Fight or Flight

Depending upon the circumstances and conditions of any situation, when the body’s endorphins kick in and the adrenalin starts pumping, an individual will engage or disengage with respect to involvement.  It’s called, fight or flight.

I cannot say what I would do at any given point in life.  I only pray that wisdom and experience would be my guide regarding personal participation in all matters.  But until I’m put in that situation, God only knows what the outcome will be.

A person can verbalize what they think they would do and what their actions would entail, but no-one knows for sure what they’ll do until they are in the heat of the moment.  I would like to think I could do the honorable thing when put in a tough spot.

Adrenalin affects people in different ways.  Some see red or black when steroid hormones pump through their veins and they become combative; striking without thought of consequences—reaction without consideration.

When the heart finds its way in the throat of passive personalities, becoming radical or just excited, they proceed to talk a good fight or turn and walk away; sometimes running in the opposite direction.  They take flight, because of reasons the mind took note of and acted upon—self preservation.

Whatever personality we have or whatever personality we become in times of stress, is not always our temperament 100% of the time.  Situations change a person’s personality.

I am striving to be more like Jesus at a higher percentage rate than ever before.  I cannot tell you how my spiritual man will react to certain conditions tomorrow or the next day, but I can strive to be the best Christian I can be at this moment in time; with God’s help.

When we worry about our reaction level of how we might respond when someone is pushing our buttons, or when questions bombard our mind regarding our loyalty to God, we can lose the joy of today’s experience with Him.  The key is to take one day at a time and trust that God will enlighten us how to handle each situation as it occurs.

Sometimes we fight the good fight of faith, while other times we are moved to kick the dust from our shoes and continue on our way.  We cannot know how God will lead until that moment happens.

The other night I was discussing, with my wife, certain matters concerning the awesome dedication the Disciples of Christ had and their willingness to stand firm in the midst of storm, even unto death.  “How could they go through such incredible pain and suffering for the cause of Christ?” I ask.  I question whether or not I could do likewise if I were put on trial for my faith and condemned to death if I didn’t renounce my God.  Could I do as the disciples did?  These questions bothered me until I realized that the disciples, though mortal men, did not stand in their own strength, but in the power of Almighty God, through the Holy Spirit.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did not bow to the king.  They stood for righteousness, not in their own strength, but the power of God.  When they were thrown into the furnace that was heated seven times hotter than ever before, their faith in God did not waiver.  God delivered them without even the smell of smoke on their clothing.

A time may come that I must face the question, “What are you going to do; reject Jesus or die?”  At that moment I will know my response.  I cannot worry about it now.  I believe if I have enough of God in me to raise me from the dead when He calls me home, there will be enough of God’s strength to face whatever comes my way.

I heard someone say, “If I were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me?”  This is a sobering question.  With whom does our allegiance lie?  We need to shake ourselves and become entrenched in our faith like the disciples were.  They did not take flight by denouncing their faith, but stood and fought the good fight of faith.

(Romans 8:1) “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

(II Timothy 4:8) “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

My prayer is this… “God, help me to stand firm in my convictions to follow you no matter what the world may say or do.  Give me the strength to overcome the temptation of complacency.  Help me engage the enemy of my soul with the power and stamina of the Holy Spirit.  Give me victory over every rival and spirit of anti-Christ that buffet me.  Help me to fight the good fight of faith as I embrace the righteousness of your dear son, Jesus.  May His blood cover me and keep me through every trial and tribulation I face.  Amen”

Written by,

Papa Boyd