When We Don’t Listen
God’s Gift of Fear and the Power of Instinct
There’s a hard truth we often overlook — especially for women.
We’re taught to be polite, to not “make a scene,” and to doubt our unease.
Yet predators — those who wish to harm — count on that hesitation.
In The Gift of Fear, Gavin de Becker makes this point powerfully: danger rarely arrives without warning. Our bodies, minds, and spirits send subtle signals long before a threat becomes visible. But if we dismiss those signals in the name of courtesy or self-doubt, we silence one of God’s most important tools for protection.
That “gut feeling” isn’t paranoia. It’s discernment.
It’s the Holy Spirit’s quiet nudge saying, “Pay attention.”
Fear, properly understood, isn’t the absence of faith.
It’s information.
And when we interpret it through peace, prayer, and preparation, it becomes wisdom.
As I often share in Peace-First Preparedness, our goal isn’t to live on alert — it’s to live aware.
To model calm confidence that strengthens our families and steadies our communities.
Here are three reflections for the week:
Reframe Fear: Ask, “Is this feeling a warning or just worry?” Learn the difference through practice and prayer.
Honor Instinct: If something feels off, you don’t owe anyone an explanation. Step away first; analyze later.
Teach Presence: Show children how to notice what’s happening around them — calmly, without fear.
Discernment is a divine gift.
Preparation is stewardship.
And peace — the kind that “guards hearts and minds” — is their fruit.
Proverbs 27:12 (NIV)
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”