It’s probably safe to say that the past year and some change were totally unexpected. So much happened at a speed where it was incredibly difficult to keep up. From worldwide struggles and personal struggles, last year had a lot of fear that was out of our control. In these moments it can be easy to just have a mindset of giving up because everything feels out of control. For many, giving up was the easiest option, people’s faith was challenged as well as the way we look at the actions of others made hope scarce. In these moments it can be easy to want to give up, we see the fear that is out of our control and we choose to no longer have hope. In these moments, we must face those fears out of our control, because we have a God who has overcome all fear.
This post is a tad late, partially due to this week being a fall break of seminary, and partially because the enemy has been making it difficult to write about not giving up. Last week, we looked at a movie about facing the fears and trouble we have made for ourselves, but this week, I want to talk about how to face fear that is out of our control. This week’s movie is titled, The Giant Spider Invasion, very creepy, but when you watch the movie, the “giant spiders” from space are rarely visible (because it’s cheaper, I mean scarier if you don’t see them). I recommend you watch this as a Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode, where they watch it and make jokes at this movie. What I love about this movie, is that in its’ silliness, this Wisconsin town has to deal with a fear that is out of their control. No spells in graveyards brought this issue, it just happened that spiders came from space.
Life has a way of throwing challenges at all of us, some harder than others, and in these moments, we have a choice. We can allow the challenge to control us, or we can face the challenge and grow.
Scripture says in John 16:33 that, “In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world.” Jesus is clear, we will have trouble, there is no maybe about that, but what He then encourages all of us is that He has won the battle already.
You will experience hardship, it’s who you choose to trust that will determine the outcome.
The troubles you face won’t be a poorly made giant spider with volleyball eyes, but you will face fears that are out of your control. None of us foresaw a pandemic happening, and there is a great deal of fear that came with that.
What matters is who you trust. You can place your trust in all kinds of things, yourself, politicians, money, and a myriad of other things that will never truly work. We must instead place our trust in Christ. The things of this world are broken and fall prey to sin, but we have a loving Christ who was pure and defeated death on a cross. By placing your trust in Him, you will be able to face the fears that are out of your control.
Trust is ongoing and by being intentional in your relationship with Christ, your love will increase.
I don’t want to lie here and say that by trusting God, your problems and fears will go away, or lie and say that trusting God will give you everything you desire. That is not what a relationship with Christ gives you. What He gives is the ability to rest knowing that in all things, He remains in control.
We often want control so badly, that we don’t choose to trust God in our lives, but when this happens, we become self-absorbed. Everything in centered around ourselves, but God wants us to trust Him and love like Jesus. When you fully trust God, you begin to see the importance of loving others in the midst of fear. As you trust God and grow in that relationship, you have the ability to help others have the confidence in the midst of the fears they cannot control either.
The main point is this, we will face fears out of our control, but we can place our trust in a loving God because he has defeated fear already.
I love this goofy movie because it sets up a scenario where things are completely out of control. Sometimes life feels like that, fear grips us and everything feels totally out of control. In these moments we can cling to the words of Jesus, that we will have trouble but can be encouraged because He has defeated fear. We need to begin trusting Christ with everything. The big fears and the small inconveniences, we can trust Him with it all. This means that we have to grow in relationship, you can do this by simply opening up Scripture and begin living the way Jesus did.
The chances of giant spiders from outer space are pretty slim, but there are always going to be things we couldn’t have seen coming. We need to grow in our relationship with Christ, so that we can begin facing fear out of your control.
Grow in your relationship with Christ, it’s as easy as drinking pumpkin coffee and picking up your Bible, you’ll be amazed by the love inside. I will see you next week for the finale of our lessons from b-movies, take care!
-Joshua Thomas
About the Author: Joshua Thomas is a writer by day and superhero by night. When he’s not writing and crimefighting, you can find him reading a good book, sipping warm tea, taking pictures, or dreaming. The young writer doesn’t fully know what he’s doing, but is enjoying the journey of it all. You can follow his hipster photos and Jack Kerouac musings on Instagram @joshua_thomas__
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