4 Powerful Spiritual Growth Lesson from the movie “What About Bob?”
In this comedy, there really are some great growth lessons
I don’t want to over spiritualize everything that happens in life. But there really are good and important lessons to learn all around us. This is, after all still God’s world and He sometimes reveals Himself and His principles through people who do not even believe in Him.
I found that to be true in this wonderful comedy. It is not only funny; it contains some important spiritual growth principles as well
Though this article will be more relatable for those who have actually seen What About Bob, even if you haven’t, these four truths are still of significant benefit.
Super Quick Recap
Bob is a mess. He has many phobias and mental health issues. He becomes fixated on his new therapist to help him with his many disorders. Bob is unrelenting in taking steps to interact with Dr.Leo Marvin.
When Dr. Marvin takes his family away on an extended summer vacation, Bob finds out where he is and follows him there. The rest of the film is about how Bob keeps showing up, finding favor with Dr. Marvin’s family and the townspeople,is included in a national morning show interview, and eventually ends up marrying Dr. Marivn’s sister. Not only that, he too, then becomes a therapist and best-selling author.
Super funny!
Lesson #1: Persistence Pays Off
Though Bob uses some deceptive and unorthodox methods, he keeps figuring out a way to find out where Dr. Marvin is. He wants his help and is bound and determined to get it. Even when Dr. Marvin tries his best to get rid of Bob, Bob keeps going.
Eventually it pays off and Bob, despite Dr. Marvin's strong reluctance, gets what he’s looking for.
In just about every book of the Bible, there are lessons or direct teachings about the virtue of perseverance.
Just one example Jesus gave is found in Luke 11:5–10 (right after Luke’s version of “The Lords’ Prayer). Jesus told the story of a man who has unexpected guests show up in the middle of the night.
The host doesn’t have enough food to feed them, so he goes to a neighbor and begins pounding on the door hoping to get the food he needs for his guests. At first the neighbor doesn’t want to get up out of his warm, cozy bed. Jesus then says,
“But I tell you this–though the man won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds.And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:6–10, ESV)
Persevering faith is one of the most valuable traits God wants to develop in us. He honors the persistent pursuit of His will and promises.
Bob practiced this, we can too.
Lesson #2. No One Is Too Far Gone for God.
Bob looked and acted like a person with extreme phobias. He had trouble going out of the house and functioning at all in society because of his issues. He looked like a lost cause.
But he wasn’t. He eventually had some breakthroughs and totally changed his life.
I regularly see interviews with people on Christian television. Yes, there are some great programs who share amazing stories of redemption. People who were in prison for doing some really awful things, are now leading churches and ministries, helping others find forgiveness and new life.
Former strippers, prostitutes, and sexually bound people are now happily married, healthy in their souls, and often helping others who are trapped in sexual issues or the sex trade.
God continues to do miracles in people we might think are too far gone.
1 Corinthians 1:26–29 reminds us,”Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose the things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised b the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considered important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.”
Lesson #3. God Often Uses People to Accomplish His Purposes.
Though Dr.Marvin was a reluctant, even resistant healer; he still helped Bob get better.
God is always doing more in our lives than we are aware of. He often does things directly, especially when we pray, trust, and obey.
But very often, God chooses to work through people to be His means of grace and help.
Now and then, people get a vision of Jesus that leads them to salvation. There are reports that in Muslim countries, more people are seeing visions of Jesus than ever before. Praise God for that!
But most of the time, people receive the gift of eternal life when a person shares the Gospel with them.
1 Corinthians 1:21, ESV “Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.”
Romans 1:16, ESV, “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes–the Jew first and also the Gentile.”
Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 & 14 emphasize that together, believers in Jesus make up the body of Christ. God has given us all different grace gifts and we are to use those to help one another.
One of the major ways God helps us is through others.
God loves to share with us His life and His gifts so that we can experience the joy of meaningful service and impact.
Lesson #4. No One Can Do It For Us.
Most of the books I’ve read on how to coach people emphasize that the most important factor in clients benefitting from coaching is their commitment level.
The best techniques, the most proven methods, the greatest support only works when the client commits to making progress. When we make a firm commitment, the results can be amazing.
Though Bob started out totally dependent on others to do anything, he didn’t stay in that place. He took small steps (“baby steps”) and started gradually seeing improvements. He even started helping Dr. Marvin’s son with some of his fears.
Though we need the help of others on our journey; no one can do it for us. When we make a strong personal commitment to follow Jesus and grow in our faith, God does wonderful things in our lives.
That’s one reason Jesus said, “If anyone of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23, ESV)
Jesus knows that to fully live God’s purposes and plans in a fallen world, strongly influenced by sin and Satan, would require a strong commitment. He knows that when we make a full commitment to follow Him first and turn from selfishness, we can follow Him into His purposes.
We can experience more of the eternal, abundant life He so often talked about. (John 10:10, ESV)
Those are 4 spiritual growth lessons I saw in What About Bob? What lessons can you learn through your daily life, even some things you watch?
If you want more purpose and spiritual growth resources, including a free short book on how to grow stronger in prayer when life is moving fast, take a look at www.TruVineMission.com
