We’ve talked about Mayday moments. Those sudden life emergencies that shake you and force you to cry out. But once the distress call goes out, what happens next?
In aviation, pilots are trained to respond to emergencies using three clear steps: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate. These words might seem simple, but in a high-stress situation, they become your anchor. Your checklist. Your survival plan.
Let’s break it down and talk about what this means for our walk with God.
1. Aviate – Fly the Plane
The first priority in any emergency is to keep the aircraft under control. No matter what happens, the pilot must keep flying. You can’t respond to a fire, engine failure or loss of communication if the plane itself is falling out of the sky.
Spiritually, when crisis hits, the first thing we must do is hold steady. Stay grounded in Christ. Keep breathing. Pray. Return to the basics of your faith. Don’t abandon the cockpit of your soul.
This isn’t about doing something big, it’s about staying alive spiritually. Keep trusting. Keep reading. Keep worshipping. Your instinct may be to panic or freeze, but this is the time to cling tightly to what you know is true.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” - Psalm 46:1
2. Navigate – Know Where You’re Headed
Once the aircraft is stable, the pilot must assess the situation and chart the best course. Are we heading toward danger? Is there a safe place to land? What’s the nearest airport?
In life, emergencies can disorient us. Pain clouds our vision. Fear messes with our judgement. But God is still in control, and His Word still lights our path.
Even in the middle of chaos, take a moment to ask: where am I going? Where is God leading me through this?
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” - Psalm 119:105
3. Communicate – Call for Help
After flying and navigating, the next step is communication. Pilots must let the control tower know what’s happening. They must speak clearly, share their intentions and receive guidance.
Too many of us try to handle emergencies in silence. But isolation is dangerous. We need to talk to God and sometimes, we need to reach out to trusted people around us.
Call your spiritual control tower. Speak to your Father. Reach out to a friend, a mentor, your community. Let someone know what you’re facing.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” - 1 Peter 5:7
PIOSEE – A Checklist for the Storm
Beyond the first response steps, pilots use a structured checklist called PIOSEE to work through complex in-flight problems. It keeps their minds focused and their actions intentional.
Here’s how it applies to us in a spiritual emergency:
P – Plan
Take a moment to gather yourself. Think clearly. Open your Bible. Pray. Let God remind you of His promises.
I – Identify
What’s the actual issue? Not just the symptom, but the root. Is it fear, unbelief, disappointment, shame?
O – Options
What are the possible paths forward? Begin seeking wisdom. God will often give you clarity step by step.
S – Select
Choose the way that aligns with God’s Word and peace. Don’t rush, but don’t stay paralysed either.
E – Execute
Move forward in obedience. Take that step, however small, in faith.
E – Evaluate
After acting, stop and reflect. Is your heart settled? Is God confirming this path? Adjust as needed.
| PIOSEE | Aviation Use | Spiritual Parallel |
|---|---|---|
| P – Plan | Have a plan of action | Rehearse God’s promises & renew your mind (Romans 12:2) |
| I – Identify | Identify the issue | Discern the real problem – not just symptoms (James 1:5) |
| O – Options | Consider alternatives | Seek God for wisdom and direction (Proverbs 3:5–6) |
| S – Select | Choose the best option | Obey God’s voice and take a faith step |
| E – Execute | Carry it out confidently | Act in obedience and faith (James 2:17) |
| E – Evaluate | Review and adjust as needed | Reflect, pray, and keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25) |
Some Instruments You’ll Find in a Cockpit
Just like in life, pilots rely on instruments to make good decisions when the weather turns bad or visibility drops. These include:
- Attitude Indicator – tells you if you’re climbing or descending, banking left or right
- Altimeter – measures how high you are above ground
- Airspeed Indicator – shows your speed through the air
- Compass or HSI – shows direction and heading
- Flight Director – gives visual guidance on where to fly
- Flaps – help you control lift and speed when landing or taking off
- Thrust – power that keeps you moving forward
Each of these must be checked during preflight checks and maintained through routine inspections. In the same way, our spiritual disciplines, relationships, and beliefs must be regularly examined.
You can have all the right instruments, but if they’re not working, or you don’t know how to use them, you’re still in danger. And even if they are working, without the guidance of the control tower, you may still crash.
The Full Armour of God – Your Spiritual Instruments
Ephesians 6 tells us to put on the full armour of God:
- The belt of truth
- The breastplate of righteousness
- The gospel of peace for our feet
- The shield of faith
- The helmet of salvation
- The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God
These are your spiritual flight instruments. Each one helps you stand firm. Each one is essential. But even when you’re fully equipped, you still need to stay connected to the One giving you direction.
Your strength is not in the armour alone, but in the One who provides it.
“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” - Ephesians 6:10
Final Thoughts
Emergencies will come. Mayday moments are part of the journey. But when they do, you don’t have to crash. There is a way to respond with wisdom and peace.
Aviate – Keep flying. Don’t give up on your faith.
Navigate – Let God lead you step by step.
Communicate – Cry out, speak up, and stay connected.
Use your checklist. Trust your instruments. And above all, stay in touch with the Control Tower.
He sees what you cannot. He knows the way through the storm.
And He’s not just helping you land safely. He’s preparing you to soar again.
John Thole is the voice behind Beyond Salvation, a blog that captures the highs and lows of life through faith, laughter, and honest reflection. With a passion for storytelling, technology, and spiritual growth, he creates content that resonates with seekers, believers, and anyone navigating life’s journey. Whether sharing personal insights, devotionals, or thought-provoking discussions, John aims to inspire, uplift, and spark meaningful conversations.
