Here we go. It’s time to light those fall scented candles and watch Beetlejuice; it’s officially autumn. One of my favorite things to do during this time, is write about horror movies and Jesus. Yes, strange combo I know, but it’s been an October tradition for me since forever. As you can see from my blog name, I am quite the fan of b-movies. The term comes from the old nickelodeons that would have an “a” movie, that was the big one people came to see, and the “b” movie, the second flick that had a little more of a low budget. Now, why am I talking about it, I think we can learn from anything, and movies teach me so much.

It’s spooky season and I love watching horror movies. I try to watch one a day during October, and the majority are b-movies. Fear is something that everybody faces. From mental health, to the unknowns of the future, and the pain of the past. I’m going to be honest fear absolutely sucks and I hate it, plus it’s a liar.

Fear comes from Satan and Satan is a damned liar.

When I think of fear, I think of Vampires. Now I’m not meaning Twilight style or Vampire Diaries (Though that show is a guilty pleasure), what I’m referring to is the classic vamps. They lure you in and then suck the life out of you, literally. Bella Lugosi played the classic vamp, Dracula in 1931, embodying this vision of fear. In life fear can seem unstoppable, that we cannot escape no matter how hard we try. This can be disheartening as fear sucks the life out of us, but we cannot give up, because there is always hope. What we need to do, is be prepared. Van Helsing is also in that movie and he is the one who is prepared to take on the great fear. Now, that movie is a classic, but there is another movie that shows how we need to be when it comes to fear. The Lost Boys might be my favorite vampire movie, why? Because of the Frog Brothers. The coolest pair that are ready to take on hordes of vampires with no fear, because they have the tools they need. They are cool and calm, and when a kid comes to them afraid his brother may be a vampire now, they react by saying, “Kill your brother, you’ll feel better” (Hey! This title is a play on that quote! Yeah, I’m that good.) Now you shouldn’t be killing anyone, but you do need to kill your fear. We all let fear control us more than it should, and it’s time to stop. So, let’s start killing our fear.

You were made with power, not passivity.

It’s easy to feel powerless, the weight of the world can start to take a toll on us. Mental health is a very real thing, I’ve struggle with it for a long time, and there are moments where you feel weak. The truth is, that is a lie, and again, all lies come from Satan. You were made with power, designed with a purpose, a purpose to be a light to the people around you. The Frog Brothers knew, you gotta have the right tools to take on your fear. Garlic, wooden stake, and some holy water to do the trick. When it comes to our lives, you need to be ready. Are you taking care of your mental health? Take time for self-care and get counselling. Are you reading scripture? Start with just a little bit each day, massive goals will make you feel like a failure and that’s another lie. Are you being healthy? Sleep, eat well, spend time outside just a little bit each day.

You are a dream being, a person designed to do great things, don’t let fear being the driver in your life, let your life be driven by the power that you are made with purpose. Quiet the fear to let that purpose come into focus.

Don’t go it alone, you need a team.

Every vampire flick has someone go off alone into the den of creepiness; don’t be that dummy. Get people around you that will love you and encourage you on the good days and the bad. We were made for community, we need others in our lives that will encourage us and that we can encourage as well. It’s dangerous to live in isolation, that’s when the fear can begin to creep in, and when no one is around to counter those lies from hell, we begin to take them to heart. God has people in our lives for a reason, be around those who will build you up and go into the darkness with you. You need to have someone who will have your back when it’s time to fight a vampire. Be wise and have others by your side when facing your fear.

October is a great time of year, people will argue about spooky flicks, but I think it’s important to face fears. We need to silence the enemy and not give fear the power we have given it. It’s time to stop letting fear control you, don’t be passive, actively kill the fear trying to take over your life. This month, as you watch Hocus Pocus and carve a pumpkin, remember that fear doesn’t have to control you. Don’t let fear stop you from changing the world.

Kill your fear, you’ll feel better.

-Joshua Thomas

About the Author: Joshua Thomas is a writer by day and superhero by night. When he’s not writing and crimefighting, you can find him reading a good book, sipping warm tea, taking pictures, or dreaming. The young writer doesn’t fully know what he’s doing, but is enjoying the journey of it all. You can tweet memes at him on Twitter @joshua_thomas__ or follow his hipster photos and Jack Kerouac musings on Instagram @joshua_thomas__