July 27, 2020
Last week I took risks. I traveled eight hours from home and had face-to-face conversations with a dozen people from around the country. I did the almost unthinkable during this Covid-19 season – I took a vacation.
Being the analytical, introspective sort, I didn’t take this action lightly but followed the same advice I give my students in the classroom. In my day job, I teach professionals about cybersecurity risk management. On the first day of class, I often ask whether the goal of risk management is to eliminate cybersecurity risks. Many say, “Of course!” but then they see the twinkle in my eye and wait to hear my speech.
“Which has higher cybersecurity risk – a company that sells its product on the internet, or a company that only sells its product in face-to-face exchanges of cash?”
“The company on the web.”
“So if our goal is to eliminate cyber risks, that company should immediately shut down their web presence, right?”
“Of course not!”
“Why not?”
“Because they would lose their customers and a lot of money.”
“Bingo. Sometimes the risk is worth the potential reward. Risk management analyzes risk based on priorities, then takes actions to keep those risks within acceptable bounds.”
Risk is typically measured by considering the likelihood of a negative event and its potential impact. For example, before going on vacation I considered the risks related to catching the virus. I considered the risks of hotel vs. renting a house; going out to dinner vs. bringing our own food; hanging out on the beach vs. renting a pontoon boat. As we evaluate each risk, we have four choices:
- Mitigate the risk. Reduce either the likelihood or the impact.
- Remove the risk.
- Transfer the risk. Find someone else who is willing to take on the risk.
- Accept the risk. In other words, the risk is worth the reward. The safeguards have lowered the risk to an acceptable level.
During this pandemic season, we are conducting risk management every day. I used to run to the grocery store for an individual item. I mitigate my risk by the following: I buy groceries less often; I wear a mask; I sanitize my hands as I leave the store, and then scrub my hands when I get home. Other people choose to transfer the risk by ordering their food online and having it delivered. Others take no special precautions because they believe their risk to be low. People choose combinations of the four choices that make sense for their own personal risk assessment.
We attended a wedding during our vacation last week. Some people chose not to attend the wedding. I support that. Some people chose to hug the bride and groom. I support that, too. Perhaps the first person’s 90-year old parents live in their home or their child is going through chemotherapy. Perhaps the second person is in their 20’s, has been sequestered to their home for the last two weeks, and consider the likelihood and impact of contracting Covid-19 as extremely low.
If I could get the message out, I would want people to understand that these sorts of risk assessments are unique for each person and situation. They are never a one-size fits all. For this reason, I believe I should try to give others as much grace and mercy as possible, especially when their choices do not match my own.
Now I want to put a spiritual spin on this and tell you the opposite message when it comes to living righteously. Does God call us to take risks? The Bible is full of examples of people who risked great losses to serve God. This is often attributed to “blind faith” which some people glorify and others demonize. My personal opinion is that the term is an oxymoron – there is no such thing as blind faith. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is based on truth and experience not feelings. I believe the Bible not only because trusted people in my life told me it is true, but because my own life experiences testify to its truth. For over 50 years it has provided me guideposts and principles that have proven trustworthy time and time again. When I face a difficult choice, taking the high road (God’s way) may be risky. I may lose a job or a friend. But the alternative – treating God’s Word as untrustworthy – has a much higher likelihood of horrible long-term consequences with huge negative impacts.
For example, I know people who have faced serious financial troubles. Some of these people answered God’s call to integrity and honesty, so they downsized in order to meet their financial obligations. Others chose to embezzle and ended up in jail, leaving their children fatherless for several years. God’s way involved the risk of losing a home, but embezzling extracted a much greater cost.
Another example is how we choose to deal with anxiety and stress. During trying times, God’s Word advices us to persevere, to trust Him, and to seek godly counsel. God’s way brings risks of extended discomfort, so people often choose to trust drugs or alcohol to alleviate their discomfort immediately. The high impact of addiction ends up costing much more than God’s way.
The stress in our country these days is evident and real. But we have choices as to how we will deal with it. I encourage you to find God’s advice on it. He may ask you to reduce a risk, to remove a risk, to transfer a risk to His able hands, or to accept a risk. When it comes to moral choices, choose the high road following Biblical principles. But when it comes to personal preference, give others the freedom and consideration to choose what is best for them.
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