Are You Afraid……of Death?

I know two men who have had near death experiences. One of them was my father. Their descriptions of their experience have left me confused. This week’s post is my attempt to explore that confusion.

So, I begin with a question:

Am I afraid…….of death?

Are you afraid…….of death?

To begin with, we need to look at two groups of people.

If you are an atheist or a secular humanist, then death is the end. This is a very bad thing……..the worst event in your life. It is perfectly reasonable for you to fear death. I’d worry about you if you didn’t.

If you are a Christian…….and I am…….things are much more complicated. So, going back to the question of the week.

Yes…….I am afraid of death.

My faith teaches that when I die, I will go to paradise and spend eternity surrounded by the love of my creator, my father, God. My faith teaches that when I die, I will go to a place where the things in my life that are wrong, broken, will be made right. My faith teaches that when I die……….I will be reunited with family and friends who died before me. In a word…….my faith teaches that when I die……things are going to get better……..a whole lot better.

Going back to my father and my friend and their experiences with near death. Both of them describe an experience that was wonderful. Both said, in so many words, that they liked being dead and wanted to stay that way. My father said that he almost punched the guy who revived him. Their experience aligns very well with the teaching of Christianity. Their experience says that things on the other side of the curtain are much better than they are in this broken world.

And that is what confuses me.

My Christian faith tells me that death is going to be a huge improvement for me……..a quantum leap forward in the development of my soul……..and yet I’m afraid of death. I do everything that I can to avoid death……..to put it off. Everything that I feel and say and do in relation to death is contrary to my faith.

Why?

I get that there may be some pain or illness leading up to my death. So it is sensible to fear dying…….but not death itself.

The only conclusion that I can reach is that I am afraid of the unknowns surrounding my death. I am afraid of what lies on the other side of the curtain.

And that is an indictment of my faith.

My fear of death is a direct measure of the weakness of my faith in my Father’s promise.

My fear of death is a direct measure of my lack of faith………..in my Father’s love for me.

Mea Culpa.

“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”

Paul, ESV

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Jesus, ESV

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

David, ESV