There’s a saying that the devil’s favorite tool is discouragement. I learned the importance of resisting the temptation to become discouraged many years ago, when I was dealing with a skin disorder. I struggled with pain and itching on and off for a long time—and often, to my embarrassment, I needed to wear bandages. During a physical exam required for employment, the condition was diagnosed as eczema. The doctor who examined me said, “You will always have this problem.” 

I had been raised in Christian Science, and the members of our family had experienced many quick healings of illness through prayer; also, I had read testimonies in the Christian Science periodicals by others who had been healed of eczema. This gave me confidence that I could be healed, too. 

The Discoverer of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, writes on page 261 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, “Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts.” I believed that, but when the condition didn’t yield despite my diligent prayer, I grew discouraged and sad.