Don't Fear the Dark: Part 1

Were you afraid of the dark as a kid? Night-lights glowing, parents checking closets, maybe even a monster under the bed. Studies say around 80% of kids fear the dark. The other 20%? They’re the reason we fear the dark.But here’s the kicker—11% of adults still fear the dark. Which is why, conveniently, we hold church during the day. You’re welcome.

I had a psychology professor who used to hide under his kids’ beds and grab them after lights out. He called it “research.” I call it job security. Create a phobia, then spend years trying to cure it.

The truth is, darkness is unsettling. In scary movies, most jump scares occur at night. Nightmare on Elm Street, Night of the Living Dead, Five Nights at Freddy’s. (Okay, Saturday Night Fever isn’t technically horror, but those dance moves are pretty terrifying.)

But the Bible reminds us that darkness isn’t just about what happens when the lights go out. There’s another kind of darkness—jealousy, bitterness, greed, shame—that creeps into our hearts. John writes:

“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (John 12:46)

Sin loves secrecy. Secrets grow in the dark. But light always wins. Jesus shines into our hidden places—not to shame us, but to heal us.

October might bring haunted houses, creepy costumes, and a few extra night-lights. But don’t fear the dark. Fear of staying in the dark. Step into the light of Jesus, where secrets lose their power and hope prevails.