Nobody Likes Elsa

This is Part 4 of a 5-Part Series on Strongholds

Although it may not be as obvious an example as Olaf, Elsa appears to have a stronghold too: cold. Although, unlike Olaf, Elsa’s stronghold is not fueled by foolishness, but rather by fear.

See if you can pick out some less obvious potential signs of a stronghold:

Fear is Typically a Learned Response

Elsa and Her Father: “Conceal it. Don’t feel it. Don’t let it show.”

Elsa has learned from a very young age, both by experience and by her parents’ upbringing, that cold was dangerous and, therefore, should be avoided at all costs.

It Creates Insecurity

Elsa grows more and more insecure as she realizes she can’t be trusted with cold, and that she could hurt herself or others if she indulges in it. She doubts herself constantly and feels intimidated and afraid.

Becoming Isolated

Anna: “I never see you anymore, come out the door, it’s like you’ve gone away.”

Elsa begins to isolate herself from other people because she is “different”. She avoids people and avoids going out. Even when she is with others, she still feels alone because she does not feel like she belongs.

Putting Up Walls

Throughout the music video, a door or “wall” separates Elsa and Anna; they may still be sisters, they may still love each other, but Elsa has put up walls to protect Anna from her secret, and it keeps them from really having any sort of real relationship or intimacy.

Trying to Manage or Control It

Elsa’s Father: “The gloves will help. … See?”

Elsa will try desperately to control her situation or her surroundings in order to avoid or cover-up the stronghold. She will frequently have to lie in order to conceal it.

Going Into Denial

From the song, “For the First Time in Forever”: “Don’t let them in. Don’t let them see. Be the good girl you always have to be.”

Elsa has to put on a front and pretend to be someone she’s not in order to hide it or cover it up.

It Creates Fear, Tension, and Anxiety

Elsa: “I’m scared! … It’s getting stronger!”

Elsa’s Father: “Getting upset about it only makes it worse! Calm down!”

Elsa is practically having an all-out panic attack by this point, she is so terrified of the cold, hurting herself or someone else, or someone discovering her secret.

Mistakes Are Not Acceptable

From the song, “For the First Time in Forever”: “Make one wrong move, and everyone will know.”

Because she is covering up her stronghold and pretending to be someone she is not, Elsa will feel as if she’s walking on eggshells; that if she does anything wrong, makes any mistake, it will be a catastrophe.

Other People Begin Enabling to Protect the Secret

Elsa: “Do you have to go?”

Elsa’s Father: “You’ll be fine, Elsa.”

By the time Elsa’s parents have to leave, she has become very dependent upon them, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

It Ruins Self-Esteem

By the time of her coronation, Elsa’s self-image is in the toilet. She feels like she ought to be able to control this, and the fact that she is not is a sure sign of her weaknesses and her failure as a responsible human being.

It Has Sucked the Joy Out of Life

Although Elsa is managing to avoid her stronghold, her efforts to control it on her own keep her from living an abundant life (see John 10:10). She hasn’t found a way to be happy without it; the joy is gone from her life, and instead of living in freedom (Galatians 5:1), she lives in a self-imposed prison of rules and restrictions, and the misery, loneliness, and despair that often accompany that.

Click Here to Read Part 5 in This Series on Strongholds