The Monster in the Basement
At some time, most of us have delt with a “monster.” Sometimes the monster first shows up in a dream, sometimes it’s an event or situation we can’t stop agnsting over.
As I crossed the threshold, my four-year-old grandson immediately began telling me about the dream he had the night before, about “the monster in the basement.” Sitting on the floor in his little boy jeans, he struggled with a sneaker in front of the hall closet; he was still quite upset.
“Tell me about the dream,” I said.
“It was really scary. The monster broke down the door and he grabbed me and took me to the basement; he was too strong for me, he wouldn’t let me go.”
“Did anyone come to help you?”
“April came but the monster was too strong for my sister, too.”
“Hmmm…” I began fishing in the closet for the sneaker’s mate. “One way to deal with thinking about scary things is to think about something else. Who is your favorite super hero?”
“Spider-Man!”
“What would Spider-Man do?”
“He would shoot out his webs and tie the monster up!”
“And that would be the end of the monster?” I asked.
“Yeah, Spider-Man is strong, really strong.”
“The next time you think of that monster, remember Spider-Man, think about him.”
“Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].” (Philippians 4:8, Amplified Bible)
Father, the next time I find myself focused on my fear, remind me to “center [my] mind” on You, on Your word. Help me recall the many times You have “rescued ” me, provided for me, enabled me to overcome the problem, the situation, the “monster” – or simply removed the mountain. Remind me, Lord, that Your word is truth, that I can trust You. Remind me that You are always faithful, and You have control of all the “monsters.”
(C) Debbie Lowe, 2019.
