I am grateful for an experience that showed me the healing efficacy of Christian Science. At the time, I was particularly focused on this idea that had come to me from the Bible’s book of Matthew: “Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (5:37). I saw that I could apply what might be called the “Yea, yea; Nay, nay” approach to a problem, quickly deciding the thoughts I should admit and those I should reject.

I play racket sports and often hear talk of elbow pain and injuries. Recently, I was lifting weights with a friend when I felt a sharp pain in one of my elbows. That evening, the pain grew worse. I decided that anytime I felt pain while moving my arm, I would declare, “Nay, nay.” I would then follow that with a statement that was true about God and His creation and end with, “Yea, yea.” I did that even in the middle of the night when moving my arm was painful. 

Some of the truths that came to me were from a description of man—the true nature of each of us—in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. It begins: “Man is not matter; he is not made up of brain, blood, bones, and other material elements. The Scriptures inform us that man is made in the image and likeness of God. Matter is not that likeness. The likeness of Spirit cannot be so unlike Spirit. Man is spiritual and perfect; and because he is spiritual and perfect, he must be so understood in Christian Science” (p. 475).

Verses from hymns also came to thought, including this one: 

Inspired by these ideas, I prayerfully declared that I am not matter—not made up of blood, bones, joints, etc.—and cherished a renewed sense of myself as “made in the image and likeness of God.” Yea, yea! 

I had a busy day coming up, and whenever any anxious thoughts tried to flood me with worry, I would think, “ ‘Nay, nay.’ God has only good planned. Therefore, ‘Yea, yea.’ ” 

At first, this seemed a little simplistic. Then I realized that the spiritual truths that were coming to mind were deep and worth pondering, so I thought about how I could put them into practice. They really made me want to say, “ ‘Yea, yea,’ God is good!” I felt encouraged by further words from Hymn 51 to know that no thought of weakness or hurt could reach me: “Unhallowed thought He could not plan, / Love’s work and Love must fit.” 

By midmorning the next day I was able to move my arm normally without pain, and I have been free ever since. I am so grateful for the Bible, the Christian Science textbook (Science and Health), and hymns, which are all gold mines filled with healing thoughts.

Connie Crandell
Naples, Florida, US