Why Do We Fear the Monsters?

I can’t help but laugh at my son. He is five and is now at the point where he is a little afraid of "monsters." Every once in a while he will say “I think I just heard a monster” or “Mommy, are there any monsters?” Of course we respond with the same “There aren’t any monsters” and he will ask “Why?” and we come back with “They don’t exist…they are only pretend”. That will satisfy him and he will go back to his play time. My wife and I will giggle after we have this discussion with him.

The process seems to work this way: he starts to become afraid, he takes that fear to us, we tell him the truth and he is satisfied…to play, sleep, eat, whatever he was doing. It is a little funny that little ones can be so afraid of monsters or the “boogey-man” (at least that is what we called him when I was a kid). Soon he will grow up, realize monsters are not real and we will no longer hear these questions…he will be at peace, right?

We roll our eyes and think a child’s obsession with monsters is hilarious. Kid’s stuff!! Haha!! But you know I have learned that monsters simply change forms as we become adults. Many times we can find ourselves living in fear. Not of ugly and scary-looking monsters but ugly situations like overdue bills, illness, job situations, relationship problems…you name it. I think we need to learn from our little ones. They become afraid and take the need to us! We comfort them and they can sleep in peace. We hold onto our fears/needs and refuse to hand them over to our Father in Heaven. We may pray but we refuse to let the peace of God invade our lives. Instead of listening to His voice and allowing Him to work in our lives we carry the monster around in our mind…causing us stress, sleepless nights, illness and total unhappiness.

We need to give these "monsters" to our loving Heavenly Father. Also, be sure to trust and listen to Him. We can then be like my son and have peace of mind. If the fear returns give it to God again. If you are serving Him you have no reason to fear those silly monsters!!

--Pastor Bill Oricks--

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7