Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Factor
Ghostly Companions
Survivors of extreme situations—on Everest and elsewhere—credit the help of a ‘third man’ who is not there.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204884404574361631588827614.html?mod=rss_opinion_main
“In ‘The Third Man Factor,’ John Geiger, a fellow at the University of Toronto, presents many accounts of such experiences, and not only from climbers. Among those who have felt a ghostly companionship he cites Charles Lindbergh on his solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927 and the last man to walk out of the South Tower of the World Trade Center before it collapsed on 9/11. ‘Over the years,’ Mr. Geiger writes, “the experience has occurred again and again, not only to 9/11 survivors, mountaineers, and divers, but also to polar explorers, prisoners of war, solo sailors, shipwreck survivors, aviators, and astronauts. All have escaped traumatic events only to tell strikingly similar stories of having experienced the close presence of a companion and helper.’”
Reminds me of this Bible story:
“Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’ They replied, ‘Certainly, O king.’ He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’”
About The Author
I never had an imaginary friend. Do they seem as real as a real friend? Any idea how old kids imaginary friends are? Fascinating…
I had two, but I wouldn’t compare them to those that appear under more trying circumstances. I think it was more like pretending, but I don’t remember. I should ask the kids…
I did when I was younger, several actually, maybe half a dozen over the course of my childhood. Almost always it was a cartoon/video game character, or a celebrity, typically female, generally powerful(maybe the reason I mainly chose fictional characters). Regardless, all of my imaginary “friends” were generally parent like, nurturing, protective, and powerful. Whenever I was stressed, sad, or hurt, I would go to my room and pretend that the particular friend I chose at the time would cuddle me, encourage me, make me feel better etc.
I would be really interested if a study of some kind was done on this kind of thing, as why I choose such specific criteria almost every time is a mystery even to me.
Back on topic, I’ve never felt a “third man” in some kind of dangerous situation, although I’ve never been in a situation quite as serious as the examples presented.
I do remember one time, I first started driving and I was making alot of mistakes, couldn’t remember the road rules, backtracked on decisions halfway through their completion-basically everything you DON’T do while driving, I prayed for God to guide my hands, and I felt a very strange feeling come over me. I wouldn’t attribute it to hormones/adrenalin.
All of a sudden I was very calm, I felt like I knew exactly what to do and when to do it. The feeling in my hands and arms was the most remarkable, I distinctly remember the feeling of them being guided-nothing I’d ever experienced before. I guess it makes sense, God helps us at the last minute.
God didn’t help Shadrach Meshach and Abednego when they were captured, not when they were on trial, and not when they were about to be thrown in. He helped them when they were directly in tremendous flames. Whatever God’s reasons for helping us in the mysterious way he does, I can sleep at night knowing that he will, one way or another.
btw, the “I did” at the top of my post referred to having an imaginary friend.