The Boogeyman

The Boogeyman is a mythical creature typically used to frighten children into good behavior—a monster who supposedly punishes children.  These creatures come in different forms, and certainly, some of the things we imagined as children could be associated with the devil.

When I was a child, I was afraid to go into a dark room, leave the closet door open when I went to bed, or even hang my hand over the side of the bed for fear that the Boogeyman would grab it.  Believe it or not, at times, that old fear wants to raise its ugly head even as an adult.

If I were to allow that fear to consume my peace of mind, the tranquility of knowing that I am safe in the arms of God would be called into question—not because God has changed, but because of fears that became embedded during my formative years.

There is fear, and then there is fear.

The first kind of fear can be generated by falsehood—stories of goblin, ghosts, and the paranormal.  The second kind is more like respect for things that possess real power.  We respect electricity because of what it can do.  We respect Mother Nature and the power of tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and the like because we understand the destruction they can unleash upon humanity.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously stated, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  But the Bible gives us something far greater to consider: “Perfect love casts out fear.”

1 John 4:18 tells us, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”  Experiencing and understanding God’s unconditional love can remove the terror of judgment and punishment.  When we truly understand how much God loves us, fear no longer has to control our lives.

The Bible also tells us that we are to fear God.  But fearing God does not mean living in paralyzing dread of Him.  It means having a deep, humbling awe and profound respect for His supreme power, holiness, and authority.

So, what about Satan?

Fear Satan?  Nah.

Don’t give him more attention or power in your mind than he deserves.  You have the Creator of the cosmos on your side.  The God who created everything is greater than anything that could ever come against you.

There is no reason for the child of God to live like a frightened child hiding from the Boogeyman.

We can walk through the darkness with confidence, knowing that we are never alone.  God is with us, and His perfect love is greater than our fears.

Written by,

Papa Boyd