Damage control

The unexpected has happened. We never thought it would turn out like this but it did. What is to be done?

Damage control is what is expected. We try to restrict the inevitable damage and make it tolerable or salvage whatever could be salvaged. This damage control could be seen in the various facets of our lives.

It happens in business, in interpersonal relations where fear and suspicions have been roused up for various unknown reasons. There are times and moments we may become vulnerable but one should never lose courage but try to find a solution in the given circumstances and situations.

In the Bible we find that God had to rescue Abraham, his chosen servant from trying situations into which he had fallen e.g., Genesis 12.10-20. God had told Abraham to avoid cities but Abraham had to make a quick decision because of famine and he went down to fertile Egypt and its pastures and cities.

Though his cattle were saved, his beautiful wife had been taken by Pharaoh into his harem but God rescued her and had her restored to Abraham. Again and again God had to rescue his chosen people from the wrong choices they made and subsequent problems into which they landed. 

Now I ask: will God save me also from the wrong choices I have made sometimes in my life and due to which I am surrounded by apparently insurmountable opposition? The Psalmist speaks of his assurance from the Lord his rescuer: “Though a host encamps against me, my heart shall not fear” (Ps 27.3). We belong to him and so how can he abandon us?

Put your trust in God in such situations and as you ponder in human wisdom (prayer does not exempt me from using my human intelligence which is also God-given) the various ways of exercising the damage control, turn to the Lord in humble prayer like the Psalmist “Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!” (Ps 38. 21-22). One of the things often forgotten in damage control is the harm that we may cause to innocent people by using them as scapegoats, not caring for their welfare but thinking only of our need for escaping from the situation.

When we continue to be just and exercise fair play even in trying situations, God himself comes to our assistance and gives us the wisdom to minimize the damages if any.

How can I forget that God is the source of all wisdom and our human wisdom is only a participation in his Divine Wisdom and he is so willing to give us a share of it when we ask his Spirit to illumine our heart and intellect?

God will surely defend his own in his own mysterious ways and therefore do not lose heart but do the best in the given situation. Ultimate success will be yours.