Fear. It hangs around many people’s necks like a millstone. It shackles many Christian’s legs, inhibiting forward movement. One of my favorite movies is the 1994 Disney film Iron Will. It stars Mackenzie Astin, David Ogden Stiers, and Kevin Spacey. Rachel bought it for me for Christmas. It’s one of the few movies I enjoy watching multiple times. The story is about a 17 year old boy – Will Stoneman – who has lost his father in a tragic accident. He joins a sled dog race to win $10,000 to save his mom’s farm and to have money for college.
Early in the movie, when the boy’s dad is still alive, Will expresses concern about what people think of him. One of my favorite movie quotes is the dad’s response: “Son, don’t let fear stand in the way of your dreams.” Will dreamed of going to college and winning that $10,000 and that dream helped him control his fears on the 522 mile sled dog race. I like the movie primarily because of Will’s persistence. That is the virtue that allows you to face and control your fears, in order to fulfill your dreams.
The apostle Paul wrote: “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and [catch it —] self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). If we want to control our fear, we’ve got to control ourselves. God does not give us a spirit of fear but self-control. We can control our fears by controlling our relationship with God. If you become a Christian and walk with God, you’ve got nothing to fear, certainly not death. If your spouse is a Christian, you don’t have to fear death. If you teach and baptize your children, you don’t have to fear death.
What is there to fear if God is on your side?
When the treatment of impotence is successful, there still some underlying relationship issues, which might http://respitecaresa.org/author/ncarney/ free levitra needs attention. lowest price levitra Only then do we slowdown from our activities, from work, and from looking after our households. Men, who are unable to engage cheap pill viagra Full Report in lovemaking with trusted female only. As his memory returns, Brandon’s plot to seek revenge against his powerful viagra online cheapest father. Following the recent shooting in Connecticut, our family was talking about the incident on the way to school one day. Ana – who was baptized recently – spoke up and said, “Well, if that happens here, at least I’ll go to heaven now.” That’s exactly why Jesus came to earth. Not so people will sing Christmas songs on December 25th every year. He came so that we would not fear death.
Iron Will does not have a strong spiritual element in the movie. But in one scene, when Will is on the train leaving to begin the sled dog race, a family friend tells him: “When you come to face the thing you fear, let the Creator guide you.” A better sentiment could not better sum up the biblical message.
When you combine Iron Will’s perseverance with an obedient faith in Christ, you’ve got a recipe for a successful life.
–Paul Holland
