Denis, Olivia and I love a good family movie and this past weekend we watched the animated movie The Croods. First of all, where has the movie been?! It’s adorable! We were laughing (and crying at times) through the whole movie which is based on a cave family seeking to survive the elements. After years of hiding in their cave to survive, the main character, Eep, has enough and exclaims to her dad, “that wasn’t LIVING! That was just… not dying! There’s a difference.” She wanted more to life than just survival, she wanted to thrive, to dream of a better tomorrow.
I don’t know about you, but there are seasons or moments in life, especially during moments of the last eighteen plus months that can feel like survival. There’s bad news that hits us every day. And it’s true that there is a necessity to be aware, to understand what’s going on and respond in how I feel I’m supposed to. But, if I stay there too long, fear can start to creep in, and life might seem like survival. I can become entrenched into trying to figure things out in my own strength, worrying about the future with endless “what if” statements and living in fear for the next “wave” of further bad news. I start to interpret news as truth, rather than simply an update on recent events. I have to shift my perspective and come back to my foundation of faith and let that truth inform how I see the world.
Just like Eep and her sentiments to her Dad, I refuse to live a life of just surviving. I want to live and enjoy the moment I’ve been gifted: today. When fear starts to try to creep in and capture my heart, I respond with faith. I carry my worries to God’s more-than-capable hands, trusting that He hears my heart and is in control. I read the Bible to be reminded that God is sovereign over all, loves me beyond measure and will guide me daily if I let Him. I listen to worship music to be reminded of God’s goodness. Simply put: I spend time in God’s presence. Each day I have to intentionally wake up and seek God to maintain my focus on what I know will carry me through. Now don’t get me wrong, this isn’t meant to sound easy and I’m far from perfect when it comes to this. Fear comes after me, just the same as it does for you. We’re human and often our emotions can get the best of us. This also isn’t to discount the trials that we’ve had or are currently experiencing; the Bible is clear that there is a season to everything in life. We simply have to make sure that our emotions and our season doesn’t become a lifestyle. Survival or living? Fear or faith? There is a difference.
Sharing a few scriptures below that have been great to review as I set my mind to maintaining peace:
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body.” Proverbs 14:30
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world.” Ephesians 6:12
“ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ ” Jeremiah 29:11
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.” Proverbs 3:24
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