Fear is something we’ve all felt—whether it’s nervousness before a job interview, anxiety about a health concern, or even just that vague unease about the future. What if fear isn’t something we have to manage, but something we can actually overcome?
Christian Science teaches that fear isn’t a power—it’s a misconception. It comes from misunderstanding who we truly are and what governs our lives. When we gain spiritual understanding—when we begin to see ourselves and the world through God’s eyes—fear loses its grip. That’s because fear thrives in darkness, but spiritual understanding shines a light.
The Bible offers a clear promise: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear” (I John 4:18). That “perfect love” is God’s love for us, and when we start to really feel and trust that love, fear starts to melt away. It’s like turning on the light in a dark room—suddenly, what seemed scary disappears.
Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, wrote: “When fear disappears, the foundation of disease is gone.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 368). That’s a powerful statement. It tells us that fear isn’t just unpleasant—it can actually underlie many of the problems we face. But it also gives us hope: we can uproot fear through spiritual understanding.
One inspiring example comes from a testimony titled “Fear Overcome” by Grace P. Tarbel, published in the Christian Science Sentinel. In this account, Tarbel describes how she overcame a sudden sense of fear when a family member was injured. She writes:
“…a great sense of fear possessed me; but like a flash of light there came to my consciousness the thought that though mortal sense could do nothing, God was there, and that with Him all things were possible. At once all fear vanished, and I felt that my prayer was answered.”
—Grace P. Tarbel, “Fear Overcome,” Christian Science Sentinel, December 12, 1914. Read the full article
This experience highlights how turning to God and recognizing His ever-present power can instantly dispel fear, leading to healing and peace.
It’s not about ignoring problems or pretending everything is fine. It’s about facing challenges from a different standpoint—a spiritual one. When we understand that God is infinite Love and that we are never separated from that Love, fear is powerless.
Mary Baker Eddy also wrote, “The transmission of disease or of certain idiosyncrasies of mortal mind would be impossible if this great fact of being were learned,— namely, that nothing inharmonious can enter being, for Life is God” (Science and Health, p. 228). That means we’re not fighting fear alone—we’re living in the presence of a divine Love that’s bigger than anything we’re afraid of.
So next time fear comes knocking, don’t try to push it down or hide from it. Pause. Turn to God. Let spiritual truth—your unshakable connection to divine Love—cast out the fear. The more you practice this, the more you’ll find that peace, not panic, is your natural state.
