Are you a risk taker? For me, not so much. My personality and temperament are much more wired toward stability, safety, and security. For instance, I’m not much of a risk taker in the area of finances and take a much more conservative approach to investments rather than being speculative. You also won’t see me jumping out of a perfectly good airplane to go sky diving, hang gliding, walking on one of those swinging bridges or walking along the edge of a cliff while hiking. Whenever our family goes to the mountains, my wife Tammy does the driving while I “white knuckle” my way through the journey. I love being in the mountains, just not the drive to get there. Looking out my car window at the sheer drop-off on the other side of a less than adequate guard rail is not my idea of fun. Although about two years ago, I did climb about halfway up one of our organization’s radio towers in Africa in an attempt to overcome my fear of heights. –  It didn’t help!

I am a visionary and have an adventurous streak in me. I am not afraid of change and yet in many areas of life I avoid risk. It’s interesting while I am averse to risk when it comes to finances, or potentially dangerous physical situations, I am not the least bit hesitant or afraid of risk when it comes to speaking up or speaking out. I’m not afraid to confront wrong, speak the truth, defend my principles, values or beliefs, in any public setting, regardless of the risk.

In the business world companies have risk management policies in place to protect the organization from harm, injury, or loss. They often perform a SWOT analysis to evaluate Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats as they consider new plans or activities that will protect their assets; (People, Property, Products and financial Portfolios). They gauge their exposure to the chance of injury or loss, and then decide accordingly.

Not all risk can nor should be avoided. When it comes to pursuing life balance, there are: 1) Risks you can afford to take. 2) Risks you can’t afford to take. And 3) Risks that you can’t afford not to take. Some areas of life to consider would be quitting your current job, pursuing a new career path, asking your employer for a raise, popping the question to get married, starting a family, relocating your family, buying or selling a home to name a few. Certainly, risks you can’t afford to take are those that endanger your family and those around you. Then there are risks you can’t afford not to take.

Restoring broken relationships is a risk you should take. Relationships are risky and involve an elevated level of risk. You can’t be afraid of the risk of being real, vulnerable and transparent with others. Confronting a toxic relationship is a risk you can’t afford not to take. Sharing the Gospel with someone is a risk you can’t afford not to take. You can’t afford not to take the risk of reaching out to others. Moving out of your comfort zone, learning new things, making needed lifestyle changes, speaking up or speaking out, confronting wrong are risks you should take. You can’t and shouldn’t be afraid of the risk of having your assumptions or beliefs challenged.

What about you? Conduct your own personal SWOT analysis and decide, “What are some risks you can afford to take? What are some risks you can’t afford to take? What are some risks you can’t afford not to take?” Taking risk involves trust. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

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