Ha ha ha!
The gradient of the potential energy is a force: $$\vec F = -\frac{\partial U}{\partial x}$$.
You brought up an interesting point. Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object has by virtue of being in a gravitational field.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/gpot.html
http://physics.info/gravitation-energy/
The aether medium, which I maintain really does exist, balances the +E energy content of the planet/star/blackhole with the -E or negative potential energy of gravity. It's about energy conservation. Between the energy content of a planet/star/etc and the negative energy of its gravity field, together, they would add to zero if they were the same thing. But curvature of space-time can never annihilate with the energy that causes it, because the two are not compatible for the annihilation process.