Is there anything one can do to alleviate or destroy fear? There surely is. He can actively refuse to be afraid. But this refusal cannot be based upon mere human will; it needs to be founded upon the assurance that God is always at hand to protect and save. As one recognizes this great fact, even in a measure, his fear is mitigated and finally can be destroyed.

To know clearly the ever-presence and protecting power of God requires an understanding of Him. One might well begin by recognizing that He is the Supreme Being. He is all good; for if He were part good and part evil, He would contradict Himself, and He would be self-destroyed. He is perfect, since the Supreme Being, the everlasting God, cannot be characterized by that which is less than faultless and complete. He is omnipotent, for to be supreme He must be unopposed.

A God who is good, perfect, and omnipotent could never be the source of fear. The Bible assures us, "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." ^{II Tim. 1:7;}

Christian Science, which is in complete accord with the Bible, helps one see the nature of God and man more clearly, and thus equips one to conquer fear. This Science uses interchangeably seven synonyms for God, all of which are found in or suggested by the Scriptures: Love, Spirit, Life, Truth, Mind, Soul, and Principle. Surely divine Love does not afflict one with fear. Certainly in the presence of infinite Spirit there is no evil or erroneous power to harm. Such truths as these, realized and held to, destroy fear. Mrs. Eddy states in Science and Health, "Nothing but the power of Truth can prevent the fear of error, and prove man's dominion over error." ^{Science and Health, p. 380;}

The real man, one's true selfhood, is made in the image and likeness of God, as the first chapter of Genesis states. It is inconceivable that the image of Love or Spirit can be afraid. Fear is related only to a false concept of man as a mortal who is subject to the forces of evil or error. This false concept is routed as one claims his true identity as Mind's image, forever immune from fear and danger.

The greatest destroyer of fear was Christ Jesus. His clear perception of Love's goodness and power enabled him not only to be free from fear himself but to master this evil in others. Before raising Jairus' daughter he quieted the ruler with, "Be not afraid, only believe." ^{Mark 5:36;} In the midst of an intense storm at sea he first calmed his agitated disciples by rebuking their fear. Then he stilled the winds and the sea. (See Matt. 8:24-27.) He wasn't afraid to submit to crucifixion, for even under such a crisis he knew that Love would not desert him but would enable him to turn his experience into a great, eternal victory.

Regardless of the reason for fear, God gives us the ability and understanding to quell it. How can we do this? By seeing that infinite Love, God, fills all space, reigns supreme, and does not permit one of His own to be afflicted or harmed. Governed by such understanding, we can echo the words of the Psalmist, "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." ^{Ps. 91:10;}

Suppose one is afraid of disease. The fear, and subsequently the disease, can be destroyed by discerning that God, supreme Mind, controls all and never causes anyone to be a victim of disease. Evil, in the guise of sickness and fear, is contrary to good and hence to God. Therefore it cannot have even a trace of power over one's true selfhood. As one refuses to be afraid, he is taking the first step in routing the disease. Mrs. Eddy states, "When fear disappears, the foundation of disease is gone." ^{Science and Health, p. 368;}

If one is afraid that some evil may harm a loved one, let him remember that no evil can possibly befall a child of Love. It is God's responsibility to care for His own, and we can be sure He always will. As we trust Him and reject the anxious thoughts that would tempt us to believe that man can be subject to danger or mistake or ignorance, our fear dissipates. This understanding will help one we love, even when there is nothing we can do humanly.

In like manner, every fearful thought may be conquered. We never have to be afraid if we turn to ever-present Love and realize its unopposed power and goodness, and the consequent powerlessness of evil. Paul wrote, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ^{Rom. 8:38, 39.}