by Cowboy Bob Sorensen
This article is a departure from the usual material, and it has some practical information for your own physical protection. The first part is for Christians and second part can be helpful to pretty much anyone. Professing Christians can be shamefully selfish, excessively "nice" because of emotions, or somewhere in between.
Yes, we are to do good to other people and be a blessing in their lives. Our Creator gave us minds and expects us to use them, and this is helpful when we are being manipulated into doing good deeds.
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| Parking lot, Unsplash / Vitor Paladini |
Instead, we need to focus on growing in the grace and truth of the Lord (2 Peter 3:18) and living our lives in keeping with his Word. Good deeds will naturally be a part of it all.
A guy that I know has always struck me as creepy, but I still have to treat him with basic human dignity and respect because he is an image-bearer of God. But he lies. A lot. The other day he hit me up for a loan of — well, it was much more than $20. Ain't no way. I want to help people in need, but my experiences with him and also learning from other people tells me that it would never stop. The expression, "Trust your gut" or "Trust your instincts" is true.
"But Cowboy Bob! The Bible says the heart is deceitful, sick, and wicked!"
Yes, but context is key. Such verses refer to people thinking they are okay with God without having salvation through Jesus Christ. Indeed, I believe that trusting one's instinct is the subconscious working on things seen and heard that did not consciously register. Experiences and learning may be at work in it. Also, I believe the Holy Spirit works through this. Ever had an experience where you inexplicably felt a strong urge to avoid someone or a place? I have. God may have been protecting us at those times.
A term that is a mite overused but still true is situational awareness. It has many applications, but is especially useful in personal safety. Essentially, be aware of what is going on around you. Self-defense experts will tell you that the most effective technique is to avoid potential conflicts. Does someone look harmful? Don't say anything or do a long stare. If that person or the area trigger your inner warning system, you can turn the car around and go somewhere else. If walking, have a sudden interest in something in another direction. Pride has no part in these things.
Be aware of a barrier (such as a car, table, counter, whatever) that you can keep between you and them.
Suppose you are carrying your purchases in a parking lot (car park) heading to your vehicle. You notice someone looking at you and heading your way. Are you going to be super nice and think, "This may be someone in need. I must help and please God." Not hardly! Beam a prayer and assess the situation, and walk away if needed.
While a dangerous situation is more likely to happen in an uncrowded parking lot (or a concrete bunker parking garage), it can happen in the daytime. You need to be alert before someone sketchy gets too close like in the above "what if."
Just recently, my job required me to deal with someone I had never seen before. That happens frequently, but this was different. My inner alarm bells went off. I did not get very close, certainly not within range for him to grab or strike me. Nobody could be offended at this. He was a bit belligerent, and I was glad the encounter was brief.
How about if you notice someone eyeballing you in a parking area and you feel unsafe? A simple technique described in a video below is to pretend you forgot something, or got a message on your phone. Pat your pockets or check the phone, look a bit annoyed, and turn around the way you came. No challenges or insults in it, and you stay safe. Never mind the idea that you may need to do something nice. The Lord will bring opportunities. Trust him, and definitely do not fall into condemnation from yourself or others because you're trying to stay alive.
This is my second birthday after the loss of my beloved wife. We did not live as long as we did by ignoring warning signals and getting into danger. Also, keep in mind that the Christmas shopping season is ramping up. That means crowds and parking lots... Speaking of inner urges, I cannot rationally explain why I feel compelled to focus on this aspect of personal defense. I hope my readers (especially the women in my life) will pay attention to the videos. I'd be much obliged if you'd take what you need from them.