About five years ago, in the midst of conducting a membership meeting of our branch Church of Christ, Scientist, I suddenly found myself in excruciating pain. It felt similar to an intense pain I had experienced some years earlier for which I had sought medical help. This time, I wanted to rely on God for healing. 

Someone was giving a committee report at that moment, so I had a chance to sit quietly. A sentence came to me that I had learned in Christian Science Sunday School: “. . . man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.” Mary Baker Eddy quotes this maxim in her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (p. 266). I realized I had an opportunity to prove that Christ is “the great physician” (Science and Health, p. 442) that heals every ill. 

When it was time for me to stand again, the words “Matter is unreal” suddenly came to thought and stood out as if on a neon sign. Instantly, the pain completely vanished and didn’t return. I was able to resume leading the meeting. The awe I felt in that moment has been with me ever since. I am so grateful to have experienced this instantaneous healing.