Now What?
Laura Longville
Have you ever had one of those moments when you think, “Oh crap, I don’t know what to say or do”? You recognize this instant as something big, significant, and meaningful. Yet, you are at a loss for words.
I experienced these thoughts and feelings recently as I watched the movie, No Escape. In the movie, a family is trapped in a foreign country bursting with political upheaval. The rebels were killing people who appeared to be foreigners. The whole movie revolved around the parent’s (Jack and Annie) sole promise to get their family out of the country alive.
No Escape was inflamed with 94 realistic, breath-taking minutes of suspense. At one point in the movie, Jack didn’t know what to do, and he began to fall apart. His family was in grave danger, and all their protection and reinforcements were dead. He was having a “This is BAD” moment.
Truthfully, as I watched scene after scene, I held my breath and felt panic, like I was actually experiencing what was happening. I had to remember to breathe!
A quick thought ran through my head, “What would I do if I were in this situation? What if my husband, children, and I were overcome with fear and in imminent danger like this?” I knew my instincts would kick in but unsure of what I would do.
Jack is panic-stricken, frozen in fear, and turns to Annie because he doesn’t know what to do. There is a gap of about three nanoseconds between Jack’s fear and Annie’s response. This was the most vital nanosecond pause in the movie, and it felt like it went on forever!
As Annie looks into Jack’s eyes, she thought (I made this up), “Oh S***, he doesn’t know what to do? He’s falling apart, and we’ve got to do something!” In her short pause, she found the answer. I’m not sure what she did in the brief silence, but it got me thinking about what I would do.
I thought, “This is a life or death decision. If he doesn’t make the right choice, they’ll all die. A pause or quick assessment could be the deal breaker. In real life, jumping in and doing something may not always be the wisest thing to do.”
A pause, gap, break, hiatus, rest, or hesitation can be life-changing. Sometimes those moments are a little longer than others depending upon the situation and circumstances.
Jack turned to Annie for support, guidance, and encouragement. Annie was tuned in, and her survival skills kicked into high gear. She knew exactly what Jack needed to hear.
While this was just a movie (which I am thankful for), I learned a lot. A pause is necessary whether I am in a situation where I need to respond quickly or take time to decide.
Like Jack and Annie, I clearly know what to do when I am paying attention. Typically, options include:
Pause- The length of the pause is dependent on the situation. The pause can give direction and clarity. The Lord often encourages us in his word to “be still”. It’s in the calm we find answers. (Psalm 37:7, 46:10)
Pray-In the pause, I’ve found the Lord will offer an answer when I ask for help. (Jeremiah 29:12, Jeremiah 6:16) In addition, I need to be willing to let go of my agenda and listen for guidance.
Seek advice from a trusted support system. A reliable pool of people to call on and seek advice is essential for healthy living.
Oftentimes, it is helpful to use all three options. While most of us don’t live in life-threatening circumstances like Jack and Annie, we can be ready for day-to-day living and stressful times ahead.
Next time you have an “Oh crap, I don’t know what to do moment,” you will know what to do.
Daily Life Practice
“A simple way to connect with
God in the middle of your day”
Practicing a pause in your ordinary life can train your brain and body to rest, recoup and respond with the next right thing. It could look like this throughout your day:
Pause between one phone conversation to the next. Get up, move about, and notice what’s right in front of you.
Close your door, where ever you are. Close your eyes for 2 minutes. Relax. The step into what’s next.
Use an app like One Minute Pause or A Simple Pause to plan your pauses in your day. Check them out and give this practice a try. It may just save your life!
