Editor's note: You're invited! Join us for the John OBS starting June 2nd! Grab a friend or two and join us and Megan Fate Marshman as we learn to know Jesus in a personal and intimate way. It's going to be great!
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This morning, a mom shared with me that her young son is afraid of the dark — convinced there’s a scary red monster lurking in his room. As a mom who’s had little boys afraid of the dark, I understood her heavy heart.
We brainstormed a fun idea: grab a Febreze bottle, slap a silly red monster sticker on one side with the words “Monster Spray,” and on the other side, a picture of Jesus with the words: “Jesus’ light is more powerful than the dark.” Now, her son gets to spray away the scary stuff as a reminder that Jesus, the light of the world, is more powerful than anything hiding in the dark.
But as I walked away, I realized... I need that reminder, too. Maybe we all do.
Because darkness doesn’t just lurk in bedrooms at night. Sometimes, it seeps into our thoughts, our memories, our regrets. It shows up in the unknown of the future, the weight of our secrets, the hurt we’ve carried quietly for far too long. The fears we don’t say out loud. The lies we believe about ourselves. The habits we can’t seem to shake. Darkness takes many forms, and some days, it feels like it’s closing in.
And while we can’t just spray away those fears and failures with Febreze (if only!), we can cling to the truth: Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12, NIV). And His light doesn’t just expose the darkness—it overcomes it (John 1:5).
But Jesus, the light, doesn’t stop there. He doesn’t just shine around us — He wants to shine in us. 1 John 1:5-7 says that
God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.
And when we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we don’t just experience forgiveness — we experience fellowship. With Him. And with one another. Because light reveals. It heals. It connects.
A few verses later, John reminds us of what to do with the darkness within:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9
He doesn’t just forgive. He purifies. He doesn’t just bring light — He invites us to live in it. To walk lighter, freer, fuller. He called us the light of the world (Matthew 5:14) because when His light is in us, it doesn’t stay hidden. It changes how we show up in the world. It changes how we approach the dark.
So maybe today’s a good day to step into the light — not just the light that comforts our fears but the light that transforms our hearts. Let’s name the monsters. Let’s voice what feels like it’s lurking in the shadows. Let’s stop pretending we’re okay when we’re not and open ourselves up to the kind of grace that doesn’t flinch at the dark. Let’s let light overcome it! Because He already knows it all. And He loves us still. Enough to shine into our darkest corners — not to shame us, but to lighten us.
So, remember that whatever darkness we’re facing, Jesus, the light of the world, is more powerful. And the light of the world lives in you. Where His light is, darkness doesn’t get the last word.
P.S. Feel free to print your very own Monster Spray Reminder for your kids (or yourself!). You never outgrow the need for a little truth on a spray bottle.
Written for Devotionals Daily by Megan Fate Marshman, author of the John: Believe I Am Bible study. © 2025 by Megan Fate Marshman. All rights reserved.
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Your Turn
Are you facing a big, red monster or two? Don’t be afraid! Jesus Himself, the Light of the world, is more powerful and He is with you! Join us for the John OBS starting June 2nd! ~ Devotionals Daily