I have no fear of what comes after death. I may not know exactly what it will look like, but I know that Jesus will be there waiting for me. I am, however, terrified of the death process itself. It's consumed me recently, especially with the horrid state of the world. It's almost an incapacitating fear...the fear of the pain of death.
Anyone share this fear? Have any tips, tricks, suggestions? I pray a lot about it and try to put that fear into God's hands, but it still lingers.
In anticipation of the horrible torments of his approaching crucifixion, Jesus "sweat, as it were, great drops of blood." He even prayed that the "cup" of his atonement might pass from him, that he would not have to endure the physical horrors and agony of being beaten to a bloody pulp and then nailed to a cross and ALSO "being made sin for us who knew no sin," separated for a time from fellowship with the Father. So, it's quite natural to feel fear over the prospect of a painful death and to desire to avoid it.
Unlike Christ, however, when we, as God's children, pass into "the valley of the shadow of death," the Good Shepherd is there in the Person of the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, the only one who can - and will - walk with us through the doorway to eternity, his "rod and staff" comforting and guarding us. (
Psalms 23) God's word holds out to us this promise, too:
Romans 8:18
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
2 Corinthians 4:16-17
16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
Have you ever endured a medical procedure, surgery perhaps, that caused you some short-term pain in order to gain long-term freedom from greater pain? I have. Death is the final "surgery" that frees us eternally from all further pain, but in the process may cause us some hurt. It was the happy prospect of the end of greater pain that induced me to suffer the lesser, shorter-term pain of surgery and it is the joyful prospect of eternal freedom from suffering that helps carry me through the final "surgery" of death.
More than this, though, death is the doorway to face-to-face communion with my Maker. I'm willing to undergo the rigors of death that I might finally stand in the presence of my Lord and Savior and see him in all of his heavenly glory (see
Revelations 1:12-18). He is my "exceeding great reward," drawing me on through the valley of death with hope, and even joy, whatever pain may accompany my journey. When I ponder my death, more and more I find myself focused on Jesus and as this is the case, the pain and suffering death may entail has faded from a rising terror to a "necessary evil," temporary, and not worthy of comparison to the great wonder and delight of forever with my God and King.
Revelation 21:3-7
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,
4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
5 And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."
6 Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.
7 "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.