The Human Condition of Survival
I am drawn to stories of survival. From my relatively safe little corner of the world I think there is fascination as a human surrounding the tenacity that lives inside us. Sometimes we never see that dogged strength of will drawn from a human being, while others are pressed to present that grit and fighting spirit in a way that inspires us all. These stories push me to perceive the world a little differently, to count myself a bit more grateful in my own circumstances. Often too these stories point us to God in a new way.
I’ll give the shortest synopsis of a recent survival story that inspired me. The story was about a young WWII pilot, Lt. Leon Crane, who crashed during a military test flight in Alaska mid winter. He parachuted out, landed alive, only to find himself alone in the Alaskan wilderness with zero supplies except his parachute, a swiss army knife, and some matches. He spent 9 days without shelter or food. Once he realized help was not coming, he started following a nearby river (trudging through deep snow mind you) in the hopes of coming across some form of life.
And then, he came upon a cabin.
There was no one there, but the cabin had literally everything he needed to survive. Food, warm clothes, firewood, a rifle, gloves which he desperately needed, and even a salve for his freezing cold, chapped, frostbitten hands.
Can you imagine that feeling? Opening the door and finding the very thing you need?
I was struck in a bit of a cliche way, that isn’t God like that cabin for us? We are struggling to hang on and get through, thinking there is no way out of whatever the mess is, and just when we need it, we’re given the tools and resources we need for survival.
We step inside the cabin, and suddenly we have what we need.
As the story goes on we learn Lt. Crane left the cabin numerous times to hunt, search for civilization, scope out the best path, etc. But he returned to the cabin over and over for shelter and safety, food and warmth. Ultimately during the story he does decide to pack up all of his food, tools, and other resources to find help. But the cabin provided for him. His journey lasted 84 days! And he would have died without the warmth, safety, and supplies from the cabin.
All throughout Scripture we are reminded of this provision, this comfort granted to us in times of trouble, and how the Lord cares for us:
Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him
Psalm 91:14-15 Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
Psalm 46: 1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
How wild to know we have a God who sees each of us, the storm we are going through, and he sees the end. He holds the endings even when we have no clue what is happening.
I lean hard on hindsight in my life. I’m learning to use it as a way to see the holy wonder of a God who sees the beginning and end of each situation and is threading them all together in a mysterious and wonderful way.
Yeah, I went there. I said wonderful while referencing the storms of life.
The ways I have seen the Lord work through hardship and brokenness have reshaped my way of thinking. Please hear me when I say I still moan and groan, and yell “why!?” at things while my family makes questioning looks in the other room… this perspective has not “fixed” my initial reaction to all situations (working on that…)
But what some experiences have helped create is the ability to let the cortisol levels settle, take a breath, and look back. Look back at what the Lord has done, and look forward at what the Lord is doing. It is important to also look at the Now, but if the Now is messy and chaotic, and rocking you to and fro and you feel beaten and forgotten - shift your gaze to the goodness of His past interventions. His past “cabins” where he gave you what you needed to pass through that seemingly impossible time. And look forward to the resolution of this current struggle, where you are then able to again look back and say “Thank you Lord for giving me what I needed, even when I couldn’t see a way out”.
For me that is the hardest part - the walking forward without knowing what is next on the path. Like Lt. Crane, we have to keep moving. Take our supplies from the cabin and keep forging forward; because we can’t just stay where we’re at - that’s proven to be thoroughly against the human condition of survival. We’re conditioned to live.
I suppose sometimes we need to be pushed to consider what we were actually conditioned to live for, or perhaps, who rather.
So what can be done to practically apply this way of thinking to my life?
Look back: Take some time to look back on your life, and write down or discuss with someone you trust the ways he has intervened or provided. I emphasize writing these down so you can be reminded in other times where you need them most - those times you may not be able to look back without a skewed perception from your struggle.
Look forward: What would be your desired outcome of the situation you are in? Share these desires with God, write down what you are asking of Him. Even if he delivers in a different way later on, you are exploring the possibilities of what He is capable of doing (hint - he is capable of so much more than we can imagine).
The Now: I know this moment, this time in your life may feel generally terrible, or hurt so much. Where can you sense the presence of God in the midst? Even identifying one or two ways creates a silver lining into the future to hang onto and trust his plan.
The Cabin & its resources: Ask yourself, what are some of the tools or supplies you’ve gained from God? How has he provided for you and readied you? Again, look back on previous experience too because often those skills and tools build upon themselves and prepare us for future difficulties. He readies us so well ahead of time.
Written by Taylor Hiers
Taylor Hiers is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Virginia. She currently works in the mental health space where she has a passion for supporting people on their journey to healing and wellness. Outside of her professional role she is a proud wife and mother.
Article main image by Joshua Earle
Secondary image by David Iskander
