Befriending Your MonstersSample

How (Not) To Dress For Your Monsters

Since we’ve started to develop an appreciation for our monsters as guides that lead us into our Creator’s intention for us, it’s now time to discuss what a monster-friendly life looks like. Living a monster-friendly life requires honesty. As Psalm 36:1–2 says: “Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in their hearts; there is no fear of God before their eyes. For they flatter themselves in their own eyes that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.”

As long as we deceive ourselves, we will never befriend what resides deep within our hearts. A monster-friendly life doesn’t happen without clean hands and an honest heart, which speak to the overarching point. If you fail to take seriously your spiritual wellness, the state of your soul can go sideways very quickly. Our final two days will give you principles for intentionally living a monster-friendly life: how (not) to dress for your monster, and what (not) to expect about your monster.

When standing toe-to-toe with your fears, it’s natural to clothe yourself with protection without regard for the long-term effects, like David being clothed with Saul’s armor after gazing into the eyes of Goliath. In the beginning, after Adam and Eve had their naiveté and nudity revealed to them by eating the forbidden fruit, they clothed themselves with fig leaves. And today we clothe ourselves with the vast array of armor at our disposal:

Approval, because if others like me, I must not be insignificant.

Power, because if I get strong enough, nothing can hurt me.

Pleasure, because if I can feel comfortable enough, I will not feel the pain.

Control, because if I have control, I will be safe and won’t seem weak.

Mastery, because if I can make it good enough, I will feel good about myself and the voice inside my head will quiet.

This soul work will lead you away from your comforts and into your fears. It will be painful and disorienting as it strips away what you know and what has served you well. But follow where God leads because you can trust that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in you, resurrecting you to become whole and complete.

When invited to remove your armor by going into the dark, go, but not because you think it will be easy or painless. Go because your truest self is underneath, waiting to be found. 

What you would like the truest part of yourself to look like?