HOW grateful we can be that Christian Science reveals to each one of us peace, joy, and freedom from fear! Freedom from fear—what a cause for rejoicing! This freedom means freedom from anxious concern, freedom from dreaded diseases, and freedom from so-called destructive forces. But even more than that, it includes freedom from what the Bible terms "sudden fear." In Proverbs we are told (3:25), "Be not afraid of sudden fear."
What is this sudden fear? The expression implies that some power or presence can invade one's harmony, unexpectedly, and cause discord or destruction. Sudden fear would try to dispel happiness and peace and present a painful or an alarming condition. Then this fear would argue that God, infinite good, is not ever present and omnipotent and that someone or something can be harmed, suffer deprivation, or be destroyed. Finally, it would claim that we can do very little, if anything, about the situation because the suddenness and seriousness of the trouble leave no time to handle it effectively.
How can we overcome these subtle and aggressive suggestions and find freedom from sudden fear? Christian Science reveals the complete answer, for it shows us the ever-presence and omnipotence of God, divine Love, and the consequent nonpresence and impotence of all that is unlike God, divine Love.
