Article September 25, 2006 Issue

NO REASON FOR FEAR IN SEVERE WEATHER

BY MARTHA NIGGEMAN

Originally appeared on spirituality.com

When I was in grammar school, Hurricane Hazel came up the coast of North Carolina and headed inland at roaring speed. Since this unexpected turn was a surprise to school officials, we were let out of school after the high hurricane winds had already started. I was walking to meet my mother when the wind knocked me down on the pavement and rolled me over and over like a tumbleweed.

At that moment, I turned to God for help. I had learned in the Christian Science Sunday School that God is always with us and that prayer to God makes a big difference. God brings protection no matter what trouble we're in. As I was rolling over and over with the force of the wind, I remembered an idea we had discussed in Sunday School: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10). As I thought this, I felt very calm and close to God. I was able to get up, between the tremendous gusts of wind, and make it to the meeting point to wait for my mother.

When she arrived, she said that she had been dodging trees that were falling on the road as she drove to get me. She had been praying, knowing God's protection is always present, and she experienced safety. It was the first time I understood that God is not in destruction. We are protected from harm and destruction by God.

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