“A Christian Critic”
As I watched the new movie, “Inside Out 2,” I was surprised by how well written the story of emotions became. If you are unfamiliar with the film, the movie revolves around a girl named Riley navigating life with each emotion portrayed as an actual character. Joy, Anger, Sadness and Fear are a few from the first movie, and Anxiety, Envy and Ennui(bored/discontent) are added in the sequel. As Riley deals with the pressures of teenage life, each emotion fights for her attention and leaves Riley overwhelmed with a lack of direction.
I loved how the producers created a visual for how we all, both kids and adults, move through life with a wide range of emotions. Yet, I couldn’t help but think how great it would be if Hollywood shocked us and added the ultimate answer and fulfillment of our longings within us-Jesus Christ.
If we, as God’s children, wrote the script it might go something like this….
As Riley walks into peer pressure, she becomes consumed with anxiety as people pleasing steps to the forefront of her mind and replaces God’s truth from Ephesians 1:4-5, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”
Exhaustion shifts into gear as her thoughts run wild with envy and discontent as she battles her flesh with comparison. Proverbs 14:30 echoes in her mind shouting, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones,” yet she doubts her ability to surrender the overwhelming desire to be accepted by others. Eventually the natural emotions her Heavenly Father created within her, such as joy, becomes entangled with expectations that lead to discontentment and anger. The words, “You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with the joy of your presence,” from Psalms 16:11 whispers through the turmoil.
As she becomes overwhelmed with the pressures of life, she finds herself on her knees asking, “where do I go from here,” and God’s Word reminds her, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you,” as The Creator of the world meets her right where she is in life.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed Inside Out 2 from a secular perspective, but I found joy as a believer in knowing my joy is not circumstantial, but anchored in God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ in my life. Shedding Jesus’ light from the movie’s message to our kids offered opportunity for perspective and growth as they navigate this world, just like Riley.
We all have a little Riley in us, battling the desire for acceptance, feeling overwhelmed with the ‘what ifs’ of life, pushing towards a goal. Whichever situation you find yourself in and whatever emotion is knocking at your door, stop and consider who’s writing your story….God’s right there with you, ready to guide you to a healthy response.
Daily consumption of scripture, a desire to grow in the knowledge of God, and time spent meditating on His attributes are all great avenues to help be on guard for the overwhelming moments.
