An excellent point about the importance of coupling truth with our mantras. It’s not good to tell a chid a mantra that they’ll find is a lie later one.

Fires may get you… monsters will not.

I wonder if something like “God will be with you, even through the flames” reminds me of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s story and Is 43:2.

I know the mantra is the main point of the article, but I also recognize a side point: what we take in will affect us. Our oldest has always been deeply affected by whatever she watches on DVD or TV; she’s able to enter into the story so completely that she has a very hard time separating fantasy from reality. She is still hysterical about fires, thanks to watching “Black Beauty” at the age of three. It’s a gorgeous movie, but it does contain a large, scary fire scene in the stable. We have worked through her fear on many occasions.

I have not thought to encapsulate facing her fears through a mantra, until reading your post. Going to have to think about it and figure out what’s true and comforting and yet realistic. (e.g., Fire IS a great danger, when it’s out of control.)

Beautiful post.

Thank you for letting me know!
Jonalyn

Fantastic collage here of feeling fear and not running. Thank you!
Jonalyn