5 Reasons Not to Fear Death

Death is a part of life. Yet, some people become so obsessed with death that they forget to live their lives. People become obsessed with how they’re going to die, how painful it’s going to be, etc. Death appears to be final, and people recognize that because death is brutal and causes people such pain and sorrow, they can’t help but fear it.

5 Reasons Not to Fear Death

But for the Christian, there’s no reason to fear death. Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of His people so that they could be forgiven and have a new life in heaven. Death is, therefore, a gateway to freedom for the Christian. In heaven, there will be no death because Christ overcame it on the cross. That’s why Christians do not need to fear death.

Here are five reasons not to fear death.

Reason One: Death is inevitable

Everything on this earth dies, and nothing gets out of dying. The hope we have is that when God saves us, we spiritually die to sin and are born again in Christ. In fact, we continually die more and more to the sin of our flesh in order to make us more Christ-like. Death can be a gift if only we choose to embrace the reality of it. If we are living yielded to Christ and focus on the hope we have, there is no reason to fear the inevitability of death.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:4, NIV

Reason Two: No one knows when death will come

God does not tell us when it is our time to die, so we should not waste time wondering when it will happen. If God were to tell us, we would spend too much time obsessing and worrying over it. Instead, we should live each day to His glory. Putting faith in God means we trust His timing when we leave this earth; then, there is no reason to worry or fret over the specifics.

God is not done with us as long as we have breath in our lungs. He has been known to take many people’s health situations and turn them around for His glory. There is no use catastrophizing over when we will die or how it will be. It is better to embrace each day and live it to the fullest.

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” – Matthew 6:27, NIV

Reason Three: Death doesn’t have to be painful

One of the reasons people obsess over death is that it can be painful. People who are actively dying can be subject to significant pain and often will groan or cry out in pain as their organs shut down or their body is consumed by an illness.

However, with new technology emerging and medications, death does not have to be painful. If the person is in the hospital, they can receive comfort care that will ensure the death process is pain-free. Many people die peacefully and slowly this way.

Although not every death can be pain-free, it is essential to note that death can still be quick and peaceful. A person can die suddenly through an accident or an illness and only experience slight discomfort. The temporary pain will be forgotten once in heaven.

Additionally, we may think about the pain death may bring to our loved ones, or even the pain it will bring us if we lose a loved one. The emotional pain we experience is a part of life until we are in heaven. Although it is normal to feel pain during the grieving process, physical pain may not necessarily be a requirement.

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. – Romans 14:8, NIV

Reason Four: There are more incredible things to come after death

Death gives way to more incredible things. Without death, there would be no new life in heaven. Because of Christ’s death, we are promised new life in Him. Additionally, we are assured of salvation because of Christ’s death. All we must do is accept and believe it. Anyone can be assured that heaven awaits them after death if they have accepted Christ as their Savior.

It is essential to keep this eternal perspective as we think about our deaths as well as the deaths of loved ones. Christians do not have to grieve as if they have no hope of ever seeing their loved ones again. Instead, they have the promise of heaven, where they know they’ll be reunited with those who believe in Christ as their Savior.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. – Colossians 3:2, NIV

Reason Five: Death gives way to new life

Death can be brutal in many ways. We grieve and endure emotional pain. Sometimes, we deal with the physical pain of death or experience deep empathy as we experience our loved ones going through painful death. God promises that in death, Christians will experience new life.

Death is not an easy concept to discuss with others. Because of the emotional pain it brings, it is also difficult to embrace fully, as we never know what death will bring or how it will come about for us. Many people fear death because they’re afraid of being separated from their loved ones or the physical or mental pain it may cause. However, in death, we are promised to experience new life if only we believe in God’s plan for eternity in heaven.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26, NIV

Review these five reasons, which demonstrate how death is not to be feared but embraced. Continue to search the Scriptures for additional reasons not to fear death as Christians. When we know and believe there is hope when we die, peace and rest will follow. If you are ready to overcome fear and live each day to the fullest, a Christian counselor can help. Contact me today.