Ever since beginning the study of Christian Science in my early years of Sunday School, I’ve enjoyed putting it into practice in everyday-life situations. Christian Science has taught me of God’s love and care for all His children. I have witnessed this truth on different occasions in my life. 

For example, I recently saw the way God’s ever-present care helps us experience order and harmony. I am a preschool teacher and work as part of a team with other colleagues at a school. One day, unexpectedly, an argument arose between two colleagues over a work situation in which I found myself involved. One of them had different expectations about my role in this particular situation. I had not acted as she would have liked. I felt surprised by her questioning me and tried to explain. Meanwhile, in my thoughts I was declaring that God was with us and that none of us was separated from His love. 

A few hours later, at home, I experienced sharp chest pains on my left side and was unable to sit, stand, or remain in any position. I felt afraid, and my heart began to race. My husband, who also studies Christian Science and has seen the power of God in his daily experience, said to me, “What are you accepting?” 

His question made me realize that I was being taken in by a lie—because I knew that God was not the author of sickness, pain, or discord. I then began to pray more earnestly, leaning on affirmations of truth found on page 468 of the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. This page includes “the scientific statement of being”: “There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual.”

Minutes later, feeling something of the truth of this statement, I was able to rest. Throughout the night, every time I woke up and felt a slight discomfort, I declared that God is Spirit and perfect and that I reflect that divine perfection. I felt I had acted correctly in the work situation, and there couldn’t be any negative consequence for doing right. 

On my way to work the next day, I continued to pray, acknowledging that I was going to meet God’s daughter, because that was my colleague’s true identity as God’s image as the Bible says. Seeing her in this way, I did not feel angry with her. Instead, this passage from Proverbs came to thought: “A friend loveth at all times” (17:17).

As I arrived, the sharp pains began again in the same place, so I asked for prayerful help from a Christian Science practitioner. She very lovingly prayed for me and helped me understand that the apparent discord was unreal because it was unknown to God; that I could not be wounded because God is the only power or influence; and that the only thing I could feel was the peace of God wherever I was. As I understood this, all fear disappeared, and so did the pain—immediately. And it hasn’t returned. 

When I entered my workplace and met my colleague, I felt deep love for her. When she saw me, she greeted me with great affection, and we spoke naturally. This experience helped me understand that I had never been wounded by anyone. Our work relationship continues to be harmonious, and we enjoy working as a team, which has also strengthened our friendship.

This was yet another opportunity to witness God’s loving care for us and to trust that He always answers our prayers. 

Marisa Mónica Minatta
Buenos Aires, Argentina