Every year in October a level of darkness seems to cover stores, neighborhoods and unfortunately children. Innocent minds are exposed to fear at high concentrations due to the enemy’s favorite “holiday.” Costumes based on making others fear one another become “funny” and dressing up like satanic, evil figures is seen as “normal.” And we wonder why anxiety and fear are at a high point within ourselves and our children?

As Mamas who are determined to master their minds, reclaim their mental health, and protect our kids too, we need to scrutinize every area of our lives and get rid of any thought or thing that doesn’t line up with the Word of God. There is zero room for “a little darkness” within our minds if we are purposing to live in mental freedom.

The Bible (the manual that I choose to live by) is VERY clear on what we should do regarding things that are evil and fear based. Here are a few examples of how the Bible instructs us to stay away from things that are evil:

“Stay away from every kind of evil”

1 Thessalonians 5:22

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

John 3:20

Evil things promote fear and are in direct opposition to the peace that God has for us. Specifically, fear and anxiety impact a person’s physical health, brain processing capabilities, memory and ones overall mental health.¹ We would be foolish to minimize its affect on us or our children. Instead we ought to rid it from our lives any way that we can.

Mamas, I’m going to challenge you with a few thoughts about Halloween today:

• Why should we encourage and normalize fear (within ourselves and our children) just to fit into a cultural norm, or for a bag of candy? Fear isn’t from God. He has commanded us again and again within His Word “do not fear.”

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7

• How serious are you about fostering HOLINESS and PEACE within your home? Do you want to honor God in every area of your life and model that for your children? Or are you ok with letting a few things slide? If we want to rid our brains of anxiety, fear and other mental health issues we must first start by renewing our minds to what Christ says we should do, think and celebrate.

“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

2 Corinthians 7:1

Hear me out Mama, this is not a condemning post telling you that your a horrible person if you and your family have chosen to celebrate Halloween–rather let it be a challenge to you to examine WHY you have chosen to celebrate Halloween:

• Is it because it’s culturally accepted?
• Your kids like dressing up? Or getting candy?
• Because being scared can sometimes feel “fun?”

Or is it more important to model:

• That fear is unacceptable
• Our family will strive to model Christ’s holiness in our thoughts and actions
• Our house will be one that serves the Lord no matter what the world says (Joshua 24:15)?

None of us are perfect. We’re all learning and we’re all growing. So while we’re on our growing journey, let’s seek to grow closer to Christ and not darkness. Let’s challenge ourselves to renew our minds to focus on the peace, love and the mental stability that God has provided for us! Let’s illuminate Christ’s love and be a light to the darkness.

Let’s seek to eliminate fear from our lives for good.

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1. Delagran, Louise. 2012. “Impact of Fear and Anxiety | Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing.” Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing. 2012. https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/impact-fear-and-anxiety.
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