(Photo by Selma Komisky)

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Monsters’ Inc. and Individual Fear

By Ashley Gomez

When I was a little kid I loved Monsters’ Inc. I loved the colors, the characters, the music, but, at my young age, I was scared of some of the monsters in the movie, too. Just like Boo. One year for Christmas I even got a stuffed Boo plush doll and, in getting this Boo plush doll, I decided that I would no longer be afraid of the monsters in the movie that weren’t nice.

With this new mindset, I was a 6-year-old determined to be afraid of nothing, but that didn’t last long. Growing up obviously presented some challenges. I was afraid of kids at school not liking me and I was scared of the dark (like most 6-year-olds). I was persistent in my determination to be afraid of nothing but it seemed like every year I got older there were more and more things to be afraid of.

As a 22-year-old, I have a whole new set of fears.

Looking back at the movie now, I realized my 6-year-old self was onto something. The idea of Boo overcoming her own fears of the monster in her closet was inspiring me to overcome my own fears. She had a different approach then I did, she asked for help. Yes, she did ask for help from other monsters but she asked for help and found it in the most unlikely of places.

Unlike her, I did not seek help to overcome my fears until I was older. I found my help where I least expected to find it, in my faith.

Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

It is easy to see that this is true, in any part of your life where fear may be. No matter the challenges, no matter the doubts, I was persistent because He was always with me. Surprisingly, we see this in Monsters’ Inc. as well. No matter Boos’ challenges and struggles, she always persists. In this, we see that we do not have to be afraid because the Lord will always be with us and we have the ability to put our rest in Him.

Boo’s persistence is something we can all look up to. She refuses to give up. She understands that she cannot be fearful so she can get home. Similarly, we cannot be afraid to put our fears in the Lord so He can aid in us finding our safety and home in Him. Eventually, Boo finds her way home with the help of Sully and Mike Wasowski and, like her, we also need help to find our way home.

I think another important factor that is often overlooked in Monsters’ Inc. is how grateful Boo is when both Sully and Mike finally find her door and then lead her through it. She is overcome with joy and wants them to stay with her. They helped her overcome her fear of the monster in her closet and she now wants to share with them everything she loves but, for obvious reasons, they cannot stay. Even though they leave, she will always have the memory of them helping her overcoming her fear. Similarly, we always have God wherever we go.