National and international politics often arouse intense emotions—especially during election years or times of tension between countries. Deeply held views can sometimes overwhelm people's usual peaceful tendencies. On the international level this sometimes is illustrated by vitriolic exchanges between leaders of nations. A similar phenomenon may occur between candidates for political office and their supporters.

Such high-pitched emotions can lead us to feel we could never support "so-and-so" or that we would give anything to get "him" out or keep "him" out of office. It doesn't take a whole lot of thought to realize that such a charged atmosphere isn't helpful to the leaders or the candidates, especially when they are seeking solutions to difficult challenges.

In an unexpected way, a woman found that she had been harboring such feelings without even realizing it. One day a complete stranger came up to her on the street and smilingly told her he knew the leader of their country would be killed during an international trip he would be taking shortly. The woman had never approved of the leader's political outlook and had frequently criticized him bitterly. Still, she had no desire—she thought—to have him killed and, saying so, tried to avoid the stranger by crossing the street. The man followed her, still speaking of the expected assassination. When she finally got away from him, she was quite shaken by his confidence that it would take place.

As a Christian, she knew the Bible states that one should support those who govern the land. ^{See I Pet. 2:13–15; I Tim. 2:1–3.} She also knew that prayer would be her best first step in deciding if the threat was more than someone's idle speculation and thus to be reported to the authorities.

Much to her amazement, prayer revealed that she had been harboring intense feelings of hatred toward the leader himself, not just his policies. With chagrin she remembered this statement in the essay "Love Your Enemies" by Mrs. Eddy: "Hate no one; for hatred is a plague-spot that spreads its virus and kills at last." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 12; see also Matt. 5:43-48.}

To get rid of these feelings, she reasoned something like this: Since man is God's likeness, she could in truth express only divine goodness and perfection. Hatred is not the nature of a God who is Love. Then it could not be a part of her true being either. She recognized that simply saying this was not sufficient. She had to prove it by rejecting any tendency to hate or even to indulge in criticism based on this emotion. She also had to claim vigorously her ability to express love alone. It wasn't easy, but the urgent need to decide what to do spurred her on.

Gradually she began to see the leader as an individual separate from his policies, not just as a "plastic" public figure to be condemned. She even recognized—for the first time—such qualities in him as intelligence, kindness, and generosity. She realized that she didn't need to accept policies that she felt were wrong. But she did want to obey the command urged by Christ Jesus, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." ^{Matt. 19:19.} This meant she had an obligation to discern man as God's likeness and to look for this reality in herself and others. By seeing that evil is no part of God's man, it's possible that either our own thinking will change and we will begin to see a particular situation or person in a new way, or the situation or person may improve. In each case we are beholding ourselves and others in a light where sin (hateful criticism or wrongdoing, for instance) is less attractive and where acting rightly seems progressively more natural.

As the woman began to overcome the negative feelings about her country's leader, she knew she also had to pray further about the threat to his life. Christian Science teaches that God is divine Principle and that His law, like Him, is omnipresent. Then one cannot be separated from it no matter where one is. God is entirely good, giving only life. He is never the agent of death. Within His infinite being, where man dwells always, no assassin—mental or physical—can exist or penetrate, bringing death and sorrow. Understanding this truth enables one to discern its action on the human scene, adjusting whatever needs correction, whether this means increased security, better laws, or more support for law-enforcement officials—to mention just three possibilities.

Praying along these lines, the woman felt the threat might be more than a crank's words and reported it to the authorities. After doing this, she continued to pray until she felt at peace and was certain the outcome was in God's hands. Not long afterward, the leader's trip was canceled because further events in the country he was to visit had rendered the situation too unstable for his safety to be assured.

Presidents, prime ministers, and other public figures come in for their share of criticism—sometimes justly! But the crucial lesson this woman learned was to avoid condemning erroneously and hating. She said that after this experience, she could never feel hatred or even dislike for this man—though she still strongly disagreed with his policies. Instead, she felt a stronger commitment to look into issues more deeply, to support actions that expressed some quality of Christliness as best as she could perceive it, and to use more actively the proper governmental channels available to citizens wanting to comment on proposed legislation.

The lesson she had learned applies to more than just one particular leader or situation. It can make things more peaceable at the office, at home, or at school. It can help us to see world leaders, including those of "enemy" nations, in a new light. And this commitment to look for Christliness and to be Christly oneself not only smoothes things out on the surface. It brings to light whatever in our own thinking needs correcting, shows how to overcome the error and be healed.