Gale warnings were out, and the wind and rain were beating against the east end of the building in gusts up to 70 miles an hour. One window in particular seemed to be groaning in protest, and the family were afraid that it might blow open.

However, as we were looking at it and wondering what we could do, we suddenly saw that the one-section window pivoted on its vertical axis at the top and bottom and the force of the wind against one half of the window, tending to open it, was balanced by the same wind force on the other half, tending to keep it closed. What a relief! But was this true security?

No. Human reasoning based on matter is like quicksand: it gives us no solid base to rest on but can draw us deeper and deeper into uncertainty, speculation, and fear. In the case of the window, the understanding of the "equal forces" quieted one fear. But suppose the window were to be broken by some object blown against it—what then? A real sense of security came only when our thought was lifted completely above human speculation regarding danger from the storm to dwell on the presence and power of God.

God is supreme; He is All. There is no other power or presence. Christian Science maintains that as God, divine Mind, is the creator of the universe, including man, all He made reflects Him. Therefore all reality is good. For evil or destructive forces to be real, they would have to be made by God, or come from God, or else they would have to constitute another power, a power besides God. But this is impossible, for God, Mind, could not make anything unlike Himself, and He is infinite, without an opposite.

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, "Mind is the grand creator, and there can be no power except that which is derived from Mind. If Mind was first chronologically, is first potentially, and must be first eternally, then give to Mind the glory, honor, dominion, and power everlastingly due its holy name." ^{Science and Health, p. 143;}

Man, being God's reflection, possesses by reflection wisdom and understanding, harmony and dominion. These are qualities of Mind, which include no fear or evil. With them one can gain dominion over fear and the feeling of insecurity. This need not take days, or even hours, but can come immediately as one turns wholeheartedly to God, the one Mind.

This statement of Mrs. Eddy's reinforces this assurance: "The understanding that the Ego is Mind, and that there is but one Mind or intelligence, begins at once to destroy the errors of mortal sense and to supply the truth of immortal sense." The statement continues, "This understanding makes the body harmonious; it makes the nerves, bones, brain, etc., servants, instead of masters." ^{p. 216;}

This was the result in our experience as we overcame fear of the storm. As we realized the power and presence of Mind, nerves and brain at once became servants. Fear and speculation were silenced, nothingized; and even though the storm continued, we were at peace, and experienced no further anxiety or difficulty.

Christ Jesus, as his teachings and healings show, knew the power and presence of God. He demonstrated supply when it was needed, feeding a multitude with a few loaves and fishes. Not fearful of the "unclean," he touched the lepers and healed them. An angry mob did not frighten him, nor did he exhibit any sense of insecurity on the stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee.

Peter's experience with Jesus during a storm on that lake is a helpful lesson in demonstrating true security. When Peter saw Jesus walking over the stormy waves to join the disciples in their tossing boat, he said, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." ^{Matt. 14:28;} Jesus told him to come, and without any problem Peter walked on the water, until he looked away from Jesus to the boisterous wind. Then he was afraid and began to sink. But Jesus caught hold of him and said, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

If we can keep our mental eyes, our thoughts, on the Christ, Truth, we can feel secure, as Peter did at first. But if, like him, we look away to the threats of error, fear takes over and we begin to sink.

Mortal mind wants always to think in the phenomenal, material realm. It has deceived itself into believing that the material is real. Animal magnetism, the mesmerism of material sense, would replace the ideas of Mind with the objects of mortal belief. This breeds insecurity because mortal mind thinking believes that both evil and good are real and fears that evil is even more powerful than good.

When one relies on material sense, he is quickly caught up in the belief of good and evil and the web of insecurity. But the saving Christ is right where evil seems to be—the solution is right at hand. We can look away from matter to God, divine Mind. As we hold our thought on God, we find harmony, peace, security.

Human reasoning from the basis of belief in the reality of matter is always inaccurate. It is inaccurate because matter is unreal. This may seem difficult to accept, for there is often pride in the ability to rationalize from what is called a commonsense basis. In Science and Health is this incisive statement: "For right reasoning there should be but one fact before the thought, namely, spiritual existence." ^{Science and Health, p. 492.}

Conclusions based on appearances, on limited personal impressions, often leave us in doubt, confused and unsatisfied, since in most human reasoning spiritual existence is not considered. Take the much discussed subject of job security, for example. Many find that seeking such security by relying on material statistics is like trying to catch a rainbow in a bucket. Fear may start with the need for a decision on what career to pursue; then may follow such questions as Do I have the proper training? Can I get a job? The feeling of insecurity seldom stops there but continues: Can I perform satisfactorily? Will I receive promotions, pay increases? Will the job last? Will the fringe benefits be adequate?

There is always an added worry, another possible problem, when the question of security is approached through mortal mind reasoning. But God, divine Mind, has the answer and has abundant good for each of His children. And when we turn to our loving Father-Mother God, never doubting, and follow His leading, we can rest assured we will have all we need. We will not be shaken by winds of doubt or sink in waves of fear. We will have true security.