About a year ago, I was reaching to replace a weight on a weight rack on my back patio. Stretching farther than I was capable of reaching, I pulled a muscle. I felt pain in my side from my back through my chest, especially when I breathed deeply.

I called a Christian Science practitioner for metaphysical treatment through prayer and found enough relief to sleep peacefully. But upon awakening, I was still in great pain. The practitioner and I continued to pray for several days, and the pain diminished a little each day. I was still particularly uncomfortable, however, when I breathed, moved a certain way, coughed, or sneezed.

On the eighth day, I was talking on the phone with a friend who is also a Christian Scientist. In our conversation, my friend and I discussed the many thoughts associated with the pandemic, such as intemperance, hatred, irritation, and name-calling. She pointed out that these thoughts do not come from God, the one divine Mind, and do not exist in God’s kingdom. We needed to address the charged atmosphere with Christian Science, which teaches us to obey this commandment commended by Christ Jesus: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39).