Getting Above Grief

Get over it! a friend advised. Rise above it another suggests. How far over the problem must we be in order to get a higher, more spiritual view? Indeed, this metaphor works when we get too close or down and dirty with a problem that has us pinned to the mat of mortal mind. But, how do we begin the ascent out of the mire of matter and into the might of spiritual Truth, uplifting us, rising higher and higher to an enlightened plane of existence?

The ascent starts with Mrs. Eddy’s discovery of the celestial principal that she named Christian Science. This enlightened divine idea that there is no matter to hold us bound to fear’s mortal kin, sin, sickness and death, was to religion what the Wright Brothers’ fledging flight was to the command of aviation. She discovered that no material principle of physics, gravity, magnetic force, strong force, material life, truth or intelligence could eclipse God, tying man to a belief in a finite world of existence in matter.

All healing begins from this lofty perspective of Being as God and man as the spiritual idea of God, expressing Life, Love and Soul. This starting point uplifts us with spiritual vision and recognizes us as reflections of the divine. In this elevated state of thought we can correctly comprehend the true identity of man. In proportion to the clarity of our understanding of the nature and essence of man as the child of God, discordant conditions are seen to be suggestions, and these yield to man’s spiritual perfection.

There remains an important question to be answered: How can we abide in this heavenly state when we feel the jagged rocks of human existence insisting upon reality of the illusions of life in matter? At this moment it is not strength of character or firmness of conviction that is needed. It is spiritual vision from above that sustains us. It is the secret place of the most high that shields us. It is the understanding of God as omnipresent that embraces us. Securely in the Love of infinite power, our illusions of being beneath or below the Kingdom of Heaven are revealed and dissolved.

When challenged by the loss of a loved one I found these truths sustaining me and leading me to higher ground safe from the winds and waves of grief and despair. The many angels that whispered God’s goodness and the joy of God’s eternal spiritual creation lifted me to the realization that Life is eternal. New views of God’s wisdom and nurturing care led me into the company of other loving members of this Christian community of spiritual thinkers. Slowly, gently, I emerged until I saw clearly where the daystar was guiding me. Many suggestions presented themselves like so many beguiling invitations to continue struggling with matter. Each day I heard the bird’s song heralding the morn and awakening me to new opportunities. Each prayer took me higher and higher into the understanding of my divine right to dwell in God’s Holy City of Love. No longer alone or afraid, doubt was vanquished, hope kindled, anguish healed, and completeness re-established. I got over it to where blessings abound.

JAK Orinda 2/2007

Rh-negative Blood Condition Neutralized through Prayer

I’d like to share an experience that proved to me without a doubt that God’s law heals, even in dire circumstances.

When my husband and I were expecting our first child, we went to a local doctor for prenatal care. He took a blood test and came back with the news that I had Rh-negative blood. He said this would not be a problem for this present child, but would, after childbirth, cause harmful antibodies to form that would attack the blood of any subsequent children, causing them to be weak, still-born, or needing a total blood transfusion upon arrival. But, he said, I was fortunate that in recent years, medical research had figured out how to avert this disaster by administering a particular drug to the mother within twenty-four hours after childbirth. He warned that without this, we should count on only one child.

These black predictions were extremely alarming to me. We were preparing for the arrival of this child, the first of four, we hoped, with the spiritual support of a Christian Science practitioner. She prayed for me, and I prayed with a depth of need I had rarely faced before. I realized that nobody would blame me for taking this drug if I felt that were best–and I realized that perhaps most expectant moms would gladly run in that direction. However, being a life-long student of Christian Science and having witnessed many times its healing power, I was more inclined to turn to God to heal this condition rather than to drugs. I mentally protested against the proposition that a mix of chemicals had more power to protect life than God, who is Life itself. I vigorously claimed God’s allness, omnipotence, and infinite capacity to maintain of His creation. By the time our son was born, we had moved, and the doctor who first alerted us to this condition was not on the case. I felt a sufficient certainty that I could trust God on this that I did not take the drug. The midwife who helped us with the birth was not aware of the situation, and the birth was a normal one.

My husband and I continued our prayer. When we found ourselves expecting again about a year later, I knew I needed to focus single-mindedly on the spiritual facts about this second child and me. Daily I strove to see more clearly that God is the sole Creator, and that He/She lovingly cares for all He/She creates. In God’s eyes, I was not the source of that child’s life, and I therefore could not be its destroyer. God already knew and loved this precious little one, and I strove to understand this more clearly. God’s law of love overruled any supposed law or action of malicious antibodies. We were grateful for the continued support of the Christian Science practitioner.

I was praying much, but I was sometimes so beset by fears that I couldn’t tell if my prayers were being effective. About two months before our second child was to arrive, the message at a Wednesday evening testimony meeting spoke directly to me. The Biblical account from John 4: 46-53 was read, in which a desperate dad pleads with Jesus to heal his son, who is at the point of death. Jesus says, Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe. The dad renews his request for help, and Jesus says, Go thy way; thy son liveth, and the dad goes home. He is met with the wonderful news that his son is fully well.

I realized this seemed my situation exactly. The dad at Jesus’ feet had to believe, trust Jesus’ words without seeing, and go his way. I also could trust what the Christ had been telling me for the past year and a half without having it confirmed physically. It felt like the Christ was right there saying to me, It’s going to be all right, because it is already all right! The fear lifted.

Very shortly after this we made arrangements with a doctor to assist us with a home birth. We requested no blood tests, and he was willing to honor our request.  He was not aware of my blood type.  Our daughter Rachel arrived safely, sound, and whole. There was no vestige of any blood problems, and the doctor pronounced her in perfect health. Again, I chose not to take the drug after this birth, choosing to continue God-reliance.

A year and a half later, this decision to stick with God’s view and authority was blessed in the healthy arrival or our third child. When our fourth was on its way, we arranged with a midwife in the area to help us, as the doctor who helped with the middle two children had moved. She asked me directly if I had Rh-negative blood, and I replied yes. She took a blood test, and it confirmed that although I had this blood type, the predicted pernicious antibodies had never formed after any of the three births. The fourth child arrived safely and in excellent health.

This experience of learning to trust God to fully sustain and care for His children has been a beacon to our family throughout their growing years. It has been a solid rock of conviction that God’s care is the safest and surest in any circumstance, and we as a family saw this borne out repeatedly in quick healings of many problems, including illness, burns, and broken foot bones. I thank God for His goodness and tender loving care, and offer this experience in hope that it will help someone else.

A.L.K.

Shoulder Injury Healed

A few years ago I was fly fishing in the mountains of South America during a particularly windy week when there were dust storms and wind gusts reaching 50 to 60 mph. The strain of casting heavy lines into the wind one day caused my shoulder to give out with great pain and very limited movement during the rest of the trip.

When I returned home I found that even with rest, the shoulder grew no better and restricted my tennis, fishing and other activities. I attempted some physical rehabilitation but my range of movement was so limited that a physical trainer recommended that I consider an operation to correct what seemed to be a severe injury to my rotator cuff. I really was forced to either tackle the problem through prayer or seek a medical solution. I chose prayer.

Christian Science teaches that man is not a material body but the spiritual reflection of God, so in my real, spiritual being, I embody all the same perfect, painless and free movement that God creates and expresses. The CS textbook states: “Mind is the source of all movement, and there is no inertia to retard or check its perpetual and harmonious action.” (p 283:4). Since my concern was lack of normal movement in my shoulder, I realized that I needed to change my whole concept of movement from focusing on the interaction of physical parts, subject to injury or limitation, to a spiritual concept of movement, as the unrestricted and harmonious movement expressed by the divine Mind.

My daily prayer was to consistently see that any opposing thoughts, of pain or fear of limited movement were only false beliefs, acting themselves out in my human consciousness. My prayer was to have confidence that I could change these false beliefs, as effectively as I would be able to erase the incorrect answer on a test and substitute the correct one. The belief of limited movement was not part of my real spiritual identity, and hence it couldn’t have power over me.

The healing of the shoulder took place over a period of months. At first it was hard to hold to the correct view of movement, when it seemed that there was still considerable restriction. (One of the unintended but positive consequences was that in this interim period I taught myself to cast with my other hand, which has since proved to be an invaluable skill.) But after a few months, I noticed that my range of movement had markedly increased, and soon I was able to play tennis and fly-cast without limitation.

I am exceedingly grateful for this healing, not only for the physical change, but for the confidence and lack of fear that it has given me in facing the full range of issues that seem to confront one on a daily basis.

J.S.

Grief Healed

The recent passing of my husband proved to be an opportunity to grow spiritually in my understanding of man’s true identity as a spiritual idea of God. I glimpsed the spiritual fact that identity is not in a material body that can be destroyed and disappear from one’s sight.

The Bible tells us, “God created man in his own image,” (Gen. 1: 27) Thus man is truly one with God and can never be separated from Him. As I began each day with the words from a hymn by Mary Baker Eddy, the discover of Christian Science, “Shepherd, show me how to go… I will listen for Thy voice lest my footsteps stray…”, I was guided in carrying out the needed tasks.

I tangibly felt divine Love surrounding me. Love, thoughtfulness, support poured forth from God, who is Love, expressed by family members, friends, acquaintances, sometimes in unexpected ways. This presence of divine Love obliterated grief and brought an overwhelming sense of gratitude to God. I realized my husband was going forward with God in peace and that the qualities such as kindness, love, generosity, steadfastness which he expressed would always be with me.

I am deeply grateful that the study of Christian Science illuminates our paths bringing peace, comfort, guidance and God’s abundant love.
N.H.

Discomfort after Eating Healed

I recently was invited to an artist friend’s home for luncheon, along with another artist friend. My hostess’ husband is from India so she has learned to cook Indian food. I was offered me second helpings, and I eagerly ate. The food was delicious.

A couple of hours later, we were looking at her paintings and discussing mine, when I began to feel very uncomfortable. I thought I had stuffed myself, & that was the cause. I started to feel weak & dizzy, and felt I could not stand upright. I was seeing double, so I sat downi I tried to figure how I could leave graciously, but wondered how I would drive my car. As I sat there, I began saying to myself the Scientific Statement of Being from Science & Health, by Mary Baker Eddy: “There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter…” and I felt that maybe I could leave the group discretely without anyone knowing my situation. By then, I was able to drive my car, and when the radio turned on, they were talking about the current Ecoli & bad spinach situation.

I realized that one of her dishes was a spinach casserole. I laughed at that, because this lady would NEVER buy spinach in a plastic bag. She does everything from scratch. And there was no power in a plastic bag to harm me; no power in unwashed spinach to harm me; no harm in anything that God made, and God made EVERYTHING! There is only one power and that is God, good. There is only one source, and that is good, and nothing but good can be real.

I was able to drive my car to my church, where I had an important item to tend to. By then I was no longer seeing double, and I was able to walk in a straight line. By the time I arrived at my home, I was perfectly well. And extremely grateful!

I so appreciate the lessons we learn in Christian Science, and how God is caring for us continually. What a blessing we have in Christian Science!

J.P.