We had never experienced anything like the storms that hit Farragut, Tennessee about a month ago. There was one announcement after another from the weatherman to "take cover now!" Tornado warnings kept rolling along, hour after hour, far into the night. One particularly bad barrage of hail came through, but a really bad one was to follow. Golf ball size hail rained down on us, with baseball size hail being reported just down the road.
At a time like this, when all one can do is get in a basement (if one has a basement) and get through the night, was I grateful for what I've learned in Christian Science. And that is to pray, pray, pray--know that no matter how frightening things look, God is always in control. I was affirming that we can never be in a place or a situation where God is not watching over and caring for us. I thought of this verse from the book of Jeremiah: "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord" (23:24).
The next morning presented an almost unbelievable sight. But no neighbors were injured or killed, no houses made uninhabitable. Some windows broken down the street, and most roofs damaged. But as one friend said, "My loved ones are safe, and we have shelter. What more do we need?"
At one point, another Bible verse came to thought and gave me much comfort. It's where Paul powerfully states: "I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38, 39)
I reasoned,"Well, if all that can't separate man from his Maker, then fierce storms certainly can't." Of course,we can't be blase about potentially destructive forces, Still, there is no more reliable help than God. There is actually no other power. And realizing this, is a wonderful companion when we're going through a situation like we experienced.
As the man of God's creating, each of us is governed by God, the divine Mind, the only real source of power and activity. Mary Baker Eddy points out in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (page 387): The history of Christianity furnishes sublime proofs of the supporting influence and protecting power bestowed on man by His heavenly Father, omnipotent Mind, who gives man faith and understanding whereby to defend himself, not only from temptation, but from bodily suffering."
When anyone realizes God's all-power and everpresence with the conviction that comes of spiritual understanding, he or she can come through dangerous storms without fear or harm, with calmness and confidence that God is always in control.
