”Daddy, Daddy.” Eli started to whimper as he came sluggishly walking over to me with his head down looking around. “Hey buddy, what’s wrong?” I replied as I picked him up and immediately wrapped his arms around my neck clinging tightly. “I’m skawed, I can’t see. It’s so dark in hewe.” Then things started to make sense.
Rewind about 2 months, Lindsey and I started to notice a trend and a difference in Eli’s sleep pattern. He went from sleeping through the night in his own bed to now coming into our room about 4-5 in the morning and climbing in bed with us, usually with a little whimper. I had just always assumed it was him having a bad dream. After that night locking up the church though things started to click in my mind, he isn’t always having a bad dream, he is just scared of the dark.
I don’t know at what age kids start experiencing fear, but it has become obvious to us that Eli is at that point. Whether it is the shadows, or the unknown or the fear of the boogie monster in his room or under his bed, I believe we can all relate. Whether we will all admit to it or not, I would venture to say that we all have some type of fear in life. Some fears are rational, some irrational and some we just create in our own worst-case scenario minds.
I share all this to share the lesson God has taught me through these experiences with my son. Did you know that Scripture talks about fear time and time again, over and over. “Do not fear, Be not afraid…” Why? Because as a believer just like I am there to protect Eli and pick him up, your Heavenly Father is right there with you in the midst of whatever it is you are facing. He is there to cling to, to wrap your arms around his neck and cling to. Here is one of the most famous and memorized verses when it comes to fear.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For you are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me.” -Psalms 23: 4
So I ask you now, do you truly believe that? Do you believe what you say you believe? Then take comfort, trust in the one who is far greater than the fear that is in your mind and allow Him to pick you up. Just as Eli finds his refuge in my arms, find your refuge in your Savior.