Article February 20, 1978 Issue

Whistling in the dark?

BETTY L. BOUTILIER

Can the act of whistling in the dark cast out fear? Can the simple process of putting a smile on the face overcome sadness and produce a merry heart? Of course not; but a whistle and a smile do seem to help a little in troubled times. However feeble the confidence they express, if they are genuine acts of confidence, they're steps in the right direction. But how can we really, effectually cast out fear and be sincerely happy even in the midst of sorrow, lack, or in situations that appear frightening? There is a way—a way that heals the situations and solves the problems.

In the Bible we hear the mighty words "Fear not" spoken to men and women all the way from Abram in Genesis to John in Revelation.See Gen. 15:1, Rev. 1:17; Casting out fear is fundamental to our Christian progress. It is tantamount to resisting the devil, or error. The Bible tells us that "perfect love casteth out fear"I John 4:18; and that "God hath not given us the spirit of fear."II Tim. 1:7; So whether or not we whistle, we are on the right track whenever we put down fear. Fear is a lie. It is a deception that would claim to cripple and chill and paralyze. But it is nothing. Assured of God's allness and the nothingness of error, we can keep our happy whistle in the midst of error's claim to frighten and deceive. We can trust Truth to cut right through the misty shadows of fear and eliminate the darkness.

Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health, "We must look where we would walk, and we must act as possessing all power from Him in whom we have our being."Science and Health, p. 264; This is not bravado, a mere trick of psychological warfare in the battle with fear. We do more than merely outbluff error. We act as having all power from God, because we do have all power from Him. Christian Science attests that God is all good and the only power there is. He creates man in His own image, loves him, and gives him dominion. And we can express this dominion over every suggestion that there is something besides God, His allness and goodness.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Poem
Your place*
February 20, 1978
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit