LEAD. February 2020 | Page 36

10 STRATEGIES for Thriving in an Increasingly Hostile Culture By Robert Jeffress We live in perilous times. Culture as a whole is heading nowhere fast, leaving our country’s once deeply held Christian beliefs to fade in the rearview mirror. If you squint, you can almost make them out. So how do we live in these new times? I’ve learned a thing or two by studying everyday heroes and have compiled the below strategies for thriving in an increasingly hostile culture. 1. Don’t Panic Studies have shown that when most people— those without military, first responder, 36 or survivalist training—are faced with a threatening situation, about 10 percent of men and women have a fight response. Another 10 percent have a flight response. The remaining 80 percent freeze. They become emotionally overwhelmed, unable to do anything at all. There are seemingly endless situations that tempt us to fear in this life. Whether it is the corroding effects of our culture or the issues that confront our hearts and homes, this world can be a frightening and dangerous place. But if we are to survive when challenges come, we must not panic.