This article is part of a series appearing occasionally in the Sentinel, The Christian Science Journal, and The Herald of Christian Science. Each article aims to correct some misconception about Christian Science that would keep us from having the results we so desire as spiritual healers.

One misperception that some people have of Christian Science is that it’s like a box of tools and can be “used” to fix all of life’s problems. While analogies can be helpful in understanding spiritual concepts, thinking of Christian Science as a collection of tools can be limiting because it causes us to miss the most important point: that Christian Science is the revelation of how things actually are. It’s the truth of being. It doesn’t fix problems, but instead reveals reality, transforming our thought and our experience for the better.

We don’t “use” the law of gravity to keep from floating off into space. Gravity is the law that keeps us grounded, whether or not we are aware of it and without our doing anything to activate it. In the same way, we don’t use Christian Science; more accurately stated, Christian Science uses us. Through it, we manifest God’s healing grace and love. How? By awakening to what is real and true.