Monsters University, the prequel to Monsters, Inc., was released in theaters last week. With the same main characters as its predecessor, it takes us back to the lovable monsters’ college days.

Yup, I said it. Lovable monsters. The Monsters franchise has managed to take a terrifying childhood fear and turn it inside out. Monsters are now our friends, susceptible to fears, insecurities, and struggles, just like us.

If only it were so easy.

Monsters come in all shapes and sizes. Children see them in the dark, in the closet or under the bed. But adults can also see monsters. For example, in the movie, Monster Squad, children confront a group of monsters, including Dracula, a mummy, and a werewolf. The children are assisted by a “scary German guy” who gives them advice on how to battle the frightening creatures. One scene includes the following conversation:

Horace: “Man, you sure know a lot about monsters.”

Scary German Guy: “Now that you mention it, I suppose I do.” Then he closes the door, revealing a concentration camp tattoo on his wrist.

Evil does exist – sometimes in the form of a monster, sometimes not. How we face it is often shaped by how we were taught to face our fears as a child. How our children face their fears will depend on what we teach them now. So here are some tips on helping children face – and conquer – their fears:

Be a role model

I have a sweet friend whose screams can be heard for miles if she sees a spider. When children see us ruled by particular fears, they can easily develop the same ones or respond in a similar way to their own anxieties. As you and I model dependence on the Holy Spirit in facing our own fears, our children will learn to do the same.

Don’t intensify their fears

Well-meaning parents may intensify children’s fears by exposing their children to inappropriate entertainment or experiences. Scenes you and I can forget in a day or two can haunt a child for months or years.

Don’t dismiss their fears

Laughing at a child’s fears or ordering them to “Get over it” may cause them to stop talking about the things that terrorize them. This may cause them to stuff their feelings, rather than dealing with them.

Offer an alternative

Comfort your children even while reassuring them of your loving care. Remind them of the many Bible verses that encourage us not to fear. Also remind them of the many verses that speak of God’s loving care, too. Help them memorize an appropriate verse that they can recite aloud when they are fearful.

Live with balance

Another one of my friends didn’t like the beach or allow her daughter to swim in the ocean because of a deep fear of sharks. Overprotective behavior validates avoidance as the best way to face our fears. Unfortunately, this behavior may create an environment in which fears multiply and our children’s world shrinks as they shy away from more and more of life.

With all of the above in mind, we also need to teach our children to have a respect for danger. Behaviors such as being wary of strangers, not running into the street, or being cautious around strange animals will provide them with a healthy, balanced perspective as they approach new situations without panic.

The Bible tells us, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (II Timothy 1:7 ESV). Do we really believe this? If we do, our lives will reflect what we claim to believe, and we’ll be able to pass that assurance on to our children.

What are you afraid of? How do you deal with your fears?