"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble," the Bible teaches. For centuries people have, like the Psalmist, found comfort in the promise of God's loving care and have turned to Him in time of need.
Today we can take quite literally the Bible's eternal assurances of God's care. His power is available to us, whatever we may be up against. God gives His children the help they need. And this includes healing of physical, mental and emotional problems as well.
Christ Jesus' life showed this to be true. He relied on God's power and brought healing to many. And he said that his followers would do the same. John records his promise in these words, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also."
To sick, suffering, diseased humanity Christian Science comes with the gospel of healing. It teaches that the overcoming of illness is the natural and necessary concomitant of true Christianity. Thus, each and every one of us can have the benefit of the healing power Jesus employed. Underlying the Master's words and deeds were spiritual truths, facts about God and man, which we can learn and demonstrate if we're willing to follow his example.
When we need divine assistance, we find it in a fuller and deeper understanding of the spiritual truths in the Bible. A book that can help with this is Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. This is a book that brings to light God's ever-present goodness, His power, and His unfailing love for all His children. It shows us how a change in our concept of God and man makes practical Bible promises in our own lives, resulting in freedom from physical suffering.
The Bible reveals that man is God's offspring, His image. Our actual being continuously reflects the Father's love. How, then, can we be helpless before fear, suffering, sickness? We can't be, not in reality. The concept of man as spiritual and complete is certainly contrary to what the five material senses would have us believe. But the Scriptures bring out that spirituality is our true selfhood.
As children of God, we are never really apart form His care. But we need to open our thought to the reality of His presence and power. Accepting the fact that we are, in truth, one with our Father, God, who knows and gives His children only good, brings our thinking into line with the harmony of spiritual perfection--the only reality. And this mental change brings healing.
"But I have serious health issues", someone may be thinking. "Can I realistically expect God's help with these?" Take it from me, you can. I couldn't relate all the instances I've had in my life that demonstrate, beyond a doubt, that God is of practical help when we need to be well.
Mrs Eddy points out in Science and Health: "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." (page 166)
Whatever may be the physical ailments troubling us, we always have recourse to the Father's love and power. It's comforting to realize that no illness can arise that cannot be successfully dealt with. When we have even a small knowledge of the spiritual truths that Jesus taught and practiced, we can turn to God with confidence that He will heal us. And we can echo these words from the Old Testament: "O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me."
