Do we ever stop to consider how Christian Science protects us by preventing untoward experiences, including disease? Mrs. Eddy states in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, "The prophylactic and therapeutic (that is, the preventive and curative) arts belong emphatically to Christian Science, as would be readily seen, if psychology, or the Science of Spirit, God, was understood."Science and Health, p. 369;
The preventive element of Christian Science is just as much cause for gratitude as its better-known healing power. Christian Scientists should thankfully acknowledge that the understanding of God and His ever-operative laws provides divine guidance and protection, holding one safe from dangers.
There is a great drive on these days by the news media to bring to people's attention new kinds of material so-called know-how to cope with diseases and distress. We are repeatedly warned what not to eat, what not to drink, and even what not to wear. This is just the reverse of what the Sermon on the Mount teaches, "Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?"Matt. 6:31;
Long ago Mrs. Eddy made this remark, which still holds true: "Looking over the newspapers of the day, one naturally reflects that it is dangerous to live, so loaded with disease seems the very air. These descriptions carry fears to many minds, to be depicted in some future time upon the body."Miscellaneous Writings, p. 7; But the fear engendered by this publicity can be overcome, because fear is an illusory product of mortal mind, or error—the false, material sense that claims there is a power and existence apart from God, good. Fear is untrue because only good is true, because only good is God-created. What an opportunity we have today to face up to this impostor fear and help prove its unreality for people everywhere!
The Bible is full of admonitions not to fear. One of the most comforting to me is from Isaiah: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."Isa. 41:10; Such promises as these can give us the courage to go forth fearlessly each day in the understanding of divine Truth.
In Science and Health we find this forceful statement: "Nothing but the power of Truth can prevent the fear of error, and prove man's dominion over error."Science and Health, p. 380; Truth, God, reveals His allness to each individual through the Bible and Science and Health. He reveals His absolute control of all creation and the great fact that we have our being in Him as His spiritual reflection. This dawning recognition gradually destroys the belief that matter and evil are real, giving us increasing dominion over them and eliminating fear.
Everyone has the right to challenge the insistent claims of material sense that there is a reality other than God. We can see all these claims for what they are— illusion. In truth, we are spiritual, living in a spiritual universe, where God maintains everything perfect and whole. We are living in the kingdom of heaven, Mind's reign of harmony, here and now. When Christ Jesus was asked when the kingdom of God would come, he said, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."Luke 17: 20, 21;
How important it is to know that no supposed material danger or circumstance or condition can really pluck anyone out of the realm of Mind, where all dwell in perfect harmony and security as the invulnerable representatives of God! These words of Jesus, scientifically understood, protect one from fear and evil and help protect the world: "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."12:32.
