I live in the Halloween capital of the world. Anoka, Minnesota has held the title for a hundred years. This year, like everything else will be somewhat different. Of course it’s 2020 – and we can’t be sure of much. My city is known to be haunted. There are supposed to be many ghosts inhabiting some of the older buildings and homes here. I haven’t personally encountered any, but who knows? Maybe the ghosts in my house are still sleeping.

This year the CDC has issued several guidelines for Halloween. If you’re going to hand out any treats, try setting the treats outside your house so you make no physical contact. One person has actually designed a catapult for sending treats out to the little goblins that dare to venture out. The CDC also encourages no gatherings of large groups, social distancing and not sharing food and drink. Don’t wear a mask over a protective mask or you may not be able to breathe. I sometimes wonder who comes up with this stuff. Are we really so ignorant that we would not know that?

Of course it’s 2020 and nothing makes sense this year. Some are talking about the Zombie Apocalypse as a real event that will undoubtedly occur on November 4th. There are those who have already put their homes up for sale, sold all their belongings and are planning to move to another continent if the coming election doesn’t satisfy them.

In fact many are actually becoming zombies – going through life with no purpose, no hope, no real oxygen flowing to their lungs. They wander aimlessly around scaring others with their negative thoughts and pessimistic attitudes. Halloween is nothing compared to the fright filling the hearts and minds of the average Joe.

I have friends who feel that this will never end. They have confined themselves to the safety of their own homes – refuse to go anywhere – will not even think about it until the pandemic comes to an end. I respect their right to do that, but doing nothing will lead to further problems down the road.

I also have friends who were already depressed, anxious and afraid before this germ came to be. They feel alone, lost and ready to give up. The phrase, “We’re all in this together,” has been so overused, but it’s necessary to know that we aren’t alone in our feelings. We all experience depression from time to time. When you live through a year like 2020, you learn to expect it.

We will get through this. God has promised that He will not give us more than we can handle. We will still go through the perils of living, but He has provided a way out for us. Through Him, we have the promise of salvation. Through Him, we are united in the body of Christ. Through Him, we have victory over death. Let’s turn our prayers to Him

Dear Lord, fear is a horrible thing. It can take away our reason to live. It gets into our minds and destroys our will, but you give us the answer we need. Even though death may come, we need not be afraid. You’ve promised a place in heaven to all who believe in you. Help people learn to live with hope instead of fear. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!