“Whether you switch to the proper or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way in which; walk in it.’”- Isaiah 30:21 NIV
The Essex: A Haunting Lesson on Fear and the Need for a True Guide
On November 20, 1820, within the vast and unforgiving expanse of the Pacific Ocean, Captain George Pollard Jr. and the crew of the Essex faced a moment that may define their lives and seal their fate. Swayed by fear, they selected what appeared to be the most effective and safest path to preserve their lives, only to descend right into a nightmare of starvation, despair, and the lack of their humanity. It is a story that reveals the ability of fear to steer us astray but additionally serves as a warning of what happens after we lack a real guide and reliable map for our journey in life.
The sun began to drop below the horizon over the infinite expanse of the Pacific. In the dimming light, their three small whaleboats bobbed like little corks on an enormous and indifferent sea. With his ship sinking to the underside of the ocean, Captain Pollard stared into the gap, his mind tossed by the dual storms of fear and indecision.
The Essex set sail from Nantucket in August 1819, a sturdy whaling ship with a seasoned crew. Captain Pollard, though young, was confident in his abilities. The crew, including First Mate Owen Chase and cabin boy Thomas Nickerson, were looking forward to the journey and the promise of take advantage of the whale oil they might bring back.
The voyage began with high spirits and clear skies, but as you recognize, the ocean is fickle. A short while later, a violent storm battered the Essex, severely damaging the ship and two of its whaleboats. The crew’s morale wavered, but they pressed on, driven by the promise of reward from the hunt.
Months passed, and the Essex ventured deeper and deeper into the Pacific, beyond any hope of rescue. On November 20, 1820, the crew spotted a pod of sperm whales. The chase was on, and the lads took to their whaleboats, harpoons on the ready. But as they pursued the whales, the leader of the pod—a large bull whale—turned on them. The whale then rammed the Essex with a force that defied belief, causing the ship’s hull to crack audibly. The whale then went under the ship and swam off about 100 yards. To the crew’s horror, the whale turned and charged back at full speed, splintering the hull and sending water pouring into the ship.
The crew scrambled into the remaining whaleboats, quickly salvaging what they may before the ship began its journey to the underside of the ocean.
Now adrift on the earth’s largest ocean, they faced a alternative that may determine their fate. They could sail to the nearby Marquesas Islands or risk a for much longer trip to South America. The Marquesas were rumored to be inhabited by cannibals—a fear that proved to be exaggerated but one which carried weight. Ironically, the more pressing threats were starvation and dehydration, which were way more prone to claim their lives on the long journey to South America. Fear of the unknown swayed their decision, they usually set their course for South America—a call that may result in unimaginable suffering.
Days become weeks, and their provisions dwindled. The sun beat down mercilessly, and the nights brought bone-chilling cold. As their situation grew desperate, their fear of death drove them to an unthinkable decision: consuming the bodies of their fallen comrades. Fear of the unknown and fear of the immediate became the driving forces of their selections, but each led them farther from safety and hope.
Captain Pollard, once a figure of strength and leadership, became a shadow of his former self. The weight of command and the fear of failure pressed heavily on him. He watched as his crew dwindled, powerless to save lots of them from their fate.
In a final act of desperation, the lads drew lots to find out who can be sacrificed to sustain the others. The lot fell to Owen, Pollard’s young cousin. Pollard offered to take his place, but Owen refused. The crew carried out the duty, but those that lived were without end scarred by the horror of what that they had change into.
After greater than 90 days at sea, the survivors were finally rescued by passing ships. Out of the unique 21 crew members, only eight remained. They were gaunt, hollow-eyed specters, without end marked by their ordeal and their poor decisions that may destroy their souls.
Years later, Captain Pollard sitting alone in his small Nantucket home, stared out on the sun because it dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the quiet town. He stared off to the horizon, his soul haunted by a life-altering decision driven by fear that led him to a lifetime of regret.
Reflecting on the Essex’s Journey and Our Own Spiritual Lives
The story of the Essex is a study of how fear, the shortage of God’s guidance, and reliance on human wisdom can result in smash in life.
Like Captain Pollard, you too are on a journey in a small boat across an enormous sea, attempting to make it to a secure port where you’ll discover everlasting rest and life. This position often leads us to doubt, panic, or select poorly. But God, in His infinite mercy, provides us with a map for all times—the Bible—and a captain for our journey – the Holy Spirit—to navigate your journey.
The Cost of Fear
The Essex crew’s life-defining decision was swayed by fear, a force that may lead us on to paths we never intended to tread. Scripture reminds us of the destructive power of fear and the necessity for faith: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of affection and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). When fear controls the rudder, we lose sight of God’s guarantees and succumb to despair. The key to overcoming fear is to anchor ourselves in God’s truth and trust His guidance.
God’s Word: The Ultimate Map
Just because the Essex crew needed accurate charts and knowledge to navigate the vast ocean, we, too, need a reliable map to guide our lives. God’s Word is that map—a lamp to our feet and a lightweight to our path (Psalm 119:105). It reveals His character, His will, and the way in which we must always go. When we depend on His Word, we are able to avoid the pitfalls of worldly considering and navigate life’s challenges with clarity and confidence.
The Holy Spirit: Our Faithful Guide
The Holy Spirit just isn’t only our Comforter but additionally our Guide, leading us into all truth (John 16:13). Without the Spirit’s guidance, even the most effective map will be misunderstood or misapplied. The Spirit convicts us of sin, directs our steps, and empowers us to live in accordance with God’s will. By yielding to the Spirit, we are able to move beyond fear and embrace God’s purpose for our lives. Here are some practices you need to use to construct His guidance into your life.
- Daily Immersion in Scripture: Spend time every day reading and meditating on God’s Word.
- Prayerful Dependence: Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in every decision, big or small.
- Godly Counsel: Surround yourself with clever believers who look to the scriptures and the Spirit to guide their lives. Ask for his or her input, encouragement, and correction.
- Faith Over Fear: When faced with fear, select faith—imagine that God is for you and can lead you thru.
Choosing the Right Map and Guide
Captain Pollard’s story is a tragic reminder of what happens after we let fear and human wisdom dictate our course. But it also serves as a call to trust in God’s perfect map and guide. When we depend on His Word and the Holy Spirit, we are able to navigate life’s challenges with confidence, overcome fear, and find the peace, purpose, and strength that come from walking in His will.
As you reflect on the story of the Essex, may it encourage you to give up fully to God’s guidance. For in His hands, even the darkest storms can change into pathways to growth, healing, and transformation that can lead you home to that port you’re sailing towards across the ocean.
Suggested Verses for Further Study:
- Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust within the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your personal understanding.
- Isaiah 41:10 – Do not fear, for I’m with you; don’t be dismayed, for I’m your God.
- Psalm 32:8 – I’ll instruct you and teach you in the way in which it is best to go.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/John M Lund Photography Inc
He has testified before the U.S. Congress on persecution and has been interviewed or quoted by a lot of the world’s top media outlets, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the BBC.
He is a three-time creator, and his podcast is Faith Under Fire, where he helps Christians deepen and defend their faith.
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