I’m afraid I will die too
Question:
Life has been great. My anger has been getting to be less of a burden. But something's been torturing me tonight, I even broke down and cried a few minutes ago. I was taken up with a fear that my life was almost over; that I didn't have much time left. Then for a moment, I relived finding my brother dead. I remembered me and my dad banging on his door, and dad desperately trying to shake him awake. The sound is the part I wish I could forget the most ...
I fear one day it'll be my door they're banging on; it'll be me they're trying to shake awake. I guess this is normal, right? Mr. Hamilton, I know if I die, I'll go to heaven, but that doesn't erase the fear of death. No one is promised tomorrow. I guess my question is, what can be done about fear like that?
Answer:
One of the things that the Bible teaches us is that feelings are not reality. "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered" (Proverbs 28:26).
The death of your brother was a horrible tragedy, but it doesn't mean it will be repeated. However, there is a lesson to be learned. "Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; and the living will take it to heart" (Ecclesiastes 7:2). It is important to remember that life here on earth is not permanent. It isn't the sum of what life is all about. The understanding of death is that we live life fully and faithfully before God. "Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity" (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10).
Everyone has fears when facing something new or unknown. We get anxious about moving because we haven't lived there before. Even if we are excited to go, there are still things we dread. None of us have been to heaven. None of us have seen God. We are excited to go and live with Him, yet it still involves the unknown. Therefore, just put the feelings down as normal and continue to focus on pleasing God.
