One of the most misunderstood realities of police work is the difference between a “reaction” and a “response”. This difference is not just academic; it is often the difference between life and death, between justified force and tragic error, and between spiritual resilience and burnout.
As officers, we live in a split‑second world. We’re asked to make the most critical decisions in a fraction of a second, knowing quite well that our decision will be replayed for months (or even years) in slow motion. The people evaluating our decision will have more than enough time to “respond” to our actions, even though we were forced to “react” in real time, under tremendous duress.
Understanding the difference between responses and reactions – and learning how to navigate the difference as a Christian – is a skill we must embrace and nurture.
Neurologically, there’s a real distinction between these two forms of conduct. A reaction is fast, automatic, and driven by the amygdala – the brain’s fight‑or‑flight center. When someone swings at you, you don’t ponder your options; your hand goes up instinctively. In a genuine deadly‑force encounter, there is often not enough time to think slowly, weigh alternatives, and craft a perfectly measured reply. You react. Understanding the difference between responses and reactions - and learning how to navigate the difference as a Christian – is a skill we must embrace and nurture. Share on X
“Pondering” is, in fact, the key difference between a “response” (a word that contains the same etymological root for reflective thinking – “pon” – that is found in the word “ponder”), and a “reaction.” Responses are thoughtful and deliberate. They are rooted in the frontal lobe, where you analyze, reflect, and choose.
Neuroscientists understand the difference between reactions and responses. It’s simply a matter of time. If you can slow down and take the time to think and consider the options, the neural pathway for this process moves through the frontal lobe rather than the amygdala. When we counsel law enforcement couples, for example, we tell them their conversations will change dramatically if they simply take some time before they respond, rather than simply reacting in an instant.
But, police officers don’t have this luxury in most use‑of‑force situations.
In every critical incident I’ve investigated or reviewed, the officer on scene was reacting in fractions of a second, while everyone conducting the investigation was responding with the benefit of time, distance, and emotional safety. That asymmetry is, unfortunately, built into the job.
So, how can we, as Christian officers, live, work and serve in a profession that forces us to react before we can properly respond?
First, we must train our reflexes before the crisis. We cannot “decide” in the moment what our character will be; we will default to who we are and what we’ve practiced. That’s why consistent time in Scripture, prayer, Christian fellowship, and honest confession is not optional – it’s how the Holy Spirit shapes the instincts that will surface under stress.
Second, we must accept that reactions will be imperfect; they are almost always less reliable than measured responses. We will make mistakes, and we will need grace – from God and from others. The cross of Christ is big enough for both our sins and our errors.
Third, we need to refuse to let bitterness define us. Years of constant exposure to evil can turn almost anyone into a cynical, angry, isolated person. Many officers end up fantasizing about retiring to an isolated location on 50 acres surrounded by a barbwire fence, just to keep the world away. That’s what unchecked trauma does when we distance ourselves from the God who can heal it.
Finally, we must allow hardship to drive us toward Christ, not away from Him. As the demands on law enforcement grow, we’ll need a deeper source of endurance and refreshment than days off or increased benefits. Scripture calls us to see hardship not as an excuse for sin, but as a badge of honor granted by God to those who serve Him.
I make this point repeatedly to the law enforcement couples I counsel: Practical tools and advice are helpful, but they are a poor substitute for knowing the Toolmaker and True Adviser. We don’t need more guidance. We need a true relationship with the Guide. Policy reforms, training, wellness programs, and peer support are all good gifts, but they cannot heal a wounded soul or resurrect a dead one.
If you are a Christian officer, you have been given something the world cannot offer: a Savior who stepped into a violent, unjust world, was falsely accused, misunderstood, beaten, and executed—and did it willingly to save His enemies. He knows what it is to be treated unjustly. He knows what it is to be surrounded by rage, lies, and mob mentality. And He promises to be with us “always, to the end of the age.”
Our world will always involve reactions. But our lives, our identities, and our hope must be grounded in a God who never reacts, but always responds with perfect wisdom, justice, and love. Let’s serve Him first so we can endure the split‑second demands of the job without losing our souls.
To dive deeper, here is my interview with Frank Turek about the importance of Law Enforcement:
Here is my interview with Bill Arnold:
Also, if you’re a police officer and you haven’t yet trusted the Savior who can help you make critical decisions and survive the challenge of the moment, there is no better time than now. The guidance and protection of God is available for anyone who seeks Him.
