I have a thing for survival shows I like them. The idea of survival under harsh or impossible circumstances fascinates me.  I often marvel at the will to live when faced with a life and death situation, why do some live and others die in the same situations? When the seemly strong fail to live and the ones we considered weak do? I have discovered that the drive to survive has little to do with brute force and has more to do with the willingness to face the facts without losing hope. It is the one who understands their needs and weakness that fair better than the ones who place all their hope in their physical ability.  The question then is what do we all need when we find ourself in a fight for survival.  Four things are common to those who survive.  Maybe you’ll never find yourself lost at sea or lost in the wilderness.  Maybe you are just fighting bad choices or maybe it wasn’t anything you did but you are fighting for what’s left of your life.  The needs are the same and here they are:

1.Shelter. We need a place to get out of the elements or out of the fight.  We need a place to weather the storm and rest if just for a moment.  A place to think and pray away from the fight.   A chance to dry off or to warm up.  Someplace that offers some amount of safety.  The bible teaches that the name of the Lord is a strong tower and that the Lord will hide me under His wing.  No matter where you are or what you’ve done or what has been done to you Jesus is a safe place, run to Him.  He will never reject you.

2. Water.  There is no survival without water.  The first thing after shelter is water, clean drinkable water.  You can survive about three days without water so finding it, catching it or digging for it is a priority.  Jesus said He was living water that he could quiche the driest soul and one drink from the water He gives you will quiche your thirst forever . You can read about a woman who found the living water in Johns gospel chapter 4.

3. Food.  At some point you have to find something to eat, if you are to survive you will need the energy. Most survival experts say you can make it about three weeks without eating but thats about it. Sometimes we can become so consumed with the battle we forget to take care of ourself.  Our bodies as well as our souls need to be nourished.  Jesus said He is the bread of life:

John 6:35 (NIV)
³⁵  Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

Jesus is real food for real hunger.

4. Escape plan.  Simply a way out, a way back, a way home.  Some times the challenge is becoming too comfortable in our situation or we become too afraid of what we don’t know.  After we have had time to shelter it’s time to reengage life.  If life has beaten you up or you find yourself suffering because of bad decisions it’s time to plan an escape.  Jesus said: John 14:6 (NIV)
⁶  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus knows the way out, “follow me and I’ll get you home” many a lost soul has heard those words and made it out of impossible circumstances, many who should have died live because they realized they couldn’t save themselves.  You, me, we all need a savior and His name is Jesus.  And thats the way I see it in my market.