Freed from breathing difficulty

During February 2007, I began to experience breathing difficulties accompanied by dizziness without warning, wherever I happened to be—in the grocery store, walking to my car in parking lots, around my home.

I contacted a Christian Science practitioner to pray with me regularly, since I knew that turning to God through prayer would bring not only relief but permanent healing. Each day, I was encouraged to keep up with my prayers, and I felt I was making progress.

These words from a hymn in the Christian Science Hymnal were my constant companions:

Girt with the love of God, on every side,

I breathe that love as heaven’s own healing air;

I work and pray, and follow still my guide,

And fear no foe, escaping every snare.

(No. 195, Horatious Bonar)

I had a large lounge chair in my bedroom, and since I couldn’t lie down in bed comfortably, I would read or sleep in it all night long. Sometimes I’d wake up in the middle of the night, gasping for air. Then I’d get up out of my chair to call the Christian Science practitioner, and she’d share healing inspiration. After that I’d feel calmer and could pray with settled, peaceful thoughts. I was then able to go back to my chair and sleep, and when I’d get up in the morning, I’d be OK.

During that time, I read the chapter “Christian Science Practice” in Science and Health over and over again, receiving new ideas and hope each time I did this. I was able to continue my daily work as our church’s Christian Science Reading Room librarian.

I refused to accept the discouraging thought that I might “never be free” from this trial. I truly believed Mary Baker Eddy’s words in Science and Health: “Trials are proofs of God’s care” (Science and Health, p. 66). And I did feel God’s constant love for me throughout this time.

One night, while sitting in my chair, it came very strongly to me that I could get into my bed and sleep. So I did. I put my afghan blanket away, because I reasoned that I wouldn’t need to sleep in the chair anymore.

Later that week, two or more minor breathing attacks occurred, but based on my ongoing prayers I dismissed them as invalid attempts by mortal mind to discourage me from claiming complete healing. And that was the end of the trouble. It had been hard for me to eat or drink anything but small amounts during this time, and those difficulties, as well as the dizziness, were also healed.

In celebration, I decided to invite my little family to a home-cooked holiday dinner with all the trimmings—something I hadn’t done for a long time. No one but the Christian Science practitioner and I knew why I was rejoicing, and it turned out to be a lovely occasion.

Dolly Brabant | San Diego, California, US