How do we view natural forces? Opinions on this subject have evolved progressively through the ages. Blind worship and superstitious terror have largely given way to a growing sense of natural forces as the outcome of universal laws in operation. And by degrees, a sense of helplessness before these forces is giving way to a more positive outlook that includes such elements as prediction, control, and application of knowledge in science and technology for the betterment of mankind.

At a higher level of thought, humanity over the centuries has deepened its awareness of the omnipotence of God, a point emphasized strongly by both Judaism and Christianity. But Christian Science goes farther by showing us how to experience the omnipotence of God as a demonstrable fact. One term for God in Christian Science is divine Principle, whose omnipotence can be applied to every aspect of human life, including what are termed natural forces. It is the human thought about forces that must change. God as omnipotent Principle actually originates the only forces that exist, and they are always benevolent and spiritual.

This profound truth is slowly but surely penetrating and changing world thought. The results of a more enlightened view of natural forces can be seen outwardly in today's active studies of such phenomena as weather, climate, and earthquakes. Progress can also be seen in the changing methods by which this research is being carried out, notably the shift from narrowly focused, compartmentalized investigations to a broader, more comprehensive approach. One example is the growing use of artificial satellites to give a global view of weather patterns. Another is in the recent unmanned missions to Mars, Venus, and Jupiter, with their promise of new insights into how planetary atmospheres work in general.

Such developments mark a change of viewpoint—from earthbound to cosmic. Yet this is a mere prelude to an even greater change of viewpoint that must come—an inward change of thought. In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy states: "Spirit is the life, substance, and continuity of all things. We tread on forces. Withdraw them, and creation must collapse. Human knowledge calls them forces of matter; but divine Science declares that they belong wholly to divine Mind, are inherent in this Mind, and so restores them to their rightful home and classification." ^{Science and Health, p. 124;}

Rightly viewed, then, the only real forces are those originated and controlled by God. And they are mental and spiritual—not material, because God is Spirit. Thus we gain a view of God governing man and the universe in perfect harmony, in which spiritual forces embody the divine will and therefore act as divine law. And since God is Love, this picture cannot possibly include any destructive elements.

At first sight, this conclusion does seem at odds with events. Severe winter storms, floods, and earthquakes are often prominent features of the news. How can one reconcile all this destruction with the concept of a universe governed by God?

To answer this question we must begin from the right standpoint. God's government of man and the universe is a spiritual fact. And violence and destruction have no part in it. But to accept a material view of the universe is to accept the counterfeit of God's government—to accept the notion of natural forces as material, hence cruel, unpredictable, destructive. All too often the human experience reflects this acceptance of the counterfeit as real. Now suppose we turn the thing around. Suppose we stick with the spiritual fact that divine Mind governs both us and the universe. Where does that put natural forces? Why, under the control of Mind, in "their rightful home and classification," to use Mrs. Eddy's phrase. Now, this represents a change of viewpoint, in individual thought, from the mortal, material view to the spiritual view. And the spiritual view brings healing and harmony to any chaotic situation.

Christ Jesus demonstrated this rule when he stilled a storm on the Sea of Galilee. ^{See Mark 4:35–41;} Jesus was so certain of spiritual existence and its uninterrupted concord that he was able to sleep right through the storm until wakened by his disciples. Then, with the words "Peace, be still" he rebuked fearful, false belief, expressed in a counterfeit picture of rampaging material forces. The "great calm" that ensued was surely direct evidence of the superiority of the viewpoint that Jesus had maintained all along.

But what about forces unleashed by the hand of man, such as terrorist attacks, fire, bomb blasts, shellings? Can the same healing truths be applied? Indeed they can, as was demonstrated innumerable times during World War II, when many major cities were being heavily bombed. I was a schoolboy in the London area at the time, and I recall how people prayed and were safe as bombs fell all around them. I remember, too, many testimonies that told how people who trusted in the power of divine Principle as taught in Christian Science were protected from harm. They included instances of people being rescued unhurt from apartment buildings that had been reduced to rubble.

I was deeply impressed by this strong evidence of divine protection, so much so that I actually included a brief account of it in an essay I had to write for an English composition class.

I soon discovered, however, that my views did not sit well with the English master. My essay came back with a penciled note in the margin expressing skepticism about "divine protection" and asking why a select few should be saved while thousands less fortunate were being killed or injured. I had no ready answer at the time, especially as my critic was a senior master and a noted scholar.

If I could remedy that missed opportunity today, I would say something like this: God's protection does include all mankind. This spiritual fact must be understood, or perceived with our inherent spiritual sense, if we are to see it expressed in the human experience. And many can testify to the availability as well as the immediacy of divine protection. But sometimes material evidence of death and destruction, with its accompanying fear, panic, and shock, would seem to obscure this saving truth and substitute a dismal picture of tragedy and loss.

Yet the fact remains that the truth of being is true for all mankind, whether they know it or not. This means that we can bring a degree of healing and relief to any claim of disaster, natural or man-made, wherever it has occurred. For example, we can refuse to accept the false view of man as mortal and as subject to destructive physical forces—to accident, flood, famine, terrorism. Instead, we can affirm Mind's intelligent control of the universe. We can see those involved in a disaster as really spiritual, immortal ideas, sustained and protected by the forces of Mind. And these forces can include no destructive or afflictive element. The book of Job has this to say about God and His government of the universe: "He is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict." ^{Job 37:23;}

Let us now apply this train of reasoning to some of the forces harnessed in modern technology. Take, for example, what are considered the strongest natural forces of all—the nuclear forces that underpin atomic structure. The use of nuclear energy for generating electricity is surrounded by controversy. A recent accident at a nuclear power plant in the United States has heightened this controversy, adding much heat to the already emotional debate between proponents and opponents of nuclear power. Conflicting arguments—citing on the one hand the "energy crisis" and on the other hand fears of more nuclear accidents, as well as problems with radioactive waste and environmental damage—have led toward tense confrontations rather than a reasoned analysis of the problem.

But the real trouble with this debate is that it's all based on a misstatement of existence. This is the assertion that the binding forces of the universe are material and that they are outside the control of divine intelligence. Are these the forces we tread on?

In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes, "Adhesion, cohesion, and attraction are properties of Mind." ^{Science and Health, p. 124;} Now, adhesion, cohesion, and attraction are all attributes to which nuclear forces point. Yet the passage just quoted makes it clear that they belong to divine Mind, God. And this insight can lead thought along lines that will solve the various related problems. For in fact the whole nuclear power controversy is a sign of mankind's search for wisdom, wisdom that transcends mere factual knowledge, wisdom to understand these formidable forces in the right way and then to handle them effectively.

Mrs. Eddy, in her article entitled "Science and Philosophy," thus characterizes Christian Science: "It is not a search after wisdom, it is wisdom: it is God's right hand grasping the universe,—all time, space, immortality, thought, extension, cause, and effect; constituting and governing all identity, individuality, law, and power." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 364.} How reassuring it is to begin to understand this statement. On this sure basis we can let go of human will, doubt, and fear. We can affirm that Mind's forces are indeed the only forces that really exist. We can know, too, that regardless of the shifting tides of human opinions, divine wisdom must inevitably prevail.