The Fight-or-Flight response is our body and mind’s physiological response to a perceived or real threat to our safety or survival. And it’s REAL! Consider this…
You are snorkeling above a majestic coral platform, suspended in the safe confines of a cozy cove in the Caribbean’s shimmering cobalt ink. The coral attracts you like a magnet and, in an instant, one of its knife-like fingers awakens a surprised femur by exposing it with one quick rip of flesh.
The gaping gash produces a crimson gusher that alerts every shark lucky enough to be in the area. Before 60 seconds tick off your watch, a trio of predators say hello.
Our Fight-or-Flight response is simple—it’s a race to our boat rocking softly in the gentle breeze fifty feet away.
A Fight-or-Flight scenario like that is easy to figure out. But what about a Christian’s daily confrontations with FEAR and TEMPTATION? Fight-or-Flight? What’s is gonna be in that case?
The flight is the fight!
Followers of Christ flee from sin and temptation by running to him. It is not a retreat from the war we are waging with the darkness. Our flight from sin is all about regrouping—developing a fight plan, gathering ammo, and mustering strength for the battle.
“Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil’s evil tricks.” Ephesians 6:11
Our instincts often tell us to flee while God instructs us to fight. Similarly, there are occasions where God instructs us to flee and our natural response is to fight.
But in every case, the first move is fighting back by running into the open arms of our amazing Lord.
I ask God to help me process threats quickly by going to him first for perspective and direction.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
What is your Fight-or-Flight response to FEAR and TEMPTATION?
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12
