“You are loved.”

Those three simple words are periodically mounted in large poster format in the window of our local Christian Science Reading Room. Starting with their first appearance a couple of years ago, they have sparked healing for me many times. It’s not the words themselves, but what they convey to me that causes healing. They are based on the premise in Christian Science that God is Love.

The statement “God is love” (I John 4:16) points to the source of a love that is not dependent on human interaction. It speaks to the heart through intuition, or spiritual sense. Anyone and everyone can feel the pure love that comes from the Divine, because God is constantly expressing love to one and all indiscriminately.

“You are loved” has spoken directly to my heart and brought immediate healing because I know its underlying message is, “You are loved by God.” Getting even a glimpse of this, I begin to relax. I stop ruminating about a problem. I remember that healing isn’t something I achieve on my own—as Jesus taught and demonstrated, healing comes from God. This realization causes me to turn away from focusing on myself and turn wholeheartedly to God—to bask in the embrace of divine Love and let Love take charge. Surrendering to Love heals because it lets in the light that is the Christ—Emmanuel, or the knowledge of “God with us” (Matthew 1:23)—which destroys mental darkness. 

Here’s one example where I saw the power of this message in my own life. One morning, a friend texted me with an offer to help me. She had just learned that I was still in bed—as I’m an early riser, this alone was a red flag—and that furthermore, I had been in bed for two days, feeling so ill I couldn’t get up. I was discouraged and becoming alarmed about my physical state. Her kindness in reaching out to me—just to let me know she cared and was available and willing to help—moved me deeply. 

Suddenly, the message on the Reading Room posters sprang to mind: “You are loved.” Instantly, I felt the power of God’s love for me and the consequent powerlessness of fear or any physical problem to exist in God’s presence. I understood that God is the only power, and knowing God’s all-power and ever-presence—recognizing and acknowledging His love—excludes any difficulties.

Right then, the same friend phoned me. I related to her what had occurred in just the couple of minutes since she’d sent her text. When I finished she said, “Do you realize your entire demeanor just changed?” It had! And I was completely well. We rejoiced together. I got out of bed and embarked on my day, feeling strong and joyful and thanking God for this profound demonstration of Christian Science healing.

As a result of this and other healings I’ve experienced, these three words, “You are loved,” have become a kind of shorthand reminder for me to turn my focus to God, to acknowledge Love’s presence right there with me. “You are loved” triggers the recognition and acknowledgment that I am loved without reservation. It helps me see myself and others as God sees each of us—spiritual, perfect, pure, whole, and free of discord of any kind.

Knowing you are loved by God enables you to turn more readily—even instantly—from discouragement, and to stride more rapidly toward victory.

Many would acknowledge that the desire—even the deep yearning—to be loved is universal. The truth is, we all are loved, and we don’t have to do a thing to make that true. The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, wrote, “Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals. It is the open fount which cries, ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters’ ” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 13). We don’t earn God’s love. We have only to realize Love’s presence in our lives. The Bible urges all to “come and see the works of God” (Psalms 66:5)—to witness the power and magnitude of Love all around, working in each of us to inspire, to motivate, and to heal whatever is discordant.

You, too, are loved by God. And that’s not the consolation prize, because God’s love is the only pure, reliable, sustainable, and lasting love there is. Because you are loved by God, you are never alone. God cannot leave you or let you down. When you know you are loved by God, you don’t need any other power, because divine Love is the source of all there truly is. You are always loved, because Love, God, doesn’t change—Love is always being Love, dispensing love, causing love. Love is always loving you, and everyone. 

Knowing this has practical application. It helps you quiet the mental chatter about yourself and open your heart and soul to Love’s presence. It enables you to hear what Love is saying to you, to accept what Love is pouring out, and to trust that what you are hearing and receiving is exactly what you need. Knowing you are loved by God enables you to turn more readily—even instantly—from discouragement, and to stride more rapidly toward victory.

As your confidence in the fact that you are loved by God grows, you’ll more consistently see yourself and others from this basis—as God sees. Because thoughts are more powerful than words, this spiritualized view will be felt by others, even when you don’t exchange any words. As you more consistently experience universal, divine Love, you will naturally express the peace, joy, and dominion that come from God, and that contribute to an atmosphere of healing and harmony—not only for yourself but for others.

You are loved. It’s a fact. Welcome it in, embrace it, and see your true, loved, and lovable self!