Last summer, I stepped off a brick tier outdoors and twisted my ankle hard, causing me to fall. I wondered if I would be able to get back up and if it would even be wise to try. I decided I had a choice to make and did so right then and there: I chose to accept the spiritual fact that I am God’s spiritual idea and to reject what the physical senses might tell me if I tried to stand up. Declaring that I was not hurt, that I was God’s child, and that all was well, I did stand up. Knowing that Love, God, was supporting my every step, I experienced no pain and proceeded to enjoy the sunny day.

Later, however, when I joined my brother and his wife for an evening cookout, I started to feel some discomfort. I tried a few mental rebuttals, but after making numerous trips between the backyard and kitchen, I found my ankle becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

As I was leaving, my sister-in-law advised, “Ice and elevate your ankle.” I sincerely appreciated her concern, love, and clear desire for me to feel better. Still, I knew from other healings in Christian Science that this, too, could be healed through prayer. So, I thought to myself that perhaps I could follow these directives, but in a spiritual fashion.

At home, I considered those words, ice and elevate. I had been worried about all the things I needed to do during the next 24 hours. The physical senses suggested that I was in too much pain to do any of these things. 

But, again, I had a choice. I reasoned that worrying is not obeying the First Commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). I chose not to worry and instead to love God with my whole heart and soul. I also thought of this statement from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need” (p. 494). So, rather than icing my ankle, I mentally “chilled” and knew that everything was being cared for by God.

In considering the word elevate, I realized I could raise my level of thinking by looking higher than the error of attributing any reality to a physical injury, and by humbly turning all my thoughts over to God, Truth. God doesn’t send suffering, and I prayed to see more clearly that I am the loved child of God. 

My cellphone was close at hand, and I tuned in to the audio recording of the previous Sunday’s online church service from The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston. As I listened, I was grateful that this site is available to all, and I felt loved. I was relaxed and felt assured that only good was present and going on. As I became more comfortable mentally and physically, I fell asleep.

In the morning, when I put my feet on the floor, there was absolutely no pain. I stood up solidly and walked freely. It was a blessing, and I was in awe. Gratefully and joyfully, I followed through with all of my tasks for that day without fear or discomfort.

I am thankful for God, Christ Jesus, Christian Science, and Mary Baker Eddy. I give God all the glory. 

Robin Beers
Bradford, Pennsylvania, US