The Perils of Penelope Pitstop: Overcoming the Damsel in Distress-Part 2

Over a year ago I published my first blog, entitled "The Perils of Penelope Pitstop: Overcoming the Damsel in Distress" during a time when I was feeling down and inadequate about myself and my life. Things have since gotten a lot better for me. I started working in a Senior Living home as a dining room attendant/server, where I discovered the true career field I want to be in because of the bond I developed with the residents. In addition, I began attending an excellent church that taught me so much about the Bible and about Jesus Christ.

This church and my newfound faith in Jesus has changed my life and my outlook on life and has allowed me to trust more and more in the plans God has for me. I'm glad I wrote my blog when I did, but I do regret not completing it after I started attending my church because I have new ideas that I am proud to share!

In case anyone is unfamiliar with the Perils of Penelope Pitstop, it was an old Hanna Barbera cartoon about Penelope Pitstop, a damsel in distress who continuously fell into the hands of her archenemy, the Hooded Claw, little knowing that the Hooded Claw was her guardian, Sylvester Sneekly, a man determined to murder her so he can inherit her family fortune. In every episode, the Claw put Penelope in numerous deathtraps; but Penelope either escapes the traps on her own or her ever-present protectors, the Ant Hill Mob, come to rescue her.

 Even though things have gotten better for me since I started attending my church and made the decision to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I still feel like I'm Penelope Pitstop, constantly dealing with the Hooded Claw and all his deathtraps. All people are damsels (or dudes) in distress in their own ways, and as I've said before, the deathtraps they face are not quite those that involve explosives, sharp steel spikes or falling ceilings, but life problems of their own.

In today's troubled society, it seems so many people have been captured by the Hooded Claw, or in this case, The devil, and have been tied to his deathtrap of sin and darkness. But as long we allow Jesus into our lives and into our hearts and keep believing that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah and that he died on the cross for our sins and rose again from the dead, we can escape the clutches of hardship, sin, and darkness in the same way Penelope Pitstop escapes the clutches of the Hooded Claw!

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

 An example of one of the deathtraps in life that Christians like me face is pressure, whether it's pressure from society or people you know. In this troubled world where we've all sinned and fall short and where more and more people have distanced themselves from the light, it can be difficult and may even feel awkward for as a devoted Christian to feel like they belong. I was a bridesmaid in my cousin/best friend's wedding this Spring and at her bachelorette party I had a panic attack in the bathroom of the nightclub the bridal party went to because the risque theme of the nightclub made me morally uncomfortable, so I could not stay. Thankfully the other girls understood and my other best friend escorted me back to the hotel room we stayed at. But not everyone is understanding.

This is an example of how pressure, even internal pressure, can cause a sense of awkwardness in Christians like myself, because we do not want to disobey God. I don't think Penelope has ever had to deal with peer pressure on the show, but she was not one to allow the Hooded Claw and his constant scheming to bother her or make her unhappy, nor did she allow him to stop her from doing what she loved!

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13

 We cannot let pressure make us unhappy or cause us to feel awkward about being devoted Christians. The only way we can escape Satan's deathtrap of pressure is to stick with our faith and our values and to remain consistent and committed, keeping our eyes on the heavenly prize of eternal life through Christ.

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. 1 Corinthians 1:13-14

 Another example of deathtraps in the lives of Christians is fear. By fear I don't mean the fear of God, because it is a positive thing. I mean the fear of certain things, as well as anxiety and worrying. I know fear is a natural thing and that every single person has a fear of something, but sometimes we get so caught up in these fears and worries that we tend to forget to give them to God and trust him.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

I have anxiety so my worries tend to get the best of me sometimes. But prior to giving my life to Christ and accepting him into my life and my heart, I was always falling into the clutches of anxiety and often found myself tied to anxiety's deathtraps of fears of imperfection, the future and where my life was going to go, headaches, frequent crying and obsessing over silly problems (which is also part of my Autism Spectrum). Because of the anxiety, I was put on Sertraline medications, but they were not enough. The only way I could escape the clutches of anxiety and fear was to read my Bible and pray.

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

 Also, this summer, just two weeks after my birthday, I got into a car accident on my way to work. Because of the accident, I was afraid to drive because I'm still scared of certain intersections and that I might get into another accident.

In the show, as mentioned in my previous blog, Penelope often finds various ways to escape the Hooded Claw's deathtraps through her own ideas, such as using an axe blade in an old theatre to cut the ropes binding her or using a whistle to call her horse to get her out of a shed filled with dangerous explosives, and she was not one to let fear consume her even when she was caught in deathtraps. Instead of letting fear and anxiety consume me, I often escape their clutches through praying, reading a chapter or more in my Bible and making time to study important verses.

 Even prior to accepting Jesus into my life, I always believed in the power of a prayer and that God listens to everyone's prayers. But it's up to us to do our part by waiting upon his answers with patience, courage, strength, faith and hope. When I first started praying in times of fear, I noticed a huge change in my emotions and how much happier I was, and I believe it was the Lord saying, "I heard your prayer and have seen the fears you are dealing with. I'll take care of them so you can walk in faith and peace."

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

Because praying to God has helped me escape Satan's deathtrap of fear, I pray when I'm worried about something or someone, before and after driving, and before I start the work day.

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? Psalm 56: 3-4

 Although this was a subject in my previous blog, I'm going to use it again because these are examples of Hooded Claws in the lives of people. These Hooded Claws being bullies and mean girls. Christians are especially the targets of bullying and put-downs because of their views and practices and these bullies and mean girls consist of people who just don't fully grasp why the Bible is so important and only wish to pursue their own sinful desires.

God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. Matthew 5: 11-12

In today's world of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest), I too often see other Christians being cyberbullied by atheist users. We all know the saying, "Haters gonna hate," and even though I so far have not been targeted, bullied or put down by anyone because of my faith in Christ and my practices, I know how important it is to prepare myself for being bullied for my Christianity.

Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6: 11-17.

Penelope's best friends and protectors, the Ant Hill Mob (Clyde, Dum Dum, Yak Yak, Softy, Pockets, Snoozy and Zippy), always come to her rescue when the deathtraps she gets caught in are more difficult to get out of herself. Even though they'd mess up at times, the Ant Hill Mob always has Penelope's back and she feels a sense of joy and peace when she's with them.

 In this case, fellow Christians from school, friends from church and pastors can be referred to as Christians' "Ant Hill Mobs" because when a Christian is surrounded with them, he or she can feel peace and joy being around others who share the same faith and passion for Christ, as well as protection from bullies and mean girls who threaten them for it. I have been able to find peace and protection with fellow Christians by taking part in church groups and Christmas Choir, participating in Bible studies, volunteering at Vacation Bible School at my church, and hanging out with friends from school who share my love for Christ.

I've never been bullied or betrayed by a school friend, but I still remember when I had my heart broken by two managers at two different work places. One at a dog grooming place I worked at for a week and a half, and another at the same Senior Living home I worked at for a year. Though I was hurt and upset by what these two managers did, I knew I couldn't hold a grudge against them forever, and getting even with them is certainly not the answer.

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18

As tempting as it may be to get even with those who hurt us, it will not do anyone any favors. Instead, we must forgive them just as I have learned to forgive the people who hurt me and pray for them. Whenever I watch the show, I'll imagine Penelope, given her kind and gentle heart, forgives the Hooded Claw and the Bully Brothers and prays for them, despite the trouble they cause her.

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. Matthew 5:44-45

But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. Luke 6:27-28

 One more example of Hooded Claws in the lives of people, as mentioned in my "Part One" blog, is life itself. This again can be anything in life such as bills, school and more.

 As described in "Part One", Penelope's guardian, Sylvester Sneekly performs as a kind man who cares for Penelope and her welfare dearly, but only when he's around Penelope. Even as Sneekly, his villainy shines through but Penelope only sees his evil when he's the Hooded Claw.

Life is just like that for every single one of us. Life either treats us kindly or ties us to its deathtraps of hardships and stress. Things in life that give us stress include but are not limited to moving, schoolwork, exams, work difficulties, illnesses and deaths of loved ones, and money issues.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4

Despite the stress of the Hooded Claw's nonstop captures and deathtraps, Penelope keeps her courage, stays calm and positive, and works her way out of the stress through her own ideas or with the Ant Hill Mob's help. When stress and hardships come our way, it is important to turn to God in prayer and to trust him to pull us through. I imagine that when Penelope gets put in a deathtrap, she prays that the Ant Hill Mob finds her or that she comes up with an escape plan and that the Lord will help her through.

For I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you. I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land. Jeremiah 29:11-14

This is my command-be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Although everything has let up for me since I started going to my church and since I welcomed Jesus into my life and into my heart as my Lord and Savior, I still feel like Penelope Pitstop running into the Hooded Claw and all his deathtraps. But I also realize that no matter how devoted we are to God and no matter how much faith we have in him, we are all Penelope Pitstop and we ALL have many Hooded Claws and deathtraps to face. But we can all overcome our inner damsels (and dudes) in distress! In the same way Penelope Pitstop uses clever plans to escape the Hooded Claw's clutches, even with the Ant Hill Mob's assistance, we can also escape the clutches of Satan and life's problems through praying to God, reading and studying the Bible, and laying our trust on our real ever-present protector, Jesus Christ, who will always be the Son of God, the Messiah, and our Lord and Savior!

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.' John 7:37-38