Calm in the ChaosSample

Day 2: Face your Fears

During a 1986 deployment to the Persian Gulf, Aviation Rescue Swimmer Charles Raygor launched with his SH-2F Seasprite helicopter on a routine flight. Shortly after takeoff, a catastrophic engine failure forced the pilots to ditch the aircraft into the Indian Ocean. The initial landing was gentle, but as the main rotors slowed, they dipped and struck the water with violent force, tearing off the blades and rendering the helicopter a sinking wreck. Raygor, knocked unconscious by the impact, regained consciousness underwater. Despite the chaos, he stayed calm, released his harness, and egressed from the sinking cabin. When a snag pulled him back, he methodically freed himself again and surfaced for air. All crew members and a passenger survived the crash with minimal injuries.

Such survival did not happen by chance. Navy aircrew train rigorously for both land and water mishaps, including disorienting scenarios that mimic real emergencies. This training requires candidates to face their fears head-on, simulating helicopter crashes in deep pools where blindfolded trainees must escape a submerged and inverted cockpit. By confronting fear in controlled settings, they prepare to respond with clarity and resolve in real-life situations.

In life, fear can paralyze us when we fail to recognize or address it. Often, overwhelming emotions signal deeper fears beneath the surface. Like Raygor in the sinking helicopter, identifying fear and calmly addressing it allows us to regain control. Acknowledging fear is not a sign of weakness but the first step toward overcoming it with God’s help.

The story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) offers a biblical parallel. As the Israelites trembled before Goliath’s taunts, a young shepherd, David, stepped forward. Though inexperienced in battle, David’s faith in God gave him the courage to confront the giant. Declaring, “The Lord who rescued me...will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37), David relied on God’s past faithfulness as his source of strength. Armed with a sling, five smooth stones, and unshakable trust, David defeated Goliath with a single shot, securing victory for Israel.

David’s courage wasn’t the absence of fear; it was his determination to act despite it, trusting in God’s power rather than human limitations. His triumph reminds us that challenges, no matter how daunting, are opportunities for God to reveal His strength in our lives. Like David, we are called to face our fears with faith, preparation, and courage, trusting that God’s provision is sufficient for every trial.

Discussion Questions:

1. What fears in your life might God be calling you to confront with faith?
2. How can you trust in God’s past faithfulness to face current challenges?