Health-Care Reform

HEALTH care continues to be newsworthy as debateand discussion over the merits of various health care plans take place. And adequate health care is an issue of major importance in virtually every nation on the globe. The approach taken by each country will of course vary. Nonetheless a common thread throughout the world is the worthy goal of ensuring the well-being of all peoples and reducing, and eventually eliminating, suffering.A real reform in health care took place over a century ago when Mary Baker Eddy discovered Christian Science and wrote the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. While Christian Science is a religion, and not simply a system of health care, what it teaches us about God and His creation, man, does change our lives for the better-including improving our health. What's more, its message is here now. It is available to all-for spiritual regeneration and healing.Turning to God in prayer is truly a secure and practical means of health care. We have both confirmation of this and an example to follow in the words and works of Christ Jesus. The Bible provides ample evidence that Jesus' ministry included healing all manner of illness and infirmity. And he told his followers-which includes us-that they too should heal the sick.Christian Science shows us both how to prevent and how to cure disease. And it embraces the entire person, not just his or her physical body. Many who have been healed in Christian Science report that the spiritual regeneration and renewal they experience transcend the physical improvement that takes place. Students of Christian Science seek to heal sickness, sin, and disease as did the Master, Christ Jesus, through a clear understanding that the man of God's creating is and always has been whole and spiritual.In the Bible the Psalmist urges: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies . . ." (Psalms 103:2-4). How do we bless the Lord? To me, this is accomplished through a grateful acknowledgment of God's all power and presence in our lives, through knowing that no problem is beyond resolution when we willingly seek God's help.In her book The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, Mrs. Eddy points out: "Remember, thou canst be brought into no condition, be it ever so severe, where Love has not been before thee and where its tender lesson is not awaiting thee. Therefore despair not nor murmur, for that which seeketh to save, to heal, and to deliver, will guide thee, if thou seekest this guidance" (pp. 149-150).Both functional and organic diseases have been healed through prayer and the understanding of, and complete reliance on, the power of the divine Mind, God. This prayer is not one of blind faith or of begging God for favor. Prayer that heals is based on the fact that man is spiritual, the image and likeness of God. As such, man is not subject to material health laws, but only to God's perfect law of good. Understanding this enables one to overcome inharmonies in mind and body. Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health: "The physical healing of Christian Science results now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine Principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness and disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sin to reformation. Now, as then, these mighty works are not supernatural, but supremely natural" (p. xi). As we drop the deceptive mortal sense view of reality, we become increasingly aware of the fact that man is spiritual, not material.I personally have been confronted with, and have successfully overcome, challenges of unemployment and inharmony in the workplace, as well as physical ailments. One illustration of God's healing power that stands out to me came about when I was healed of tuberculosis while serving in the United States Navy. The disease had been diagnosed by Navy medical personnel. I was relieved of all active duty, placed on a temporary disability retirement, and was subject to periodic medical examinations. I relied entirely on Christian Science treatment, and the operation of God's law did indeed bring about a complete healing. In my case there was certainly a need for physical healing, but the real need was for a radical change in thought. I had for quite some time resented a particular superior officer. This resentment literally festered in my thinking until I became ill as a result. Christian Science not only healed the tuberculosis but embraced my entire being, correcting the unwholesome state of thought as well. That the physical healing was complete was evidenced by a clean bill of health from the Navy and full restoration to active service. It is indeed God who heals all our diseases and redeems our lives from destruction. Such spiritual healing and redemption is at hand-ever available-as noted in the words of the prophet Jeremiah. He writes of God: "Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord" (23:23, 24). We do not need a medical insurance plan or an appointment to call on God. We need not wait in a reception room until He has time for us prior to receiving His help. God's care is effective, thorough. And it is available right now!