Disclaimer: This theatre scenario you’re about to read is trivial compared to some of the fears we face in life. But God has always proven Himself faithful to meet me in my fears — from the irrational to the devastatingly valid ones — and minister peace when I seek after Him.

 
I took my two boys to the dollar theatre the other night. A creepy dollar theatre. I should have known to beware when yellow caution tape marked a huge X on one of the outside doors.

We got there about 10 minutes early — a record for my fashionably late self. We bought our dollar tickets and $4 popcorn. Scandalous. And we walked the long, winding, dim corridor to our movie.

You have to understand. Years and years ago, when I was a teen and before I knew freedom from fear, I fed my fears by watching horror movies. One movie in particular came rushing back to my mind when we walked that lonely, dirty corridor. The image involved…well you don’t need to know. I had to shake it off with a happy, upbeat, “Let me get your picture boys! It’s our date night!” I took it as evidence that we were indeed in this establishment.

 

 

Sadly, the hallway was better than the actual theatre. We opened the door to a dark, silent, beat-up room. There were about five chairs with huge pieces of plastic draped over them. Not sure if they were broken or if they were individual crime scenes. A few more chairs had rips in the faux-leather seats. The huge curtains that hung on the sides of the theatre were stained and greasy-looking. The ground was sticky from years of soda buildup. It smelled like feet. And I was sure we’d leave with lice.

This is about when I started quoting Scripture to myself, keeping a smile on my face so my boys couldn’t pick up any fear vibes.

We found a seat and both my boys looked at me, one voicing their concern, “Mommy, can we wait in the car until the movie starts?” “Why?” I asked. “It’s just…not good in here,” he said. Not good. Not good? Try “this is the setting for a horror film I once saw”. I didn’t say that. I just reassured them with a half-hearted, “It’s fine in here. We’ll be fine.”

Meanwhile I texted my husband. And my sister. “Has there ever been any major crimes in the dollar theatre over on $@#& Rd.?” Anonymity. They both said “no”, but I didn’t believe them.

My boys kept on with the “Can we just wait in the car? Can I sit on your lap?” So I told them I would walk around the theatre to prove that it was safe. All the while wondering what I would use as a weapon should someone be crouched in one of the rows. We walked. And no one was there.

“See. It’s fine. The movie will start in 7 minutes. Let’s sit and remember what’s true.” So I reminded them, “God is with us and He’s bigger and stronger and greater than anyone or anything in the universe. Or in this theatre. And regardless of what happens, we can trust Him to be faithful. To be for us.”

The last five minutes ticked really slow while I tried to distract them with Bible verses…and Temple Run. Finally the lights went out and the movie came on. But I have to admit. I turned on my phone’s camera and reversed it so I could see behind me just in case someone decided to sneak up on us. It was what a spy would do because I’m spy-like.

Finally about three minutes into the movie other people started filtering in. Like somewhat normal-looking people. Even a few kids with their parents. So my boys and I relaxed a little. My youngest even slipped down into his own seat. And the fear melted.

 

Fear

Fear. It’s real. It may be irrational or unnecessary. Not in my case but in some cases. It may be legitimate or absolutely expected. Regardless, we feel it. We enter a situation that we can’t control, and fear comes. But when it does we have two really huge choices to make.

One, regardless of the degree or validity of the fear, we can choose to either begin with God or begin with the situation. We can choose to turn our thoughts to the One reigning over the circumstance or we can choose to let our minds go down roads of “what ifs”. One route brings peace; the other brings…more fear. Debilitating, life-stealing fear.

The second thing we can (often) choose is isolation or community. When people started filtering into that theatre, all of our fears slowly subsided because God created us as social creatures. We’re meant to be in relationships. Authentic community helps us overcome our fear.

The enemy wants to isolate us, because there in the lonely places he can whisper lies that we’re prone to believe. But when we voice our fears in the presence of sincere, Christian community, they can take our hands and lead us to God’s throne-room in prayer. And that’s the only place to find true, lasting peace in the midst of scary, unwanted, unrequested storms.

 

“You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off;
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:9-10

 

I have to be honest. A few of my most gripping fears have become realities at different points in my life. But here’s an awesome truth. God is still God. He still ministers hope and peace when we find refuge in Him, even if the fear becomes tangible reality. He has grace for our today. And He’s over every aspect of His child’s life.

Fear may come knocking. But in Christ, it isn’t our inheritance. It doesn’t have to be our dwelling place. Peace and rest is rightfully ours as adopted children of the Almighty Father.

Who knew that theatre would stir up so much.

 
Fill me, Lord…

How do you overcome fears when they arise?