The most dangerous monsters aren't under your bed—they're in your head.
Every time you think, "I'm not good enough," "I'll never change," or "What's the point of trying?"—that's not really you talking. It's one of your identity monsters: destructive beliefs wearing convincing costumes, masquerading as truth.
The trick to overcoming these limiting beliefs isn't just therapy or positive thinking (though those help). The trick is calling out the monster by name. Because once you know exactly which creature is trying to hold you back, it loses its power over you.
Naming Your Identity Monster
The Skeleton in the Closet
"Remember that time you failed? That's who you really are."
This isn't just any skeleton—it's your skeleton, rattling around with every mistake you've ever made. Its specialty? Making sure your past mistakes feel eternally present. This monster keeps you tied to a false identity of failure, preventing you from embracing the truth that, in Christ, you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).The Blob with No Boundaries
"Other people's needs matter more than yours."
This Blob doesn't eat people—it eats your time, energy, and self-respect. It makes you feel selfish for having needs and guilty for setting limits. This monster thrives on the belief that you must earn love and approval by sacrificing yourself. In Christ, your value is not based on people-pleasing but on being a beloved child of God (Galatians 1:10).Teen Wolf
"Act now, regret later."
This is the impulsive beast that hijacks your emotional steering wheel, leading you to act out of impulse without thought of consequence. It’s rooted in the belief that immediate gratification is worth more than long-term growth. In Christ, you are called to self-control, one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).The Curse of the Mummy
"Your past defines your future."
This monster makes temporary situations feel eternal, wrapping you tight in bandages of "that's just how it is." It tries to convince you that your past mistakes or circumstances are permanent and unchangeable. Yet in Christ, you are promised freedom and transformation—your past does not define you (Romans 8:1).The Alien Abductor
"Someday never comes."
This one beams you up into fantasy futures, leaving you out of touch with the present. Hours vanish in a time-warp of "someday." This monster robs you of your present potential by keeping you focused on unrealistic fantasies rather than taking faithful steps today. In Christ, we are called to be present, making the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:15-16).The Creature from the Black Lagoon
"Everything that can go wrong, will."
Surrounds you with a murky fog of "what-ifs" and "yeah-buts," pulling you under with worst-case scenarios. This monster thrives on fear and anxiety, keeping you from trusting God's plan for your life. In Christ, you are called to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).The Doppelganger
"Look at how much better everyone else is doing."
This shape-shifting monster feeds comparison anxiety, distorting others' success as a reflection of your inadequacy. It keeps you from embracing your unique identity in Christ by convincing you that you're always falling short. Yet, in Christ, you are fearfully and wonderfully made, without need for comparison (Psalm 139:14).The Perfectionist Poltergeist
"If it's not perfect, don't even start."
This ghost convinces you that anything less than perfect is failure, keeping you stuck in endless revision cycles. It’s rooted in the belief that your worth is tied to flawless performance. In Christ, your value is not in perfection, but in His grace which is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9).
The Real Magic
The power of naming your monsters isn't just about self-awareness—it’s about transformation. Because here's the truth: These monsters aren't actually part of your identity. They're just limiting beliefs in costume. Once you see through their disguises, you can stop letting them write your story.
After all, the scariest monster is the one you haven’t named yet.