COVID symptoms overcome

One night last fall I felt extremely ill, and soon realized I had many of the symptoms associated with COVID-19. But because I’ve learned in Christian Science how to pray and to understand myself as the reflection of God, good, I knew I didn’t have to be afraid. The symptoms were not true about my identity as God’s spiritual child. 

While the illness was the most obvious challenge I was facing, there was more going on in my life that needed healing. My childhood dog, who had been part of our family for 18 years, had just passed away. Then a couple of weeks later, my grandma unexpectedly passed away. I had also been struggling with feelings of depression, and sometimes had dark thoughts. Although I had been praying about these situations, the COVID symptoms made me feel as though I had hit rock bottom, bringing back many of the dark feelings, such as grief and despair.

I called a Christian Science practitioner for prayerful treatment, and she shared many helpful ideas that brought me peace for the first time in a long while. The one that I found most comforting was this line from Mary Baker Eddy’s poem “Communion Hymn”: “Love wipes your tears all away” (Poems, p. 75). The practitioner shared that Love, which is another name for God, wipes away not only all my tears but also all symptoms of illness as well as frustration, fear, pain, grief, and confusion. We prayed to understand that Love fills every seeming void and that I did not have to fear contagion for me or anyone else. 

I held closely to these ideas and prayed to see them demonstrated in my experience. The next day was Sunday, and I listened to the online church service from The Mother Church (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston). I let the words of the Bible Lesson-Sermon from the Christian Science Quarterly wash over me, and I felt so embraced in God’s love. I regained strength during the hour-long service, and immediately afterward, I felt almost all of the symptoms and much of the sadness and pain wash away. I hadn’t experienced such quick progress in healing a physical problem before. I felt encouraged by this clear proof of God’s ever-present love and care.

The only lingering symptom was a stuffy nose, and I continued to pray, knowing that there could be no congested sense of life and no fear of illness, emptiness, sadness, or lack in God’s kingdom. I wanted to understand that because nothing was out of God’s control, I didn’t have to experience pressure or anxiety. I wanted to trust these ideas instead of physical symptoms or emotions. As I learned to allay any lingering fears of COVID, I had a complete healing. My rapid freedom from these aggressive symptoms demonstrated to me the effectiveness of prayer and the immediacy of God’s, Love’s, help.

Not only was I healed physically, but I also found a lasting sense of peace and an expanded understanding of eternal Life, God. I knew that the qualities expressed by my dog and my grandma can never die, and they continue to be evident in different aspects of my life and to bless me and others. I found happiness again as I recognized these qualities and God’s unchanging goodness reflected around me. The depression and grief left and have not returned. 

When I am faced with challenges, I remind myself of this healing and of how Love gently wipes away everything that is not an expression of God’s goodness. We can never be touched by anything but God’s love, and His love for us is infinite—always protecting, nurturing, and caring for us.

Courtlyn Reekstin
Brookline, Massachusetts, US