The Way Fear Impacts Survival

Potent emotions in charged conditions bring about visceral reactions that aren't planned or calculated. The emotions take over and prevent the individual from responding intellectually. This is true whether you're dealing with a child excited over a long-desired gift, a young lady surprised by a marriage proposal, an individual enjoying a victory, or anyone who finds himself looking for rescue.


Any successful teacher can tell you that an emotional student is a student that is no longer learning. A person in emotional distress is not able to use logic to dictate their actions. If a person is dancing in joy, or wailing in dismay, uncontrolled emotions make it impossible for that particular person to respond in a calculated, rational way.

I've recently watched footage of people who had their cars and trucks towed to an impound lot. Each owner has to work his way through the requirements for paperwork and fines before taking possession of his vehicle. The circumstances are varied, but another thing is common: these individuals are under stress.

For those people who are able to calm themselves, putting away thoughts of victimization and anger, the final results are pretty straightforward. These individuals learn what documents are required and by whom, meet the requirements and then reclaim their automobile.

For anyone not able to calm themselves, the process gets to be more cumbersome and prolonged. They direct their irritation at the employees in the office. Raised voices, angry gestures and body language go back and forth as the staff person attempts to tell the owner what is necessary to retrieve the vehicle. Often, the individual only hears one or two recommendations before emotionally closing down. They leave and return many times as they acquire 1 or 2 of the documents that they need each time. The worker begins to react to the elevated stress level by becoming upset also. This leads to slips and overlooked information on the worker's part.

Fear impairs mental performance in the form of confusion, forgetfulness, and the lack of ability to focus. While in this condition, an individual can be numbed by shock, begin to freak out, or even lash out in rage. When lives depend upon quick action, this could be fatal. It can be necessary to leave him behind in the interest of the group's wellbeing.

I've found that the most strategies for survival safety give attention to two concepts: faith and preparedness. Of these, the most important is faith. Why would I state this? I say this because no matter what you know, or how prepared you are, it is what you believe that will determine how well you are able to apply those things. A man or woman of faith won't waste as much time second-guessing and railing against the situations.

Faith is the complete opposite of fear. Faith directs us towards life. Faith is a reminder to us of the One we trust, upon Whom we rely. Faith informs us that we are not alone.

At the point you are able to calm yourself, your preparedness training will take over. The time invested learning to make decisions on the fly, think on your feet and manage various scenarios and terrains will serve you well at this point. However, if you're incapable of reigning in your emotions, all of that preparation may very well do you no service.

I recently found a report of an interview of survivors of the 2004 Indonesian tsunami. The reporter mentioned that it occurred to her that everybody sitting in that room lived because they ran to higher ground. Those who didn't move instantly perished. This account reminded me of Mark 13:15,16 which reads, "And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment."

Fear made use of properly can be a lifesaver. However, when served as a master, fear can kill. Understand truth. Build your faith and prepare yourself. Whenever conditions appear to be desperate, these measures will prepare you to react.

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