Maintaining Control

 I'm reading a book by a new friend at church named Dean Rush. He was an Air Force pilot as a young man, then an airline executive, entrepreneur, and finally the executive pastor at Community Bible Church in San Antonio.

The book is called Flying Free - Life After Crisis, and I just finished a chapter called "Maintain Control - Manage Chaos". This chapter recounts a great example of maintaining control in a crisis, in this case an engine failure while then 17-year-old Dean was flying to his first pilot certification appointment.

In Paul's letter to the church at Philippi, he wrote:

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.

Philippians 1:27-28

The word alarmed is translated from Greek ptyromenoi which means frightened, the root meaning - "becoming psychologically detached from reality" or "to fly off into unrealistic, irrational behavior".

Being frightened and alarmed is the exact opposite of psychologically maintaining control. Whether preparing for flight, preparing for battle, or just preparing to speak before a hostile audience, the key to maintaining control always begins with preparation. I recently heard some military men recounting their experiences in battle, and how their military training created instinctive reactions that got them through the fog of war.

Our preparation as Christians begins by relinquishing control of our lives to the Almighty Creator. That step of faith opens the door for the Holy Spirit to establish His presence in our hearts and minds.

Next we must hear the word of the Lord by reading and listening to godly instruction from the Bible. 

Finally we should begin each day preparing for spiritual battle by putting on the full armor of God. That means living in truth, dressing in the righteousness of Christ, training in the good news of peace, holding fast to faith, relying on our Savior Jesus who intercedes for us, and boldly speaking the word of God.

When we are prepared and able to maintain control in the midst of battle, our opponents will see that the battle is in the Lord's hand, and in any situation the outcome will be victory for the kingdom of God. Paul gave this admonition to the Philippians even as he was suffering and facing death in a Roman prison. Even in death there is victory when we stand firm in faith and fellowship. Indeed that is the ultimate victory, to demonstrate God's righteousness in the midst of tribulation.

I am enjoying reading this book and find great encouragement in its pages. Lessons learned in life are the best lessons to share with others. I hope you find encouragement here as well!