A Scary Holiday

Since it is Halloween, there have been so many commercials, movies, TV shows, haunted houses, and even decorations about scary things lately. In the past, you could always see how fake these things were. But with today’s technology, scary horror movies can be very realistic, can’t they? Sometimes they can be too real!

Now, I’m not one of those people that likes scary movies. (That’s why I have a puppy picture posted here.) I’d rather laugh than scream any day.  Even mildly scary films make me uneasy. To me, I can’t see the fun in spending $12 to $15 for two hours of fear! I remember in the past when I could go to the movies for 50 cents! But I still would not spend that on a scary movie!

A Very Scary Movie — To Me Anyway!

Many years ago, I saw a scary movie on television called, “The Abominable Dr. Phibes.” It starred Vincent Price, a very convincingly evil actor, who played in a lot of the old horror movies. It was a late afternoon, and I was alone watching it on a small 19” black and white TV in my grandmother’s living room. To this day, I can remember most of the details of that terrifying movie. It still makes me ill to think about it. It may be the reason I can’t stand scary movies.

But many people like that kind of thing. They say it gives them an adrenaline rush. I even heard of a haunted house in Great Britain where people are required to sign a two-page waiver before they go inside. Not only do deformed creatures jump out and scare them, but they are subjected to real dangers and torture! That is crazy. You must be an odd person to want to put yourself through scary stuff like that!

Real Life Scary

Honestly, there are a lot of things in real life that can be scary enough without the fake stuff. I’m sure you can name a few as well as I can. The doctor just told you that your child has cancer. Your house was just destroyed in the recent hurricane, and you lost everything you own. The company you worked for just closed their doors, and you suddenly have no job and no way to take care of your family.  Your husband just told you he’s leaving you for someone else, and you have no idea what to do next. Now, those can be truly scary things to face. I hope none of those apply to you. But you may be facing something equally scary. Those kinds of fears can take over everything in our lives, can’t they?

I wish, my dear one, that I could make all your scary things go away. There really is nothing I can say or do that could make that happen.

Good News? Really?

Believe it or not, there is good news when you are in the depths of those scary trials: you are not alone. I know it may not feel like that right now, but you have a faithful Father who is right there beside you. He knows the pain you are feeling. He wants more than anything to comfort you.

But those scary things are still there, aren’t they? We want our problems solved right now. The pain is so deep.  We wonder if “knowing” God loves us is “enough.” That promise that God gives us in Romans 8:28 seems a bit unreal and unlikely. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”  Really? All things? It’s easy to wonder if it is true, because it sure doesn’t feel true.

God Understands Our Scary Stuff

So, what good can come out of this scary stuff we may be facing? Even in our darkest times, we can come into the presence of God, the Creator of everything. (Think about that for a moment! He made everything!). We can fall to our knees in helpless desperation, and he hears our cries. He answers our prayers immediately. Now, that doesn’t mean he erases the scary stuff, or that he puts things back the way we want them. It does mean that we will find strength and growth in our suffering.

But, I know what you may be thinking, “Grandma D, this is not the answer I want.” I have felt that way many times, too. That is why he is God and I am not. He knows what we need better than we do. When we are drawn to him, we can trust that there are better days ahead even when it doesn’t feel like it. Just knowing that he listens when I call out to him gives me such comfort. And though things still feel scary and I may not understand it, I know that God will always give me what is best for me, when it is best for me.

God is Always There

Many years ago, author Vaneetha Risner wrote these helpful thoughts about “What Good Can Come from Suffering?” I think you might enjoy reading it. Here’s the link: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-good-can-come-from-suffering

Honestly, God does not promise that we will be happy. He promises us his presence and peace and his salvation. That eternal joy is far better than any fleeting happiness. The pain, struggles, and trials in this life are nothing compared to being with him in heaven someday. Not being there? Now that would be really scary!

Prayer:

Dear Father, we know you promise to be with us always – even when we are hurting and feel all alone. Please help us to feel your presence, rest in your arms, and lean on your promises. Only with you will our tough things be less scary. Our hope is always in you. But if you choose to take our pain away and make things okay again, we would like that, too.

In Jesus’ name, AMEN.