Article May 23, 1970 Issue

"Fear not"

JEANNE ROE PRICE

"Fear thou not," the Scriptures record God's message. "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;} Over and over again the Scriptures assure us of God's ever-presence and care, of His guidance and protection and love. Fear not! they tell us. Fear not! Fear not!

But, we may argue, how is it possible not to fear, when all around us there seem to be the most ghastly conditions of disease, lawlessness, injustice, and war, conditions we yearn to change and cure? Will fear help cure such conditions? No! Being afraid would rob us of the very ability and initiative needed to cure them. Will acceptance of the Scriptural injunction not to be afraid help? Yes! The healing medicine that can wipe out sin and pain and fear is the acknowledgment of the ever-presence and all-power of God, divine Love, or Mind, trust in God's government of the universe, including man, and daily living in accord with His law of infinite justice and right.

Where does fear originate? In mortal mind or the carnal mind, as the Bible names it. But man is not the slave of a mortal mind. To know this makes one the master of it. "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind," the Bible admonishes us, "that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."^{Rom. 12:2;} "By the renewing of your mind"! A dictionary gives one meaning of "renew" as "restore to freshness, perfection, or vigor." In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes, "Correct material belief by spiritual understanding, and Spirit will form you anew."^{Science and Health, p. 425;}