If you’re familiar with chickens, you know they are flighty birds. Even a small sound sends them into a tizzy. When the rooster calls out a warning, all the hens nearly fall over one another running back into the coop. I’m sure this instinctive behavior developed to preserve the species. However, when taken to an extreme, the birds act like Chicken Little in the children’s story. Too bad the other animals never bothered to ask her this crucial question. Chicken Little, is the sky really falling?
In this folktale, an acorn falls on Chicken Little’s head. She doesn’t see what hit her but instead of investigating, she at once believes the sky is falling. She convinces her friends that a catastrophic event is eminent. So they all take off to notify the King. But on their way, they run into Foxy Loxy who lures them one by one into his fox hole by telling them the King is there. Each of Chicken Little’s friends are eaten by the Fox. She escapes only because she leaves for home before it’s her turn in the fox hole to complete a chore she forgot earlier in the day.
Even though this is a children’s story, the author obviously aimed its moral at an adult audience. How many times do we respond to bad news like Chicken Little or her friends? Often we believe everything we read or hear without making the effort to truly investigate its validity. This is especially true if it fits the narrative of our worldview.
But before we start pointing fingers, please be aware. This behavior isn’t reserved for one particular group or another. Every one of us falls prey to unsubstantiated information more than we’d like to admit. Then we find ourselves walking passively down a fox hole just like Chicken Little’s friends.
So, how do we avoid this pitfall in a world packed full of information hitting us from all directions? Some choose to believe all they hear while other skeptics question everything. What are we to do?
First, look at the source of the information. Is it from a reputable person or group? What are their credentials giving them authority on this topic? Are they savvy on the subject or simply a self-appointed expert?
Next, investigate the consistency of the information. We tend to believe a report when we hear the same material from different groups. However, just because several people tell you a piece of information doesn’t make it valid. Again, go back to note whether all your sources are reputable authorities on the subject or not.
In addition, ask yourself if the piece of information makes common sense. Is the sky really falling? Do you see evidence of this reality yourself? If the answer is no, then don’t make any big decisions based on this data. Investigate further before jumping headlong into a spiral of doom and anxiety.
Finally, if you’re a Christian, contemplate this question. What does God have to say about this subject? Does the Bible have definitive advice in the matter? The opinion of scripture may contradict what information the world tells us. Do we believe the Word of God or the word of man? Only your heart can answer that question.
The story of Chicken Little has many versions going back several centuries. No one knows the original author. Though this cautionary tale rings true in every generation, in our present circumstance it’s imperative that we listen to its message. God gave each of us a brain to discern what is right. We must continue to ask: Chicken Little, is the sky really falling? Be careful where you put your trust and who you believe.
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!
Proverbs 3:5-7 The Message Bible
