Michael Jordan did it all on the basketball court while winning NBA Championships and MVPs, but he also proved he could hang on the big screen by starring in his Blockbuster hit, Space Jam.

I still enjoy watching this movie which includes Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes, along with Bill Murray, Larry Bird, and Wayne Knight. I love how it goes back and forth between animation and live-action and it’s filled with good one-liners.

The movie’s plot centers around Michael Jordan having to save the Looney Tunes by taking on alien cartoons in a basketball game.

These aliens from Moron Mountain were initially tiny little creatures until they stole the basketball abilities of NBA stars, turning them into the Monstars. This sets up an epic matchup between the Monstars and the Jordan-led Looney Tunes.

Meanwhile, the NBA stars, Larry Johnson, Charles Barkley, Muggsy Bogues, Patrick Ewing, and Shawn Bradley no longer have the power to dunk, the coordination to shoot, or the speed to run.

With their high level of basketball talent being taken away from them, they’re lost, confused, and frustrated. This causes them to stop playing as they try to figure out what’s going on with them.

When watching Charles Barkley mope around, unable to even play in a pickup basketball game, while the other NBA players search for answers, I’m reminded of an interesting parallel to our own lives.

Sadly, many people walk around with something even more important than basketball skills stolen from them. The world, Satan, tough circumstances, and evil people are out to steal our joy, peace, hope, and faith.

All too often we allow the lies of the enemy, unfortunate situations, and spiritual attacks to rob us of our joy and peace.

Jesus tells us in John 10:10 (ESV), “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

So, are we experiencing abundant life with Jesus and tapping into the power of the Holy Spirit within us?

Are we living in a way where there’s evidence of fruit in our lives?

Or, are we walking around powerless and wondering where our joy, peace, and hope are?

True hope, joy, and peace are found in Jesus. As followers of Jesus, we don’t have to let the pull of the enemy or the unfortunate circumstances of life steal our joy and peace, but rather we must walk by the Spirit and yield to the Spirit so we continue to experience both.

Paul writes in Galatians 5:16 (AMP), “But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].”

Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”

Today, let’s be encouraged to walk by the Spirit and rely on the power of Christ within us, so we can go from feeling lost, confused, and frustrated to joyful, peaceful, and hopeful.

As we acknowledge that we’re up against a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, let’s respond accordingly with the action found in Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV):

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to have the lasting peace and joy that are only found in You. I pray You’d help me not allow anyone or anything to steal them from me. I pray I would walk by the Spirit and yield to the Spirit as I also trust in the power of Christ within me. Help me to put on the right armor each day to fight the spiritual battles I encounter. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.