During an assignment in India, I was reminded by local citizens of a famous and well-reported event that happened nearby in the last century. Sir Charles Napier, whose statue stands today in London's Trafalgar Square, triumphed over a circumstance that many feared could have been fatal. While horseback riding in the Indian countryside, he caught sight of a savage tiger poised for attack. Looking the animal straight in the eye, he held his ground until the tiger retreated into the jungle. Sir Charles's fearlessness illustrates the might of God-given intelligence that we each can exercise in overcoming some threatening mortal condition. See Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, p. 378, and Mary Baker Eddy Mentioned Them (Boston: The Christian Science Publishing Society, 1961), pp. 155-156 .
The Bible abounds with many examples that enable us to gain a better perception of divine Truth's power and presence and thereby triumph over so-called disastrous happenings. A favorite Old Testament story tells about Jacob's personal struggle during a critical time in his life. He had come to make amends with his estranged brother Esau, whom he had wronged earlier. But messengers told him that Esau was coming to him with what appeared to be a hostile host of four hundred men.
Jacob feared impending destruction. Instead of panicking, however, he held to what he perceived to be an angel sent from God to save him. When Esau and his followers arrived, they warmly welcomed Jacob.
