The Wallenda Factor

“But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.” – John 7:13

Karl Wallenda was a German-American high wire artist and founder of The Flying Wallendas, a daredevil circus act that performed dangerous stunts, often without a safety net.

On March 22, 1978, 73-year-old Karl fell 75 feet to his death while walking a cable strung between two hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In reflecting on the time around his death, his widow explained that during the months preceding his death Karl transitioned from a lifestyle and attitude of confidence and courage to one of fear and precaution. He morphed from being an aerialist who lived to fly across the wire, to a hesitant high wire actor who was concerned about the fear of falling.

This fear of falling or failing is today known as The Wallenda Factor. It refers to people and situations where the fear of failure smothers the joy of soaring. It refers to people and situations where problem-solving erases an affirm and build process, where counting the

“no” votes are more important than counting the “yes” votes, and negatives are more important than positives.

As Christians, we should give our fears to Jesus. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that we need not be fearful in any situation.

“Whenever I hear about Christ as Savior it appears that he saves us from sin – and I don’t wish to deny that – but in my experience, he does more than that: he releases us from fear, and I think fear is the great killer.” – Ivor Smith-Cameron

God’s Word:  “The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1