I wanted to write about fear. But I wanted to write specifically about fear and its effect on our decision-making skills. I believe the effect fear has on our decisions can’t be underestimated.
There are situations I’ve looked back on in my life where I panicked, or made a decision out of fear. It resulted in me making a worse decision than if I had just sat back and thought about it and made a rational decision.
I think about one situation that was in the news a few years back. It was when the plane landed on the Hudson River in New York. It became known as the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’. For me, it epitomizes the value of remaining calm and not panicking in an emergency situation. Of course, one has to acknowledge the presence of divine intervention in this situation. I watched a documentary on the events taking place up to and during the crash. The Captain, Captain Sullenberger, said, “The physiological reaction I had to this was strong and I had to force myself to use my training and force calm on the situation.” I think that’s an important point. That physical reaction we have to fear can be so strong. We have to fight it, though. A fear response will try to take over when faced with a situation of impending doom. But if we give into the fear, the chances of making calm and rational decisions goes down dramatically.
You think of someone who panics in the water and ends up drowning. Often, it’s because they panic that they ended up drowning. I used to be really afraid of the water. But what I learned through more exposure to the water is that you don’t even have to use that much effort to stay afloat. Usually you can just lay on your back and stay afloat. The great irony is that the more you struggle and fight, the more likely you are to find yourself in trouble. That’s what panic does, it gets in the way of sound decisions. That’s why the standard procedure in about every emergency response is to not panic. The people that write these procedures know the harmful effects of panic.
I think about the situation with the plane on the Hudson and how it could have ended up differently if the Captain had panicked. It could have easily been a catastrophe. But instead, everyone survived. Also of importance was that the crew relied on their training. They had trained for these kinds of scenarios so that when the situation came they knew what to do. When you have the proper knowledge in an emergency it can supersede the fear response that may try to take over. But in these situations it’s important that you remember that your greatest enemy is fear. Your best chance of making a wise decision lies within the space of calm, clear thinking. But it’s comforting to know that we can make wise decisions even in the midst of a daunting situation.
When I talk about having knowledge in an emergency, I’m also talking about having a knowledge of God. Our own earthly knowledge has its limits. But when we know the power of God and His presence, we can face any situation.
AV 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” In speaking of a sound mind, it’s interesting that this verse talks about it. God has given each of the use of a sound mind. Notice, the way that this verse is stated makes it appear as though a spirit of fear is the opposite of a sound mind. And it’s true. The spirit of fear cannot coexist in presence of a sound mind. So, remembering that God has given us a spirit of power, of love, and a sound mind should help to dispel fear when the time comes.
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AV Psalm 23:4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” This popular Psalm paints a picture for us of walking through a valley. It’s a valley of the shadow of death. But notice that it’s just a shadow. Why does it say shadow? Well, a shadow isn’t real. Most of what we fear is imagined. Why is it a shadow? Because any danger we face, we still don’t need to fear it, or its effect in our lives. A true trust in the Lord is one that dispels all fear.
AV Isaiah 41:10: “Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” This is probably my favorite verse on fear. I find it constantly going through my mind. An awareness of the presence of God in our lives brings us to a state of calm and peace. Knowing not only that He is there, but will strengthen us and help us, is where we have true confidence and peace.
AV 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
AV Jeremiah 9:23-24: “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I [am] the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [things] I delight, saith the LORD.”
AV Psalm 23:4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
AV Isaiah 41:10: “Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”