Sometimes a good film can restore our faith

"And he told them many things in parables."

- Matthew 31:58 (NIV)

I was in sixth grade when I sat in the movie theater and watched in Technicolor as Noah built the ark, Moses parted the Red Sea, and a young boy slew a giant. It was the epic film about the Bible. It was awesome watching the stories come to life on the big screen.

There's times the realities of life and love can penetrate our hearts and minds through a good movie. We are fortunate to be born in a time where God can use vision, such as in television or movies, to incorporate our senses of sight and sound to grow us spiritually.

Over the years, I have heard some preachers warn to stay away from TV or movies. On the flip side, I've been to churches where we've had a movie night. Many participants gathered together with their popcorn to have camaraderie and entertainment while they watched a film that portrayed Christian virtues of faith and hope.

Since my childhood, I learned a lot from mixing faith and film. I grew up in a time where old cowboy movies depicted the good guys in the white hats who always won over the bad. I was riveted to the screen, watching heroes and heroines fight valiant battles.

Something takes place inside of you when you partner with a character who finds romance amid a broken heart. Or someone beats all odds fighting their way from being penniless to prosperous.

These shows strengthen our souls with courage, tenacity and determination to carry on. And as we cheer on the characters, belief rises up in our hearts that it's possible to overcome the bad breaks of our own lives.

These modern times bring us some amazing movies utilizing spiritual truth. We've watched as angels in the outfield helped a Little League team win. We've seen true stories of sports coaches or players who have won championships as they persevered amid losses, ridicule and betrayal.

We've awed in wonder at biographies of people who, when disabled, depressed or mentally ill, through faith, discovered purpose and meaning to their lives.

These stories often soothe our senses when we feel no one understands our lives, but somehow these people do.

Nowadays, with Netflix and other movie channels, families sit around the TV in place of the old campfire to hear stories that films can provide. Whatever our mood, we can pick and choose what we need - romantic, funny or dramatic.

When we need to strengthen our faith, we can watch Bible stories. They make the Bible come alive as we watch Jesus heal the sick and perform miracles, right before our eyes.

I think when choosing a flick, we might pray and ask God to show us the one that will speak to our hearts and transform our minds on our spiritual journey.

I don't endorse becoming couch potatoes, but when we're feeling emotionally burned out or stressed, a bit of movie therapy can place us back on the right path.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. Annettee can be contacted at Annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413. She is available to speak to your group or be a personal life coach.