Here in the South, everyone seems to have pollen allergies in the spring and fall. The problem is heavily advertised in the media and constantly discussed in public. The pollen is everywhere; your car turns yellow, even the streets turn yellow.

Last spring, for the first time I experienced all the symptoms of a pollen allergy. I had a real struggle with it. While praying for healing, it occurred to me that I didn’t have to fear or dread the pollen season. Pollen serves a useful purpose in nature and is, as an element in spiritual creation, an idea of God. Every object and subject of God’s creation has its own function to perform, and one useful idea (the pollen) cannot interfere with another idea (me). This came to me so clearly. It’s made it easier for me to be grateful for the pollen and to respect its place in the overall scheme of things.

Another thought I had in relation to the pollen was Jesus’ response when Pilate asked him, “Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?” Jesus replied, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above” (John 19:10, 11). Likewise, pollen could have no power to hurt me, or anyone, because God never gave any person or thing power over His spiritual creation.

I wanted to share these insights in the event it might be helpful to someone else. They’ve helped me overcome much of the suffering associated with pollen.

D. G-M

This account was originally published in the September 2009 issue of the Christian Science Journal.