When we find ourselves in situations where we're fearful, what exactly is at work? It's more than the outward situation, really. It is the mistaken thought that God, good, is absent and that evil is in control. In reality, however, God is ever present and all-powerful, the giver of all good, just as the Bible says (see I Chron. 29:11, 12). Neither fear nor evil can be part of His creation.

I learned to recognize the deceptive nature and unreality of fear by studying the experience of Moses and the serpent (see Ex. 4:1-5). Moses tells God that he is afraid to lead the people out of Egypt because no one will believe he is a messenger from God. God tells Moses to throw down his rod. Suddenly, to Moses' perception, the rod becomes a serpent, and Moses runs away. Yet God tells Moses to return and to handle the serpent—to face his fear.

Moses is obedient and does so, and he discovers that the serpent is really the same rod he had thrown down. Moses is then ready to go forth and perform the tasks God has commanded him to do. This experience, which revealed the unreality of evil, becomes something for Moses to rely on.

I had an experience that taught me that no matter how aggressive fear seems to be, we can see right through it by understanding the reality of good and the unreality of evil. Ever since I was a young girl, I had been afraid of snakes. I refused to hike or to swim in rivers; I was even frightened of a picture of a snake! If I ever saw a real snake, I would panic, manifesting all sorts of physical stress.

After studying Christian Science, I knew that I could surely be healed of this fear through prayer, but the fear kept me from confronting the situation. Last summer, however, as I began to undress in the bathroom, a quick movement on the floor caught my eye. Yes, a little snake had found its way in and was cooling itself on the tiles! In a panic I ran outside and jumped into my car. Fortunately, I had a cellular phone, and I was able to ask a Christian Science practitioner for help in prayer.

The practitioner's calmness and immediate prayer quieted my thought, and I was able to drive to a friend's house, return with her, and look for the snake. During this time I continued to pray to know that God was with me, in control of me, of the snake, and of the whole universe—and nothing in that universe could harm anything else, for all of God's creation is good.

I remembered the passage in Science and Health that states: "Understanding the control which Love held over all, Daniel felt safe in the lions' den, and Paul proved the viper to be harmless. All of God's creatures, moving in the harmony of Science, are harmless, useful, indestructible" (p. 514). I realized I was already receiving the benefit of relying on God for strength, for as we drove to my house, my friend remarked, "You're so calm, I can't believe what I'm seeing."

We never found the snake. Perhaps it slipped out the way it came in. I will admit that for the next week I stepped lightly and made sure I didn't stick my hand into dark places without looking first. By studying the story of Moses and the staff, however, I gradually began to understand that I didn't really fear snakes at all; rather, I was allowing a lie, the belief that evil could exist in God's creation, to control my behavior.

I soon was able to participate with my family in hikes and swimming in rivers, free of the old hang-ups about scruffy or grassy vegetation. In fact, I went on vacation to the American Southwest and walked all over the desert areas, enjoying the Native American ruins and cave dwellings without fear of snakes.

My progress has been so rewarding! Just recently my daughter and I were watching television when she suddenly said, "Don't look, Mom." A snake was being shown, and she automatically warned me—as my whole family has done all my life. Yet I continued to watch calmly without turning away. My daughter said, "I can't believe you're looking at that! I can't believe it!"

Even I am in awe of the peace and rationality that I now exhibit after spending decades living in a nightmare of my own making. With God as my guide, I understand now that good is what's real. And like Moses' experience, this healing has been something substantial for me to lean upon. I have learned that I can trust God wholeheartedly for my complete safety and well-being.

JOSHUA

Be strong and of a good courage;
be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:
for the Lord thy God is with
thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:9