Overcoming Fear

Batman Begins was released in 2005, but still captivates me.  This is a storyline articulating how the Batman came to be.  Batman has always been a darker superhero, and one with no superpowers.  He is the ultimate vigilante.  But how does a person become a superhero?

This movie discusses that it was fear that motivated Bruce Wayne.  Fear that he desperately wanted to overcome.  As a child, Bruce fell into a well, broke his arm, and was overcome by bats.  Bats terrified him ever since.  As an adult, he would experience paralyzing nightmares.  Shortly after this fall, Bruce watched his parents get murdered on the streets.  He grew up angry, fearful and alone.

Bruce resolved to face his fears head-on.  He trained to avenge his parents' murder.  When attempting to develop an alter ego, he remembered his old fear of bats.  When asked by Alfred, his faithful butler and caretaker, "Why bats, sir?", he simply says, "Bats frighten me.  It's time my enemies share my dread."  He chose to use what still frightens him for his strength.

How many times does God help us with our paralyzing fears?  There are many examples of people who had fear in the Bible.  I'd like to focus on David, who wrote about fear so much in the Psalms.  Every time David experienced fear, he also remembered his God, and called on him in faith.  God would provide comfort and strength for David when he needed it.

I have experienced fear that has been powerful enough to affect my decisions.  When I was little, I was afraid of a neighborhood dog, so much that I found other ways to go home.  Today I have a different fear.  I am painfully shy, so much that I would avoid social situations if I could.  However, in my job, in my life, it is not allowable to be hidden in a retreat, so I face my fears and smile.  God has given me strength to teach children, and later to teach their teachers.  I found the strength to deliver training to my adult peers.  God gave me the gift of teaching.  I still struggle to be social in social gatherings, but God makes sure there is at least one friendly person in the mix I can talk with.

What fears do you have that God can (or has) help you overcome?  I'd love to hear your examples.  In the meantime, experience these words of comfort from David.

The Lord is my light and my salvation -

so why should I be afraid?

The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,

so why should I tremble?

When evil people come to devour me,

when my enemies and foes attack me,

they will stumble and fall.

Though a mighty army surrounds me,

my heart will not be afraid.

Even if I am attacked,

I will remain confident.

Wait patiently for the Lord.

Be brave and courageous.

Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

~Psalm 27:1-3, 14 (NLT)

Are you Hiding?

Who was the real hero of Gotham?

I was able to watch the latest Batman movie on the opening weekend.  As I watched it, I was compelled by the characters that surrounded the title hero.  I loved the way Alfred goads his employer to be better.  I was compelled by the rise of another moral police officer.  I even enjoyed watching Catwoman struggle between doing the right thing and doing the selfish thing.  The Batman character was well done, but for some reason, I couldn't identify with him.

I found myself instead focusing on the humanness of the character of Commissioner Gordon.  I pained with him in his longtime coverup of what really happened.  Of his compulsion to allow Truth to emerge.  Of his decision to allow personal pain continue for the greater good.  What really compelled me into his character was his continued resolution to justice.  He was always concerned about the citizens of Gotham.  He continued to work even in the dark days of snow, when all hope was lost.  And in his weakness, he was able to save Gotham.

How can someone so weak become someone so important?  He was able to motivate others to fight with him.  He found them hiding, and compelled them to come out and stand with him.  He would not hide.  His actions remind me of the events on 9-11 and what must have taken place on the fourth plane. These people stood together and fought.  They effected change for the greater good.  We need to live our lives championing for the rights of one another.  We cannot afford to run away and hide.  We will not tolerate the bullying of others.  We will stand together to fight.

If you are a believer in Christ, but you are afraid to speak about Him, or to live your life out loud for Him, then you are hiding.  Find others.  Stand together and fight for the lives of the lost.  They need you.

"Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ.  Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people's trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition.  Your courage and unity will show them what they're up against: defeat for them, victory for you -- and both because of God."  (Philippians 1:27-28 MSG)