Does Halloween bring up feelings of fear, anxiety, or painful memories? Whether you feel uneasy about the holiday’s darker themes or have experienced frightening situations in the past, God offers comfort and strength when fear feels overwhelming. In 2 Timothy 1:7, Scripture reminds us that God gives us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline—not timidity. As Christians, we can bring our fears to Jesus and trust the Holy Spirit to guide us toward greater peace. We can also recognize that everyone has different experiences with Halloween and respond to others with compassion rather than judgment.

Highlights

• Explore what 2 Timothy 1:7 teaches about overcoming fear through God’s power, love, and self-discipline.

• Understand how difficult childhood experiences or painful memories can shape your feelings about Halloween.

• Discover why showing compassion for others’ experiences is an important part of responding with Christian love.

• Learn how prayer, Bible study, and time with the Holy Spirit can strengthen your trust in God.

• Find reassurance that you don’t have to celebrate Halloween if it causes fear, anxiety, or distress.

• Consider peaceful, enjoyable alternatives to Halloween celebrations, from fall activities to spending time with friends.

• Reflect on how to surrender your fears to God and rely on His strength throughout Halloween and every season of life.

Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

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Full Transcript Below:

Surrendering Fear to God This Halloween
By Vivian Bricker 

Bible Reading:
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). 

Halloween can instill fear in our hearts for many reasons. When I was a kid, I wasn't ever scared of Halloween because my mom made it light-hearted and fun; there was never any gore, blood, or horror. As I grew older, I started associating Halloween with autumn and the changing seasons rather than with anything scary or dark. Halloween was a time for hayrides, apple picking, and pumpkin-themed recipes, not scary events.

As I was talking to a friend about my plans for Halloween, she suddenly shuddered at the word “Halloween.” “I don't like Halloween; it’s too scary,” she said to me. I told her I knew a lot of people regard Halloween as a scary holiday, but you can make it whimsical, fun, and family-friendly. Despite my explanation, my friend continued to paint a picture of Halloween as evil. 

She proceeded to share her Halloween experience with me, which included her parents turning their house into a haunted house for several months, displaying scary decorations outside that terrified her as a kid, and her older siblings dabbling in witchcraft on Halloween. Immediately, I understood her fear associated with Halloween. For me, Halloween was all fun and games, but for her, it was traumatizing. 

We all need to leave room for those with different lived experiences than ours. I told my friend that it was okay; we didn't have to do anything special for Halloween. Instead, we could go to the movies or shop at the mall. My friend happily agreed, thankful to have moved past the difficult subject. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

If Halloween is a holiday that fills your heart with fear, look to Jesus. The Apostle Paul tells us, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). From the moment we place faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives inside us. This is known as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 

Once the Holy Spirit indwells you, He will never leave. He guides, instructs, and convicts you. From the Bible, we also learn that He gives us power, love, and self-discipline. Perhaps you have already seen this to be true in your own life. Don't allow fear to dictate your life anymore; surrender every feeling to the Lord.

He can transform a heart of fear into a heart of trust. You can cultivate trust in Jesus by spending time with Him in Bible study and prayer. The more you get to know Him, the stronger your trust will become. Whether it is Halloween, Christmas, or New Year's, you will not give in to fear. It is a beautiful blessing to know the Lord and to have the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Talk with the Holy Spirit when you are afraid and ask Him to help you see His power, love, and self-discipline in your own life. You may be surprised as to how He will answer your prayer. Never underestimate the work of the Holy Spirit in your life; He can transform a fearful heart into a lionheart. 

Surrender your fear to God today. However, know that it is okay if you don't want to celebrate Halloween. If Halloween brings up too many dark memories, you can bypass this holiday altogether. Do something else on Halloween, such as going to a pottery class, taking a day trip, or having a friend’s night where you all go see a movie. Replacing scary things at Halloween with fun events will radically change how you view this fall holiday. 

Remind yourself that fear does not dictate your life. Your life belongs to Jesus, and He will strengthen you through every storm (Isaiah 41:10). Continue to rely on the Holy Spirit, cultivate trust in God, and embrace the fall season rather than the scary parts of Halloween. 

Do you associate Halloween with fear? What are some ways you can take 2 Timothy 1:7 to heart? The Holy Spirit lives inside you right now. How might you get to know Him better this autumn? 

Further Reading:

Deuteronomy 31:6

Joshua 1:9

Psalm 56:3