The Importance of Situational Awareness in a Fallen World

This week I wanted to write about something that hits way too close to home.

Someone I know was almost taken against her will from a local store parking lot. 

I know firsthand how horrific that could have turned out because an attempted kidnapping also happened to a friend of mine in Houston . . . and to me (more about that later).

Christian or not – the importance of having situational awareness can not be overstressed.

I’m sure you’ve seen the same disturbing headlines that I have regarding violent crime.

Men, women, or children – no one is immune to the possibility of dangerous encounters with evil people in this world.

Sadly, I know there are some people who still think that violent crime would never happen in their small town.

And, granted, there’s a delicate balance between showing Christian kindness to strangers, but also keeping yourself safe.

The fact is we are living in a fallen world with evil people in it.

Is that being negative? No, it’s being smart.

Situational awareness in a fallen world is absolutely essential.

Otherwise, ignoring your God-given red flags could result in you or your loved ones becoming a heartbreaking statistic.

Situational Awareness: Fear Can Be A Gift

Although my own dangerous encounter happened years ago, I’ve never forgotten about it.

I had just finished my grocery shopping and was taking my bags out to the car.

As I approached, I saw an old beat-up vehicle back up into the open parking spot right next to my car. Two guys were just sitting in it staring at me.

Thank You Lord that my red flags started going off.

In retrospect, I should have just turned around and gone back inside the store to ask for a store manager to accompany me, but I didn’t.

In what could have been a terrible mistake, I walked to my car anyway and tried to get my grocery bags into the hatchback as quickly as I could.

That was when the driver got out, walked around his car and started coming towards me.

I didn’t even hear his door open and yet all of a sudden he was there.

The other guy in the passenger seat was looking down and acting awfully strange.

The driver walking towards me said something about having some perfume for sale that he wanted to show me.

It was at that instant that something I learned about in a self-defense class kicked in.

As loud as I could I yelled “NO” – loud enough that other shoppers could hear me.

I could tell the bad guy was startled by my loud outburst. That gave me a few precious seconds to unlock my car and get in as fast as I could.

He turned around quickly got in his car and he and his partner immediately drove off.

Petrified, I remember calling my husband and the police to report what could have been the worst day of my life.

A recommendation online said that if you are approached in a parking lot and you feel those red flags coming on, you could say something like, “STOP! You need to back up, I don’t know you.”

Suffice all this to say – being situationally aware could save your life.

Situational Awareness: Bathrooms in Public Places

Thankfully, I have a husband who will stand outside a public ladies restroom if I have to go inside.

Why not the same for parents and kids at their sports activities?

The other day I saw a video of a mom who said that, at her kid’s games, even if she has the public restroom in her line of sight from the bleachers, she will always go with her child to the restroom.

Not only that, she will check it out inside before she allows her child to walk in.

Why? Because someone could be lurking inside one of the other stalls. 

Look, I hate talking about this kind of stuff, but the truth is that evil is all around us.

As a former reporter, I covered an SA trial in Louisiana and it just about tore me up inside.

It would be incredibly naive to think that it’s unchristian to be cautious in today’s world. 

I believe God has given us a gut instinct that we should listen to.

The following verse is from a Psalm of David to the people of Israel.

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¹ Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.