I’m a wimp. I’ll just say it. Give me a happy ending for Bambi, or give me another version of a baby deer and bunny thumping and safe mamas. My kids all preach the same: “That’s not real life, moooom.” Why? Why do my kids have to be so adultish sometimes? There are those incidences though—in our lives, in our marriage, in our faith—that we have to fight! And not just fight. We have to battle and go to the mat. (Not that I’ve ever gone to an actual mat, but doesn’t it sound brave.)
I’ve discussed this particular issue with my accountability partner. The sin I battled ten years ago, and thought was down for the count, comes back to life and trips me up with a new kind of strength. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1
Sin only grows to weigh us down. We must get rid of it and run with clenched fists and open hearts, because we’re not alone. God’s got this. And there is a happy ending!
When I was a kid (boy that makes me sound old), but when I was young…er, I was trapped by two boys who held me captive on a tire swing. This sounds less than terrifying, I know. But after being teased, taunted, and slammed against the trunk of a tree for a child’s account of forever—I knew I had to either wait it out, or jump. I jumped. Once my body hit the dust and I felt the dirt sticking to my tears like glue, I rallied with a guttural, “Huh-uh!” All I can say is, “Boys do to run like girls. Ya-huh.”
It’s difficult to remember, when we swing in a hole of aloneness, that Jesus is the warrior beside us. And we will not be tormented by the enemy. We are not held captive—but free to sprint and drop weightless to the ground. We can untangle sin and chase the enemy. Why? Because we are God’s child. Also, we are really good at battling…almost too good…like superpower good. And here’s why:
Because Christ fought sin and we won. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6: 23
Because we can fight in faith and rest in grace. We can approach the battle with confidence. In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds. Let your sharp arrow pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; let the nation fall beneath your feet. Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. Psalm 45:4-6 Beautiful. Majestic. Bold. We are sufficient to stand in the shadow of His prize fight. And win!
Because Jesus fights for us. You are from God and have overcome them, for he is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4. And intercedes for us. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Romans 8:34
Because we have the superpower we need. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…Acts 1:8
And because the enemy runs like a girl. “Yah-huh!” And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10…
And also, because God is simply the one writing our story,
there’s this:
Thee Happy Ending
About Beth Deuwel:
Beth Duewel is a wife and a mama of three almost grown-ups. Yes. She is still rooting for Bambi. Check out her book due to launch July 2017, Fix-Her-Upper: Hope and Laughter Through a God Renovated Life. Co-authored by Rhonda Rhea! Her blog, Fix-Her-Upper Life Renovated, is a must see and has lots and lots of happy endings too! She hopes to see you there.
Kelly’s new book, Fear Fighting: Awakening Courage to Overcome Your Fears has been called “A must read,” “Breathtakingly honest” and a “Great Toolbox to Overcome Fear.” Read it today.
Discover how to flee from fear and fly in faith through 4 Days to Fearless Challenge.
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I cheer fo Bambi too. I once even applied for a Disney fellowship. Some of these louder, hyper new movies just don’t cut it. I am relegated to watcihing older movies and progams, one show I like had two different episode where the girl dies before getting married. Guess it worked so well once they tried again, with a different character. Where are the happy endings? Jesus writes them.
Sorry about typos…
I too want Bami to win. So true we have to remember God is with us and fight.
I didn’t realize there is a word for me ‘a happy ender!’ It is my preference to read, see or hear about…that something worked out, someone was rescued, etc. But that is not always good or as your children say, not realistic. If every time we attempted something, we already knew would be successful, we would get bored with trying. Trusting God eliminates fear!