THE RELIGION CORNER: Self-Preservation — The First Law of Nature

Every time you fly, I’m sure you’ve noticed before the takeoff, airline hostesses always say, “put your oxygen mask on first.” Why! You cannot help your child or your elderly parents if you can’t breathe. Take care of yourself first, so you can “be all you can be.”

It all goes back to the quote by Samuel Butler — “self-preservation is the first law of nature” — which encapsulates the innate instinct within every living being to protect and preserve oneself. This is our reminder that survival, in its various forms, is a major priority in our daily living.

I heard Jim Rohn say this so many times, but obviously, I needed a refresh. We can be someone who has no money because of being stupid, when we don’t help ourselves first. When you put others ahead of yourself, you are liable to run out of breath, energy and determination before you can help yourself. Then once you realize that you need to help yourself, it could take quite a bit or regrouping. In this column, let us talk about the oxygen we have to improve our walk with God.

In 2nd Timothy 1:13-14, there are three things you can do, shown in Paul’s advice that we, too, can use to keep the oxygen flowing in our walk with God — in fact, we will not run out of oxygen. The first thing we can do is improve our “communication abilities in relationships.” Men and women, we need to talk to each other. Really talk. It could be through a letter, a text, a phone call or an email. But the best means is through time spent together, such as over a meal, on a hike, fishing, or some other activity. Let’s remind, encourage, challenge and counsel each other. In doing so, we will help each other stay the course.

Next is our attitude of faith and love, “… in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” This is the attitude with which we guard our hearts — with which we keep the pattern of sound teaching. We do it with faith and love.

What is an attitude of faith? Faith is the assurance of things we hope for and the conviction of things we don’t see. As Hebrews 11:1 says, faith is believing God anyway in the face of impossible circumstances.

In the Scriptures, we all know how this subject is summed up: “Love one another as Christ has loved you” (John 13:34-35), “Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14) and “Three things will last forever: faith, hope and love — and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). As we are following what we’ve been taught, we are to approach our relationships and circumstances with an attitude of faith and love.

Finally, the third point is we need the help of the Holy Spirit: “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” First, notice the word “us.” When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we don’t say, “My Father in heaven, give me this day my daily bread, forgive me my sins, keep me from evil, don’t let me yield to temptation.” Scripture says our Father — and it’s us. “Us” is the ethos of the Christian life.

We can do a lot with our own human strength to the best of our ability. And we can do even more together. But when the Holy Spirit becomes part of the equation, it’s a total game-changer. The Holy Spirit is called many things in the Scriptures, such as the advocate, counselor, helper, and comforter. And that same Holy Spirit dwells within us! Just as Jesus told His disciples, the Father has sent the Holy Spirit to remind us of everything we’ve been taught.

Get rid of toxic energy drainers. However, we tend to not listen and we ignore those signs! People who try to kill your dream are always reminding you of your past failures. Ask yourself, “What kind of person have I become because of the relationships that I have allowed with this person?” There’s a saying: “Birds of a feather, flock together.” Ask yourself, “Does this person bring out the best in me, or is it bringing out the worst in me? Do they inspire me, make me stretch?

There’s an old African proverb that says, “If there’s no enemy within, the enemy on the outside can do you no harm.” Take care of yourself first, then when you are at your best, you can help others.

Lyndia Grant is a speaker/writer living in the D.C. area. Her radio show, “Think on These Things,” airs Fridays at 6 p.m. on 1340 AM (WYCB), a Radio One station. To reach Grant, visit her website, www.lyndiagrant.com, email lyndiagrantshowdc@gmail.com or call 240-602-6295. Follow her on Twitter @LyndiaGrant and on Facebook.