Fallback Position
by Annie Yorty ©2022
Theoretically, I enjoyed an extra hour of sleep last weekend for the time change. I say “theoretically” because when we fall back an hour, I usually find myself staying up an hour later. The term “fall back” that we use to talk about switching from Daylight Saving Time to Eastern Standard Time makes me think of our fallback position in life.
Attack of the Orcs
It’s been a while since I watched The Lord of the Rings Two Towers movie, but I clearly remember one scene. The army of Rohan are in a pitched battle against the overwhelming forces of Saruman. Valiantly, they fight the evil onslaught, but a horde of Orcs breaches their massive stone walls, and they begin to surge through. King Theoden hollers, “Fall back to the Keep!”
As an aside, I always wonder in those scenes how thousands of soldiers hear a command verbally issued in such chaos. But I suspend my disbelief and emotionally enter into the despair that drives them to abandon the offense and run for their place of safety. The Keep, a fortified cave-like structure, was their traditional fallback position where they hid for protection.
We all have fallback positions.
I think of a fallback position as the place or behavior we go to—physically or figuratively—that feels most familiar and secure to us.
A fallback position is the place or behavior we go to—physically or figuratively—that feels most familiar and secure to us. Share on XWe usually learn our fallback position in childhood, so deeply ingrained that it’s almost unconscious. For example, a daughter of an alcoholic often learns perfectionism or people pleasing. A child whose family moves repetitively may keep relationships shallow. Not all fallback positions are bad. A son raised according to biblical principles learns to wait on God to meet his needs.
Most of us have probably acquired some dysfunctional fallback thinking or behaviors through childhood experiences. Hopefully, though, you’ve grown in Christ over time. He’s been transforming your mind and heart to conform to His will. But maybe you, like me, maintain a fallback pattern of behavior . . . just in case.
Attack of the Stressors
A stressor can drive us to retreat to our fallback position—that old, reflexive, often sinful, response. In the moment of pressure, our instinctive behavior surfaces. Our stressors may include but are not limited to:
Uncertainty
Demands of others
Criticism
Financial pressure
Lack of sleep
Loneliness
Physical or emotional pain
Rejection
The Only Secure Fallback Position
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. (Psalm 91:1-4 NLT)
The shelter of the Most High, pictured in this psalm as a covering of wings, is our only safe space. We can dwell there, abiding in our place of belonging with God.
Is the shelter of the Most High your fallback position? Share on XHow does falling back to a safe place tucked under God’s “feathers” change our response to stress? Pause and think about what you experience from this vantage point. The warmth of His nearness. Comfort nestled in the downy underside of the feathers. Protection from the elements. Guarded by an impervious shield. “His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”
When we grasp the reality of safety with God, our changed perspective will alter our response to even the worst stressor’s attack. We can relax our need to take control. We can rely on God instead.
Just Open Your Eyes
A few verses later in Psalm ninety-one, verse eight says, “Just open your eyes” (NLT).
Will you open your eyes and perceive God waiting to be your fallback position? When life’s stress tries to goad you into a dysfunctional response from the past, fix your eyes on God and run for His keep. He has a secure, fortified place reserved just for you.
Join the conversation:
How have you experienced God’s security to overcome dysfunctional fallback positions?
I welcome your comments!
16 Comments
Nancy E. Head
God is our refuge and strength. Great post, Annie. God bless!
Annie Yorty
Thanks so much, Nancy. Blessings to you!
JD WIninger
What a great thought-provoking post Ms. Annie. As I read, I had to ask myself, “Why does God need to be your fallback?” Is it because I so often try and get ahead of Him? Thinking about it, wouldn’t it be better if He were my default (my “go to”) rather than my fallback position. Will be ruminating more on these thoughts in the coming days my friend. Thank you so much for this wonderful gift.
Annie Yorty
I have learned to make Father my default in most circumstances, but I still have certain buttons that get pushed that provoke my old responses. I thank God for giving me more and more of His mind to bring my responses under control. Thanks for adding to the conversation, J.D.!
Katherine Pasour
As the child of an authoritarian father my fallback position features two traits; the need to be in control and the drive to overachieve at everything I do. God has helped me with the first one because I submitted to Him an cried out for help. The second one–I’m still working on and making turtle speed progress. Thank you for helping me think about this again.
Annie Yorty
Oh, Katherine, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the “turtle speed progress.” I feel your pain. God is so patient with us, isn’t He? Thanks for your transparency, my friend.
Barbara Latta
The shelter of the Most High is the best fall back place. I wouldn’t want to fall anyplace else! Thanks for this, Annie!
Annie Yorty
Amen! God is teaching me about His shelter in a new way these days. There’s always something more with Him. Thanks for visiting, Barbara.
Krystal Weeks
God has been and still is my shelter and my strength. In many situations, He had to put me in a very deep place, not for shelter as much as for teaching me not to complain and doubt but to praise Him.
Annie Yorty
Thank you, Krystal, for adding your thoughts to this conversation. We learn best when we tucked in close to Him. Isn’t it wonderful that He brought us into that wonderful place of belonging so we can learn His ways? Blessings to you!
Candyce Carden
Thanks for showing me a fallback position does not have to be negative. Working to establish a fallback position firmly under God’s wings. Just to retreat there and “be” with Him. I always make it there eventually but I want it to be my default position.
Thanks, Annie.
Annie Yorty
I know it is hit and miss with me, depending on the situation. I’m working on getting more consistent though, by the grace of God. Thanks for visiting!
Yvonne Morgan
Gods is my rock and shelter in the midst of the chaos of my surroundings. I can’t imagine going anywhere else because no one can provide me the same kind of love, peace and protection. Thanks Annie
Annie Yorty
You are blessed to know that, Yvonne. Thank you for visiting and sharing your thoughts.
Jen Knight
That image of being under His wing has always been my fallback. Just the image of it brings incredible comfort.
Annie Yorty
Being able to picture it really helps me understand the reality. Thanks, Jen. Happy Thanksgiving!