SEVERE PAIN AND FEAR HEALED

One day I was rushing to complete errands in preparation for an upcoming trip. At one point, I'd parked the car and was hurrying across the parking lot when I saw a woman fall to the pavement. I immediately went to help. But before reaching her, I felt a severe pain in the back of my left leg.

The woman was quickly cared for by others who had seen her fall. But because of the pain I was experiencing, I returned to my car to drive home rather than complete the errands. As I drove, I turned to God in prayer as I usually do. Prayer in Christian Science has always met my needs physically, in business, and in relationship challenges. And Christian Science has taught me to begin my prayer on the basis of this Bible truth: "God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" (Gen. 1:27).

A spiritual perspective helps me understand that healing is not about changing a physical condition but about seeing that my health is already intact because of my inseparable relationship with God. This clear understanding brings the needed change.

So right there in my car, I acknowledged that both the woman who had fallen in the parking lot, and I, were children of God—spiritual, loved, and cared for by Him each moment. Then this from Isaiah came to thought: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (41:10). My initial fears quieted, and I felt comforted with the assurance that God is an ever-present help.

Upon arriving home, I called a Christian Science practitioner to pray with me, as it was painful to put any weight on my leg. The practitioner encouraged me to read an allegory in Science and Health. The allegory presents a trial that begins in the "lower Court of Error," but is completed in the "Supreme Court of Spirit" (pp. 430–442). A man is accused and initially found guilty of a disease. But when Spirit—God—judges the case, the man is proved innocent and is set free, completely well.

The account became a powerful illustration to me of God as my advocate, God as my defender, and God as my lawgiver. I saw more clearly than ever that everyone, as His spiritual creation, is under His jurisdiction and protection—thereby able to be free from the expected effects of illness, injury, or accident.

Suddenly, as I read the following lines, I felt free and unafraid: "Thy Jury of Spiritual Senses agreed at once upon a verdict, and there resounded throughout the vast audience-chamber of Spirit the cry, Not guilty. Then the prisoner rose up regenerated, strong, free" (p. 442). I knew right then that I wasn't guilty either and could be "regenerated, strong, free."

Within several days, my complete mobility and freedom from pain were restored with no aftereffects. My study had given me total assurance that with God as defender and advocate, no one is a helpless victim; further, that dominion over pain and debility was my birthright.

This healing took place in October 2007 and has been permanent. As a matter of fact, several months later, my husband and I began training in preparation for the 33-and-a-half-mile Milford Track hike over rugged terrain in New Zealand. Throughout the training period, and on the hike itself, I experienced complete freedom of movement in my leg. We have enjoyed additional hikes since then without any pain or stiffness. I am filled with gratitude for God's care.

CHRISTINA KOCH
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, US