A friend of mine from church shared this last week about how he was traumatized as a child one Halloween, when he went around with his siblings and cousins. He even finished the evening at a hunted house and relates being scared of vampires for quite a time after the experience. I recall a few somewhat scary encounters growing up as a child, but generally they were short lived as I was usually with my family and never felt too threatened.. There was even a time when I was around 6-8 years old where I watched a local show that showed weekly B-Horror movies from the 50-60s, which were usually more silly than scary. This may have insulated me against feeling anything more threatening later on. Maybe you had similar experiences when you were young, which left certain impressions in your mind over the years. Did this limit what you allowed your children to watch or be exposed to as they were growing up as well?
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32
Growing up in America, it is difficult to not be exposed to some elements of frightening things, even if just in appearance. We may eventually learn that the most frightening people and things in life are outwardly welcoming and friendly, but may have unkind motives. You may not decorate your house with monsters for Halloween, but as you drive through town, you always find some who enjoy the opportunity. We don’t usually go trick or treating with our young kids, but we have done some local candy parades or trunk-or treat events, which they enjoy. Its fine to take candy from strangers, as long as mom and dad say its ok? We have also done a spooky walk along a haunted trail, which they seem to enjoy, though they were a little intimidated by a talking tree on a Wizard of Oz themed walk one year. At home we occasionally go on spooky walks with flashlights around our property, and they feel it is a bit scary, but feel safe when they are with their parents. Do we feel safe when we are with our Heavenly Father in any environment as well? When we are close in relationship to our Lord, we can likely be anywhere in the world, and not be influenced by the world around us. I’ve seen this and experienced it myself to limited degrees, but find it true. When our comfort and confidence is in God, we can go through any danger, war, storm in life, or be lost in any far off place, and still feel secure in Him. May you learn to do the same with your Heavenly Father, and may your children find that same comfort in Him!
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Yours in Christ,
Clark
