Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
It’s spooky season, one of the many nicknames for Halloween. My daughters love Halloween. When they were small, picking out costumes and trick-or-treating were big deals for them. It was a great time. The big haunted houses like Frightworld became a thing as they got older.
I’ve never been a fan of being scared for fun. It just doesn’t register for me the way it does for some others. We live in a world with plenty of things that warrant genuine fear. Violence, medical problems, and financial issues certainly worry people. Depending on your source for news or how stories are shared among people in your social circle, plenty of things keep us concerned about our safety and the state of things. Data shows that 19.1% of adults in the U.S. suffer from an anxiety disorder.
However, the Bible reminds us several times that we should not live in fear. In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus reminds us that we should not worry. The familiar verse above reminds us not to be overcome by our fears. We shouldn’t be overcome by fear generally, nor should we allow specific seasons or events to overwhelm us. Fear is an understandable and necessary part of human life. However, faith teaches us to move forward despite our fear. We go through the valley of the shadow of death because God is with us, and God’s presence reduces our fear. This familiar verse reminds us about how to move through the world. The psalm doesn’t tell us we won’t face valleys or experience fear. Note that it is the presence of God that gives us the courage to move forward.
Fear is a natural part of human existence. It is necessary for our health and survival. Knowing how to manage fear is critical. We have nothing to fear during the spooky season or any other time because God is with us.
Pastor Scott