How could an animated film about little Troll people with fuzzy, multicolored hair affect me so deeply?… It was their generous spirit, refusal to give up, and deep love for one another that all stemmed from their insatiable hope, allowing their “true colors” to shine through…right through to my heart. In fact, even in a deciding moment in the film where their hope seemed to put them between a rock and a hard place, and therefore was threatened, it was a simple reminder of who they were inside that allowed their true selves to shine through again, and to hope again.

What do you do when you see someone you love, or even your child, go through something that seems to affect their very vision of themselves, and life? What do you say? What if it continues and there seems to be no end in sight? Do you accept that this is who they are now, or even who they always were, knowing deep inside that it isn’t? Especially when so much time passes with no obvious changes, do you change your view, too? Does that mean that what they believed and who they were before, wasn’t real? Or, does it mean that pain is now blocking their vision and closing the door to their true selves shining through? You being able to tell the difference and to be used of God to remind them of who they really are, despite this, can make all the difference in the process.

“But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matthew 6:23 NIV

What made those Trolls so beautiful and gave them their individual color, was the light that was within them. The moment they closed the door to that light, turning inward and introspecting, refusing to hope, their color went dull and they no longer shined. That is, until they were reminded of who they really were and the light that is within each of them. Like the Trolls, we want that light of God’s Spirit that is within each of us to shine through us, displaying His glory in His various colors of His rainbow—us. When we focus on His Spirit and His light within us, and we choose to let it shine through us rather than closing the door through introspection, the world not only sees our true colors, but it also sees His glorious rainbow. It is His promise to the world—the opportunity and invitation for His Spirit to also dwell within them and shine His glory through them, as well.

We all want our kids and loved ones to know who they are, and we want them to know Who they belong to. The only thing that actually belongs to them— even their light—is Him. No matter what they’ve experienced, no matter how it has affected them in this moment in time, it has not changed their “True colors.” When the light of God’s Spirit freely shines through them again, their true colors will also shine through. Until then, remind them of what that looks like and Who is inside of them, illuminating them. Remind them to hope again, and that God’s glory—that He purposes to shine specifically through them—is not lost.

Nothing can steal their identity—their true colors—from the One who made them and loves them. Nothing can steal Him—their light—from them. As you observe from the outside, don’t be discouraged, just believe. Your love for who they really are will help them to see… again.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:18-21, NIV.

Check out this music video clip, “True Colors,” from the movie, “Trolls” by DreamWorks Animation, and be hope-ful-ly encouraged