Shortly after I returned home from a family visit in another state, I began experiencing symptoms of what I thought might be a contagious illness.  

On the first day, I had no appetite for any food. I remained in bed and felt sleepy and oppressed, but I resolved not to go to sleep, since it was evident that I needed to stay awake and pray. As a lifelong student of Christian Science, I knew this condition certainly wasn’t from the loving God I had come to know and trust over many years. I trusted wholeheartedly that God would heal me and that the Science of the Christ, Truth, was more than up to the task. 

On page 93 of her Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mary Baker Eddy states, “Fear is a belief of sensation in matter: this belief is neither maintained by Science nor supported by facts, and exists only as fable,” and “… neither fear nor sin can bring on disease or bring back disease, since there is in reality no disease.” Encouraged by these two statements, I moved forward with my prayers without fear and with a commitment to listen only to God’s guidance.