Christian Science has taught me to remember the truth that God is good—only good. This teaching has really helped me to solve multiple problems in many situations. 

When I moved from India to the United States, I knew nothing of Christian Science, but my family lived across the street from a branch Church of Christ, Scientist. I wanted to enroll my daughter in a Sunday School, so we chose this church after I met with a few nice people who attended. At that time, I began studying with some of the church members the weekly Bible Lesson from the Christian Science Quarterly. Not long after this, I joined the church and started testing what I was learning from the Bible Lessons. The following is one of the demonstrations of God’s goodness in my life.

One day after work, I found that my work permit card had expired. A new card should have been sent, so I went to the Post Office to see why I had not yet received it; they had no knowledge of my new card. While checking its status online, I was shocked to learn that if I did not receive this card in the next eight months, the processing of my permanent work authorization would be stopped. Because we had moved to a different apartment around the time the new card should have come, I updated our address with the immigration service. I also checked some blogs and found that other people had never received a new card and they could not find help either. During this time, I felt totally hopeless, with a great fear about my uncertain future.

After two weeks of searching for my card, I felt frustrated, but then I remembered the Bible verse that says, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8, New International Version). I began to trust God for help—God, who is an ever-present help in trouble. I began to recognize that God, the divine Mind, knows all about my needs and cares about my well-being as His beloved child. It was God who provided the avenues for me to express His goodness, and I was confident that He would continue to provide the purpose and place for me to work, which would naturally include my ability to comply with the laws of the land and have all necessary documentation.

While holding to this thought of good’s permanence, I took some more practical steps, such as calling the immigration service’s customer care department. But I was asked to just wait. Because I had to wait in uncertainty without doing anything humanly about the lost card, I again began to have fear in my heart. I began to ask myself, “Will I ever receive my card? Even if I receive the card, will I be able to continue in a job if the government keeps changing the visa procedures?” These thoughts began to confuse me and caused me to again feel anxious about my future. “But there is something I can learn from this situation,” I thought.

Whenever I felt distressed during this time, I was reassured by attending Wednesday evening testimony meetings at church. I also felt comforted by these words from the Bible: “All things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28). There was also this idea in Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896 by Mary Baker Eddy: “Always bear in mind that His presence, power, and peace meet all human needs and reflect all bliss” (p. 263). I began to ponder these ideas and reflect on them.

My confidence was rooted in the fact that the all-knowing Mind takes care of everything, caring for me and all. God knows and sees all, and the spiritual power of God’s love is greater than any problem. I started to acknowledge that only harmony exists, only good exists, everything fits in its place, and, as a result, I would surely receive what I needed.

Then I began to look back at my life, remembering how God had already helped me in difficult times. When I first came to the US, I did not have money and was living a very insecure and fearful life. I had prayed to God to help me come out of my fears. I also began to remember all my current blessings—including my visa, which gave me the opportunity to work. God had been good to me in opening a door for me. As my job had been an answer to prayer, the thought came to me: “Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it” (Revelation 3:8). Knowing that God had already given me this blessing, I began to feel more secure, and my fears started to melt away.

The following month I had a breakthrough. In the Christian Science Reading Room, some other members of my church and I were studying the Christian Science Bible Lesson titled “Probation After Death.” This study unfolded to me that my pathway to the fullness of life was not hindered by a belief of obstruction. So I thought: Though my work permit is essential in human terms to meet my needs, I can rely on God’s goodness, which has already provided me with the most essential needs. As God’s image and likeness, I already have with me Life, Truth, and Love. I am never separated from God, and there is no obstruction to receiving any good. His presence can always reach me wherever I am. Being a child of God and knowing that I am greatly loved and encircled in His loving arms, I can rely on God’s care and His goodness to take care of all my human needs, too.

I spent the rest of that day in the Reading Room with my church family. I felt a strong presence of goodness in my life. This reassured me that I could listen for God’s guidance. I was peaceful, quiet, and very happy. I was ready to hear what God had to tell me! When I went home, an inner voice told me, “Go open the mailbox, and your card will be right there!” I opened my mailbox. Hurray! My card was right there! As grateful as I was for having this human need met, I was more profoundly grateful for what I had learned about the practicality of God’s goodness.

I am very grateful to share my testimony from this valuable experience that God’s care, love, and goodness are always there for everyone at all times. There is no obstruction that can prevent good from reaching us. I know now that everything is being taken care of, and the throne is always God’s. We must remember that we are greatly valued in God’s eyes and extremely loved by our Father-Mother God.

This experience helped me to gain more strength to discard fears that I had previously felt. Love not only broke my fears, but greatly comforted me in peace and happiness through my study of Christian Science and understanding of God as my Father-Mother. This experience also helped me to take the study of Christian Science more seriously and to apply its truths in my daily life.