Survival Mindset
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Sm— Mindset for Wilderness Survival (Part 3)
Proverbs 4:20-23; Luke 22:14-20
Why do people die in disasters?
Many people Panic and freeze—cognitive paralysis.
Panicking on the battlefield has led to epic defeats.
Panicking during an athletic competition has caused individuals to perform badly.
Freaking out will not give you any control over a bad situation, but it will sabotage your ability to handle it.
Anxiety will not empty your cup of its stress and sorrows, but anxiety will drain your tank of its strength.
“You don’t have to control your thoughts; you just have to stop letting them control you.”
—Dan Millman
Luke 12:25-31 NIV
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that,
what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
Don’t panic. Watch others panic. It’s more entertaining.
Your mindset is very important for wilderness survival.
Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, admonished (Proverb 4:23)
Keep, Guard, Protect, and Conceal (hide, shelter, incarcerate) your heart for out of it flow the springs of life.
The Heart is the seat of the mind (intellect), will, and affections.
Think of the Heart as the Command Center of the Soul
Heart = Mind
Your Mindset is Essential to Wilderness Survival, from start to finish.
The Hebrew word here is Natsar
1. To guard and protect from dangers
We must Guard and Protect our Hearts from The Devil’s Devices
A. Disappointment
B. Discouragement
C. Despair
D. Doubt / Disbelief
E. Distraction—Satan uses Distractions to Deceive
F. Defilement (Dullness to the Word of God and the Voice of the Holy Spirit)
G. Disobedience which results in Deadness
2. To Keep and Preserve
“Do this in memory of me.” Luke 22:19
Holy Communion Keeps and Preserves the Mindset of Christ—The Ultimate Survival Mindset
· We are not alone. Communion reminds us that God is here, right here, right now. He is with us. Problems arise when we are not mindful of Christ’s presence.
· We are sons and daughters of the Father
· The Father will not abandon us.
· The Father makes provisions for our salvation and for our sustenance
o Sacraments of Communion: the food and drink are a source of strength; nourishment, and the maintenance of our life in Christ through His Spirit.
3. To Keep Secret, to be kept close, be blockaded [avoid exposing]
The same letters in the word Silent = Listen
Wise individuals know when to be silent.
Being silent at the right time can save your job, your marriage, and your life…
The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Proverbs 17:28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
5. Proverbs 29:11 A fool lets fly with all his temper, but a wise person keeps it back.
Proverbs 21:23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
David prayed in Psalm 141:3,
O LORD, set a guard at my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Being silent allows us to channel our energies—the springs of life.
Being silent provides us a moment of clarity we need to calmly face challenges and uncertainty.
Being silent before God each morning calms my mind. It allows me time for collecting my thoughts. It trains my mind.
4. Watch Over—Learn How to Control your Mind (Romans 12:1-2)
Learn How to Visualize. We are adaptive creatures.
a. Jesus visualized both His suffering and His resurrection
b. We must see ourselves as surviving come what may.
Communion reminds us that violent people and violent circumstances expire.
I am reminded of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s eulogy of her late majesty, Queen Elizabeth:
People of loving service are rare in any walk of life.
Leaders of loving service are still rarer. But, in all cases, those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privileges are long forgotten.
I remember my Grandmother, Nezzie Keys…
She had a mindset of service to family, church, and community which enabled her to be resilient and adapt to a racist Mississippi that was controlling and brutally violent towards people of African descent.
I think of her great-grandson, Ben Whalen
When I think about the length I’m willing to go to for my business, I think about the distance I went when I worked for someone else’s. In Chicago; if the public transit system was not rendered inoperable, we were expected to be in the AT&T device support center and on time. My vehicle broke down the first winter in Chicago, I sold it to a junkyard and bought this bike (it was my first time on a bike since childhood). And this winter is really where the work ethic was forged. I show up. I give my best when I’m there. Then I clock out, brush off my snowy bike saddle, and begin the 5+ mile trek home so that I could get myself prepared for the next day. Every day is an opportunity to build character, regardless of your circumstances.
Holy Communion offers us a Mindset of Resilience.
Paul called for an end to this practice immediately,
“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves.” 1 Corinthians 11:27-29.
Paul insisted upon the proper mindset for Communion.
What the Devil does not want you to know:
· This Too Shall Pass. Every Storm an Expiry…Patience, Patience, My Dear.
· No testing comes without an exit door—a way of escape.
· Satan is a toothless lion.
· God is with you always.
· The Overcomer’s Toolbox (the Word of God, the Blood of the Lamb, the agency of the Holy Spirit, the word of our Testimony, and the Promises of God).
Take a Deep Breath and Exhale Slowly. Make your exhales longer than your inhales.
“Almost everything will work again if you unplugit for a few minutes, including you.” (Anne Lamott)
Shalom.