Sue Rohde
From the November 10, 1997 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel
Every year when the weather turns cold, we hear over and over again what we are to expect. And according to the news, people are suffering from just about everything. Could it be possible that they are accepting as true whatever they hear about disease and expecting certain symptoms to appear? This is why we need to take a stand against contagion before and during what is called the flu season.
This stand is effective when based on an understanding of God's law, which maintains that reality is spiritual because God is Spirit and All. And man created in God's likeness is spiritual and real. Therefore a description of a material condition like the flu cannot touch man or cause one of God's children to suffer, because the condition and the description of it are fundamentally unreal and powerless. Matter does not govern man; Spirit does.
In Science and Health Mary Baker Eddy says: "You command the situation if you understand mortal existence is a state of self-deception and not the truth of being. Mortal mind is constantly producing on mortal body the results of false opinions; and it will continue to do so, until mortal error is deprived of its imaginary powers by Truth, which sweeps away the gossamer web of mortal illusion. The most Christian state is one of rectitude and spiritual understanding, and this is best adapted for healing the sick" (p. 403).
So, what can we do to keep man's perfection in view? If we hear or read descriptions of a disease that is going around, reject at that time those statements as being untrue, because they are untrue about God's image and likeness. Each of us is wholly good and pure, under the complete control of our creator. And our true being cannot be influenced by mortal opinion. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans, "Let God be true, but every man a liar" (3:4).
One year my husband and I had driven to another state to spend time with family. There was a great deal of activity, and it seemed every minute of every day was taken up. I was so caught up in things that I was not watching and guarding my thought. After a wonderful time with family, I began to feel all the symptoms of the flu, just like the descriptions I had heard so often. Even on the way home my thoughts were preoccupied. When we arrived home, I finally realized that I had been taken in by what was going around. But I took my stand for Truth at last.
In a very short time, all the symptoms of the flu vanished.
I began praying for myself. I also called a Christian Science practitioner, who agreed to pray with me and support my stand. I knew that I had to rely on God instead of any personal ability and that God's law of good was governing me.
In a very short time, I felt relief, which was permanent. And I had learned a valuable lesson: I need to take my stand for Truth immediately whenever I hear, see, or feel any discordant condition trying to make inroads with me! All the symptoms of the flu vanished. This was proof to me that mortal belief cannot persist when confronted with the truth that God alone is power. And He always cares for and maintains His own creation. You can know this, too, and stamp out the flu "bug" once and for all!