A woman I know spent her early years wishing she’d never been born. She knew she wasn’t wanted from day one. In fact, even before she was born she was referred to as “Calamity Jane.” Her family situation included mental illness, physical abuse, and alcoholism. As an adult, she still felt trapped by the circumstances of her birth.

In desperation, she earnestly began to study Christian Science, which included reading its two key texts: the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy.

Imagine her enormous relief when she read these words in the Bible and glimpsed that they were true: “Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). This shows that we are all actually children of God. As such, we inherit the characteristics of our divine Parent: we are spiritual, valued, and whole.

The woman came to realize that God, who is good, loves us unconditionally and that our worth isn’t determined by genes or early childhood experiences. And she saw how recognizing these spiritual facts of our existence enables us to live them. Her life turned around, and instead of falling into the same destructive patterns her parents had, she became productive and successful.

The first line of the Lord’s Prayer shows us that God is “our Father.” In Science and Health, there is a spiritual interpretation of this line: “Our Father-Mother God, all-harmonious” (p. 16). A life that expresses harmony because our divine Parent is all-harmonious? Wow! Is such a thing possible? Absolutely!

Through prayer, as we learn more of our relation to God, the perception of existence as nothing more than mortal, physical, and vulnerable can be exchanged for an understanding of our immortal, spiritual nature. It’s often not easy, but we can overcome problems as we grow in our understanding of our identity and inherent value as God’s children.

Adapted from the May 14, 2018, Christian Science Daily Lift podcast.