I tossed and turned in my bed, cowering underneath my covers. But my covers couldn’t hide me from the gangly creatures lurking in my head whenever I closed my eyes. I felt as if the monsters were in my bedroom, waiting to pounce.
That evening, my family and I had watched a disturbing movie about the tribulation. My parents figured I was old enough to handle the dark subject matter at twelve, but I wasn’t. When those ghastly, scorpion-like interpretations from Revelation appeared on the screen, their images burrowed into my memory. When I failed to fall asleep, I crept into my parents’ bedroom and jerked my father awake.
“What is it?” he mumbled in the dark.
“Can I sleep here? The movie scared me,” I whispered, trying not to wake my mother on the other side of the bed. I worried that my father would turn me away, telling me I was too old to sleep with them, but he didn’t.
My father pulled back his blanket and hauled me into the bed. I snuggled beside him as he wrapped his arms around me, his strength promising never to let go. The tension in my body finally loosened, and the next thing I knew, the sun shone through the window beside the bed. I was safe.
Even though the monsters were only figments, they still threatened me. Satan was using these imaginary figures to spark fear in my mind and disturb my peace. It wasn’t until I entered my father’s ready embrace that my mind eased and allowed me to sleep.
Like my earthly father, our heavenly Father is ready to shelter us from the storms of fear raging in our minds. He pulls us close to Him and surrounds us in His unbreakable grasp. In his arms, we will find rest.
If the monsters are frightening you and stealing your peace, run to God. Dwell in the shadow of the Almighty. He is your fortress and refuge in whom you can trust. He waits to cover you in His embrace and shield you from the monsters.
Abby Conrad is a college student studying professional writing.