Everyday life can be filled with unexpected, unwanted and unexplainable challenges. As a husband, father of two, and a journalist, I have a front row seat to many of those maddening moments.
That reality is why I never voluntarily visit places where horror and fear are the intended goals. That list of places includes roller coasters, haunted houses at amusements parks, and horror films.
But I recently broke my rule of resisting terror. I accepted an invitation to screen the supernatural horror film "The Conjuring 2" to meet members of the cast and crew.
I swallowed my nerves and for the love of our Studio 5 friends and family. And the very first moment of fright came only minutes after I took a seat in the dark Los Angeles theater.
The opening credits ominously reminded me the story was based on real life events and the lives of Ed and Lorraine Warren. Their demonology work inspired The Amityville Horror book and the highly successful 2013 "Conjuring" film.
"The Conjuring 2" takes the devout Catholics to Endfield, near London, to solve another case of unexplainable evil activity.
I was prepared to be scared when the film began, and I was not disappointed. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat, unable to eat the bag of popcorn clutched tightly between my knees.
But there were some surprising elements of relief amidst the scary. The first break from the film's fright came from the woman in the chair next to me. It was clear to see her fear was even more palpable than my own. I had to fight back laughter when I glanced in her direction to notice her arms extended, as if she was trying to keep the furniture being tossed about in the film from flying off the screen and hitting her.
And while I fought not to scream or make a sound, she didn't hold back. She even shouted orders to the characters on film.
My other break from fear came from the film itself. There were beautifully placed reminders that God is the only source of victory over evil, no matter how big, bizarre, or bullying it may appear.
As I saw and heard those reminders, I thought about how often we play God small in our daily lives. If God is greater than the ugliest and most demonic forms of evil, he is certainly more powerful than troubles and cares that so easily upset us.
Those cares include illness, financial struggles, heartbreak - and you can add your concerns to this unending list. God is greater than them all, and He has given you the power to be victorious in Him.
As I sit and reflect on the film hitting theaters Friday, June 10, I am moved by the lesson it taught. At the same time, it is funny that a lesson about the power of God came from a couple of hours in a horror film.