts and fears. Exclude from mortal mind the offending errors; then the body cannot suffer from them” (p. 392).

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Healthy in all seasons

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access