Last year, one of my knees would buckle and not work properly when I stood up. I felt this was much more serious than other aches and pains I’d had in the past, and it occurred to me that a lot of people my age seemed to be having knee operations. But this was quickly followed by the thought that I didn’t have to put up with this pain and discomfort, because according to the Bible, God gave man dominion “over every creeping thing” (Genesis 1:26–28). I interpreted “creeping thing” in this case to mean that I had dominion over every fear and world belief about aging and deterioration. 

After a few days of praying, though, I was getting discouraged, so I decided to put the problem aside and spend some time thanking God for His perfect creation and for His allness, goodness, omnipresence, and omnipotence. I rejoiced in His ever-present care for me and everyone as our loving Father-Mother God. I knew that God is Spirit, and that as His spiritual idea, I couldn’t be weighed down by a belief in matter, Spirit’s opposite, because matter can take no part in Spirit’s creation. I knew that I was one with God, as Christ Jesus taught. These words from Hymn 263 in the Christian Science Hymnal came to mind: “As the stars in order going, / All-harmonious, He doth move” (J. O. Wallin).

The next day I was still finding it difficult to lift myself from a seated position using both legs, so I just said to the pain and discomfort, “You are not going to take my joy away. I’m going to have a good day, regardless.” And with that, I went ahead with my usual chores.