Damage Control? An Alternative.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+6:18&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+10:14&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+10:14&version=NIV1984

Damage control.  I don’t know when I first heard the term but I do know where.  The media.  It was either in an article that I read or on a newscast that I saw.  Apparently it is a nautical term.  It is used by seaman for emergency procedures that are undertaken when a situation arises which may result in the sinking of a ship.  This could range anywhere from repairing a ruptured pipe to trying to patch a hole in the hull.  In situations such as this, damage control is of the utmost importance.  Lives are at stake.  Of course, damage control can also apply to other situations as well.  Such as oil spills and reactor leaks, etc.

Most often than not, however, the term 'damage control' appears to apply to situations involving people.  We see this in the political realm.  A politician or public official makes a poor comment.  Or one that is taken out of context.  Maybe there is the discovery of some sensitive information.  Whatever it is, the media immediately blows it way out of proportion.  Now this has the potential not only to be very embarrassing but also to cost someone their job.  So damage control is immediately undertaken.  A series of press releases are made in which the comments or information are either 1) clarified 2) downplayed or 3) refuted.  Of course, in our present political environment, people who specialize in damage control (spin doctors, also known as liars!) are in very high demand!

In every day terms, ‘damage control’ can refer to any negative situation a person finds themselves in. Such as a public official who is picked up for a DUI.  Or an educational institution that discovers that one of its personnel has engaged in an illegal activity.  It might apply to a contractor who is in danger of having a potential project derailed.  Or to a person who said something negative about someone behind their back.  And now that person has found out what was said.  So, in these instances, ‘damage control’ is the equivalent as ‘making the best of a bad situation’.  It is trying to do whatever can be done to minimize the damage.  Unfortunately, a large portion of our world, whether it be politicians, corporations, or private citizens are daily involved in damage control.  Now there are indeed times when damage control is necessary.  And even beneficial.  Some unforeseen event happens and, if left to itself, will cause a great deal of harm to a company's or individual's reputation.  But there is no denying the fact that a lot of damage control would be completely unnecessary if only we would practice ‘damage avoidance’.

By ‘damage avoidance’ I am referring to taking steps to avoid potentially damaging situations in the first place.  Take the captain of the Titanic, for example.  Knowing that the ship was entering an iceberg field, he would have been better served to slow down.  To be careful.  Instead of going ‘full speed ahead’.  That action, in and of itself, might have saved 1,500 lives.  But damage avoidance can be practiced in the ordinary areas of life as well.  Not cheating on one’s spouse.  Not drinking and driving.  Not posting negative or inflammatory information on Facebook.  Being careful what we say and to whom we say it.

Of course, as one might imagine, God is into damage avoidance at the expense of damage control.  Yes, God will certainly forgive and help people who either cause damage or are affected by the damage done by others.  But His preferred scenario is that we avoid potentially damaging situations entirely.  In Proverbs 5 - 7 Solomon warns young men of the danger of adultery.  And he lists of some of the damage that can result from this type of activity.  What is Solomon preaching?  Damage avoidance.  “Keep to a path far from her.”  “Do not lust in your heart after her beauty.”  “Do not turn into her.”  Over and over again Solomon begs his readers to avoid potentially damaging situations.

This is a message that we need to hear today.  So many people seem to do and say things, completely oblivious to the dangers involved.  As Christians, it would be far better if we were cautious and obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit than to have to apologize and do damage control afterwards.  It's the same old story.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Besides the potential of hurting ourselves and others, there is always God's reputation to think about as well.

So in our daily lives let us practice danger avoidance.  Let's be careful what we say and do.  Because our words and actions have the potential to hurt us.  Others.  And God's reputation.

Lord, there will no doubt be times in my life when I am going to have to practice damage control.  For a situation that has developed.  Or for something that I thoughtlessly said or did.  Help those situations to be few and far between.  Instead help me to practice damage avoidance.  To steer clear of situations that are going to damage me, others or Your reputation.  In Jesus' name, Amen.