Recovering health

A COMMON problem these days is addiction stemming from prescription drugs. Many people might be interested to learn that there is a way to combat sickness and recover health without having to depend on medication. That way is the healing power of Christianity that Christ Jesus practiced. His words ``Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free''1 point to the naturalness of healing from a purely metaphysical standpoint as he did. They point to unchanging divine law, which we can turn to with certainty. Through the study of Christian Science, we're helped to see what that healing truth is, the truth found in the Bible's pages. There we learn that God is omnipotent and entirely good and that man is the image of God. As the likeness of his creator, man forever expresses the divine nature. And because God is Spirit, man is spiritual. To be sure, we appear to be merely flesh and bones and subject to suffering. But physicality isn't the actual or ultimate substance of our being. Life in the flesh is a misconception of man, whose real identity as the image of God is incorporeal, untouched by debilitating physical conditions.

The growing understanding of man's spiritual nature has a purifying effect on the body. It awakens us to the everpresence of Christ, Truth -- of the divine healing influence -- and the body responds to this uplifting influence. Health is restored.

Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered and founded Christian Science, writes in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: ``To ignore God as of little use in sickness is a mistake. Instead of thrusting Him aside in times of bodily trouble, and waiting for the hour of strength in which to acknowledge Him, we should learn that He can do all things for us in sickness as in health.''2

Recently, as I was about to go to bed, an extreme feeling of sickness swept over me. I don't recall ever experiencing such nausea before. Being a lifelong Christian Scientist, I knew the answer to the trouble could be found through prayer, but clear spiritual reasoning seemed beyond me for the moment. Added to the physical discomfort was what looked like certain cancellation of important activities planned for the next day. However, I had experienced physical healings from relying on God's power many times before, so I turned fervently to Him for help with this challenge.

These words from Science and Health came to thought: ``Become conscious for a single moment that Life and intelligence are purely spiritual, -- neither in nor of matter, -- and the body will then utter no complaints. If suffering from a belief in sickness, you will find yourself suddenly well.''3 I prayed earnestly to realize my perfection as God's spiritual image, and within an hour all the suffering had gone. I felt great. After a sound night's sleep I woke with my usual interest in breakfast and had no adverse reaction from either eating or riding into the city to work.

Spiritual healing in Christian Science is more than a recovery of health; it includes moral strengthening. Turning to God in prayer and relying on Him for healing constitute the genuine Christian way of salvation. This holy activity regenerates and purifies one's thought and life.

We have a God-given right not only to enjoy sound health but to recover it through spiritual means when it is threatened. Jesus has furnished us with a precedent, indicating that as we follow his example we can learn what God is and how to avail ourselves of His power.

The Bible is full of assurances of God's healing help. These are not empty promises. They come to life for us in clear-cut healing when we are equipped with practical knowledge of God's eternal law of harmony and of our relationship to Him. Empowered with the Christly understanding that a study of Christian Science brings, we can turn to God for every aspect of our well-being, including health, proving to our own satisfaction and joy, ``The Lord will take away from thee all sickness.''4

1John 8:32. 2Science and Health, p. 166. 3Ibid., p. 14. 4Deuteronomy 7:15.

You can find more articles about spiritual healing in the Christian Science Sentinel, a weekly magazine. DAILY BIBLE VERSE: I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 30:17