Calm in emergencies

We can be calm in an emergency. God is always with us, and we can be aware enough of that holy fact to be still and be led to take wise action. No one has to be frantic with fear or numb with shock.

When Christ Jesus was confronted with a father whose son was suffering from what was apparently an epileptic attack, the Master was calm. He spoke encouragingly to the father and then he healed the boy. n1 ''Before they call, I will answer,'' n2 it is promised in the Bible, and Jesus proved the promise true on this occasion as well as on many others.

n1 See Mark 9:17-27.

n2 Isaiah 65:24.

What enabled Jesus to be so calm? It was God Himself. God's healing power is as present and powerful now to quiet and guide us as it was when the Biblical prophets glimpsed it and when Christ Jesus so fully understood and demonstrated it. When we are meek and receptive, we feel God's presence even in emergencies, and that awareness makes us calm. It empowers us to think clearly and wisely. It enables us to discern what we and others most need in every situation, emergency or not - spiritual truth. The truth is that the man God makes is His likeness, forever spiritual and perfect. Despite what appears so vivid to the physical senses, man is actually the idea of God, held in the one divine Mind where all is well - and we can prove something of this truth even under the most challenging circumstances.

Not only is God with man, but man is always with God. They are inseparable as Mind and idea, cause and effect. In reality, in absolute truth, man never is in danger, never fears danger, and never suffers the effects of danger, such as agitated excitement or confusion. Man is held in the bosom of divine Love as its precious child. God is good, and He causes all that He makes to be harmonious. The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, writes: ''You say that accidents, injuries, and disease kill man, but this is not true. The life of man is Mind.''n3

n3 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 402.

As we listen to spiritual ideas such as these, they inspire us with love for God and man, with a Christly love filled with the conviction that all is truly well because God is All and man is His likeness. To some degree we become aware of God's perfect creation right here, though it's not apparent to a limited, materialistic view of things. Through spiritual sense we discern the reality of divine truth, transcending and overruling discordant material appearances. So great is the love of God that it is always enough to dissolve fear and instill the calm and wisdom that are needed to handle any emergency rightly. The Bible assures us: ''The Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.'' n4

n4 Deuteronomy 31:8.

Even if we are alone, God is always there as a quieting and saving power. He is more present than the air we breathe, more effective than the newest technology, gentler than the kindest human mother. God is ever-present divine Love, and anyone who turns to God in sincere and humble prayer for His unerring help will be helped. Mrs. Eddy writes, ''Never ask for to-morrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment.'' n5

n5 Miscellaneous Writings, p. 307.

Last winter when I was pitching logs up to the backdoor, a big one slipped and smashed a knee with full momentum. The family didn't hear my calls, but as I lay in the snow I turned to God in earnest prayer, declaring over and over out loud that God is all good and man is His perfect idea. Soon a sense of calm came , and with it the inspiration that I was really the cared-for child of God, not an injured mortal. The throbbing left, and the knee soon functioned normally. It felt better and better as I finished the job, still praying - and singing in gratitude for God's healing power and presence. That evening I played tennis freely.

There are many in this troubled world who long to feel the spiritual healing calm and enfolding comfort that come from God alone and are always present. Through His gentle grace and through humble prayer, we all can feel and know His presence. DAILY BIBLE VERSE The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27