Why do people fear death?

For the last few weeks death has been on my mind. It's approaching the two year anniversary of the first funeral I performed, and it's nearing the seventh anniversary of the death of a close friend. Maybe that has something to do with it, but whatever the reason I've been thinking about it for a while. My last post got me thinking a little bit more about the subject, and so I want to add some of what I've thought about since then.

I once heard that the two things people fear most are public speaking and death, public speaking being first. So that means at a funeral, more people would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy. I get the public speaking fear; you're standing in front of people, all eyes and ears on you, and messing up when you have that much attention focused on you would be embarrassing. Some people worry about losing their place, other's about stumbling over words. It's something you have to live with, but probably not for as long as you think in the moment.

But why do people fear death? Is it the unknown of what's on the other side? Is it the uncertainty of what the experience will be like? Is it because of the unfamiliarity with all of it? Or is it because we see it as the end to something good? I'm willing to say it's a bit of all of them, but the more I think about it the more I lean towards the last option.

This life is all we've known, and the reality of it is that it comes to an end. It wasn't supposed to be like this, and I think that's part of the reason for all the mystery with it. Death is foreign to the way things are supposed to be. But sadly, it's a reality we all must face. But it doesn't have to be something we fear, and for the follower of Christ it doesn't mark the end, but rather the beginning.

I remember sitting with the man whose funeral I performed before he died. We talked about what would happen, and I reminded him that even though he had never experienced it before, Jesus had, and He would hold his hand the entire way. And when it comes to death, I honestly don't think we're really going to notice at first. If you read The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle, you find that the main characters are dead and they don't even realize it until Aslan informs them. And I think it's going to be like that.

We have a soul, part of us that is eternal, and makes us who we are at our core. It is most essentially us. That part does not die. I think death is going to be like falling asleep. Then you wake up in this place that is very familiar, yet different. You'll know at that point that something is up, and then you'll see Him. Face to face for the first time the reality of it will hit you, the old has gone, and the new has come. Finally, you'll be in the place you were meant to be, as you were meant to be. And here, at the beginning of forever, you find perfect existence and unity with the Creator that will never end. What is there in that to fear? Yes, death does mark the end of a journey, but it is the gateway to a new beginning.

I haven't been through it personally yet, but based on reading, prayer, and insight, I think it's going to be something pretty similar to that. And so the follower of Christ has nothing to fear at all. And remember, Jesus has tasted it first hand, and He isn't going to leave you in the middle of it. He'll be by your side every step of the way as you enter into forever. There is no fear in death because of the power of Christ.

But for those who haven't experienced the new life that God offers, there is uncertainty and no peace. There is no one to guide them to the other side. You can experience the freedom from fear that Christ offers, and when the time comes, you can face death with peace and confidence, knowing that on the other side is the life you were meant to live. And that life is one that death cannot steal away. There death will be dead, and only goodness will exist.

Why do people fear death? Because they don't know Jesus, or if they do, it's because they don't realize that death is simply the beginning. There is no reason to fear death with Jesus. He will be with you through it, and on the other side welcome you into paradise.

"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."

To God alone be the Glory!

Peace be with you