One morning last year during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was standing in my kitchen happily washing dishes when I was suddenly hit by a wave of dizziness and nausea. I grabbed the counter so I wouldn’t fall over, then ran to the bathroom and fell to the floor. 

As I lay there wondering what was causing this illness, a thought came to me clearly: “That’s not you! Get up! God gave you dominion.” I started to get up, affirming out loud: “This is not me. I’m the child of the Most High, God, who alone governs me, in perfect health and harmony. Nothing can invade God’s space, for He is everywhere, and His goodness is all-powerful.” I knew these were more than just positive words, because they included a spiritual conviction that assured me that God was right there with me, supporting and strengthening me.

I resolved not to break the First Commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3), by fearing or believing in another power that could make me sick. In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy writes, “Omnipotence has all-power, and to acknowledge any other power is to dishonor God” (p. 228).