God Is Holding You Up

Bringing a spiritual perspective to world events and daily life.

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, God is holding you up. His arms are around you. The Bible puts it this way: "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27). There is no circumstance, no situation, where God is not supporting you. The Science behind the works of Christ Jesus, which is called Christian Science, can help you to understand this.

A friend of mine found himself in a potentially dangerous situation at the beach in Rio de Janeiro. In his eagerness to go for a long-anticipated swim, he did not notice the signs warning of dangerous conditions. A strong swimmer, he headed out to sea, only to find himself being dragged along by fast- moving currents. Trying to swim against the currents proved futile, and he soon became exhausted.

Realizing the danger of the situation, he reached out to God, asking for help. At once a message came to him to stop struggling. Obeying this message, my friend did stop struggling. He continued to listen for God's voice. Then he found himself thinking back to his first swimming lessons; how, as a child, he had been taught to float before he had been taught to swim. This was the answer to his prayer. He no longer struggled but floated in the water. The current took him right along to the end of the bay and deposited him safely on the headland. From there he was able to get back to town.

God never causes us to be afraid, much less to panic. God's hand is upon each and every one of us, His children, leading us always in paths of safety and out of danger. But what of the negative influences coming so often in forms of disease and danger, which are the causes of fright? Well, we don't have to believe a lie. And these are lies, because they claim that there is a place for something bad in God's creation. Even though they seem very real and impressive, all forms of evil are powerless to harm us. Our defense is with us, because God, divine Love, is with us.

Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered Christian Science, wrote, "Divine Love is our hope, strength, and shield. We have nothing to fear when Love is at the helm of thought, but everything to enjoy on earth and in heaven" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 113). Note that that statement said that Love should be "at the helm" of thought. When we turn to God for our thoughts, we will be given answers. Part of the answer will be our ability to feel a sense of calm and peace, if this is needed, and to trust God. To lean on Him. This feeling of God's love is not a fairy story. Divine Love is truly a very real, tangible presence that destroys fear, heals suffering, and ends disease.

Turning to God for direction and help with all your heart, you will not be forsaken. This is because God has no limits and is infinite. There is only so much that human help can do for us, whereas there is no limit to God's help. Because Christian Science has taught me to turn to God, and to listen for His answers, I have felt His arms around me and seen proof in some very special ways.

Years ago, both my parents passed on suddenly. Dealing with this was my greatest struggle. But I reached to God for help with all my heart. The answer came clearly to me that if I loved my parents, I would not be afraid for them, because God was their Life. I knew I had to be obedient to this direction, as it was God's answer for me.

I did struggle with grief, just as my friend had struggled in the water. But at length I yielded to my loving Father-Mother God and trusted my parents to Him. As soon as I did this, it was as if a great weight had been taken from me. I was free of all grief and suffering immediately, and I have remained so. What has lasted is a remembrance of how close to God I felt. Love was supporting me and holding me up.

It is possible, practical, to be strong. God is holding you up under all circumstances. He will never let you go.

When the waves of death

compassed me . . . he sent

from above, he took me;

he drew me out of many waters.

II Samuel 22:5, 17