I have been considering this sentence from the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: “Hold perpetually this thought,—that it is the spiritual idea, the Holy Ghost and Christ, which enables you to demonstrate, with scientific certainty, the rule of healing, based upon its divine Principle, Love, underlying, overlying, and encompassing all true being” (p. 496).

Definitions of the word encompass include to environ, encircle, enclose, or surround. To me, this indicates that lifting thought to a higher standpoint, fortified by God, divine Love, forwards healing and progress. Healing is at the heart of this magazine, and my family and I have experienced many healings through spiritual means alone as taught in Christian Science. One in particular comes to mind. 

At one time I noticed a lump near one of my ankles. Soon I began feeling some discomfort in that area. I told a Christian Science practitioner about it. Her prayerful response was this verse from Isaiah: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” (52:7).