Spiritual Things of Stranger Things
Spiritual lessons from the hit show “Stranger Things”.
I loved Stranger Things. It is one of my favorite shows of all time. If you haven’t seen it, stop reading this now and go fire up Netflix. Prepare for your productivity levels to plummet.
My brain likes to find correlations with popular culture and spiritual truths. I love Stranger Things so much I wrote down some spiritual lessons expressed in the show. Warning: Spoilers ahead. You’ve been warned.
- Friendships are Life
One of the main themes of Stranger Things is the strong bond of friendship between the main characters.
The characters were a tight knit group of friends who laughed, fought, and cried together. They had each other’s back. Sometimes the relationships were strained, and you even thought some fights would sever ties. However, that never happened. I heard someone say, “Life is about relationships. The rest is just details.”
Action Idea: Is there a friendship that needs to be mended? Can you call that person today?
Bible Verse: Proverbs 18:24 — “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”
2. Choose to Love
I thought I would only do one point on friendship, but I have some more examples popping in my head.
I love, love, love when Mike committed to helping Eleven. Yet, not everyone was on board. Lucas was totally against Eleven when they found out about her powers, but Mike made a concrete decision to love and serve Eleven. Sure. He had a crush on her. But Mike saw someone who needed help, and he sacrificed to help her.
Action Idea: Someone needs help. Can you help them? You might have to sacrifice time, energy, money, and reputation. But they need you.
Bible Verse: Colossians 3:12 — Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
3. Don’t Be Near Pools At Night
Ha! Just kidding. #justiceforbarb
4. Never Quit
Joyce Byers never quit. Despite all that was thrown at her, including the “death” of Will, she never gave up. She fought. She cried. She was resourceful. It was moving to see this character thrown into a difficult situation and yet remain resolute.
Action Idea: Never quit. Ever.
Bible Verse: Proverbs 24:16-A righteous person may fall seven times, but he gets up again
5. Bad Things Happen, But You Can Still Live (Super 8)
This is my last point. Seriously, I could go on all day with spiritual lessons learned, but I need to go film a commercial. Maybe you could add some things that impressed you in the comment section.
Let me just say this. I love the redemptive story of Sheriff Hopper. It’s an amazing character development. At first, you think he’s a waste…a complete loser. Yet, as strange things begin to happen, Hooper’s courage rises up. As a matter of fact, Hopper becomes the main hero next to Eleven. In the season finale, you find out something really bad happened to him, and then you begin to understand why he is the way he is.
Action Idea: Bad things happen, but you can still live. Have you gone through a tragedy? I’m not making light of your situation. You can still live. It make take a while, but you will make a comeback.
Action Idea #2: Not everyone that is a “waste” or a “loser” in your eyes is a result of their own doing. Perhaps, they experienced something that nearly destroyed them. You may have turned out the same way if you faced what they faced. Give people a second chance. You haven’t walked in their shoes, and you don’t know the pain they experienced.
Job 33:28-”God rescued me from the grave, and now my life is filled with light.’ “Yes, God does these things again and again for people. He rescues them from the grave so they may enjoy the light of life.”
After writing this, I need to go watch Stranger Things again. Good bye for a week!
