Fighting Our Fears

October always brings to mind favorite fall things like enjoying the chill in the air and gorgeous leaves, pumpkin picking and cozy favorite sweaters.

My calendar also says it’s time for Halloween. Whether you participate in this holiday or not, most of us know something about it. One something that I’m always discussing with my kiddos is how they still don’t understand the bloody headstones or spooky skeletons and witches some neighbors use to decorate. I don’t either. Because I don’t like being scared.

I also don’t like the reminder that I’m a big chicken when something goes bump in the night.

But the ghoulish Halloween decorations have given me some great inroads to talking to my children about fears. What we’re afraid of and why.

Sometimes it’s hard to get a handle on what exactly causes the physical and emotional reaction we associate with fear.

But it’s good exercise. Whether you’re six or sixty, a writer or not, fears are something we have to deal with or they’ll deal with us.

There’s no simplistic Sunday school answer on how to face our fears. One of my little ones is afraid of dogs. Another of thunder. Another of being made fun of in her peer group. How we deal with each of those circumstances is different.

But one constant remains. Admitting our fears and talking about them. With each other and with God.

It’s in that relationship we find the courage to face our fears and do what needs to be done. For my little ones it might be to pray instead of scream when a thunder storm hits or to talk to someone they don’t know and make a new friend.

For me it’s going back to my computer when I’m afraid I have nothing worthwhile to say. Or parenting when I’d rather stay in bed.

I’ve heard it said that courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s deciding that something else is more important than fear. And doing what’s necessary anyway.

So whether October makes you tremble thinking of spooks and skeletons or your fears are more haunting, I hope you’ll run to the Lord and find courage to do the hard thing and see God carry you through.