An Introduction to "Monsters: the imagination of faith and fear" PART III

Monsters in our lives

These biblical monsters bear a strong resemblance to our contemporary monsters. There is nothing new under the sun. We fear what they feared:

We fear the objects of authority;
we fear the unknown, what’s out there;
we fear retributive justice;
we fear the offspring of our own imagination.

The antidote to the fears of the Israelites was Immanuel: God with us. God never scolded his people for being frightened, but he constantly reminded them that he was present and powerful.

He still is.

You do not need to fear because "the Lord your God is with you."

You do not need to fear dehumanization at the hands of authority, because your worth is in God.

You do not need to fear for your life, consumed with anxiety, because God will protect you.

You do not need to fear for the condition of your soul, because God is good to all, and you are loved.

You do not need to fear the creatures in your mind because God can help you turn your imagination toward life, bravery, heroism, and goodness, and you can be powerful with him.

You are worthy,
protected,
loved,
and empowered.