THANATOPHOBIA – The extreme fear of death

I have several friends who are personally experiencing terminal illnesses.   There are also those who have relatives on their deathbeds.  Some of those I know have lost those they loved and may be suffering extreme grief over their loss.  I have personally wondered at times,if my life after death is real or if its just a story to make me feel good.  I think we may all have doubts like that at times.

Death means finality to some.  It’s an ending to the daily drudgery.  It means the pain will end and we can finally rest. Each of us face it in different ways.  Some will push to get their estates in order, while others just wait to see if a cure is available and life can maybe go on.

As I look at our world today, I wonder why death is so ominous.  Our lives are like a candle, waning with age, slowly melting away.  The turmoil that spews at us every day, makes death kind of appealing. If you believe that this all there is, you’re missing a great truth.  As Jesus was dying on the cross, He gave the thief hanging next to Him these words,

Luke 23:43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

These words can also reassure us:

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

John 14:1-4“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. And you know the way to where I am going.”

We all know that death is inevitable, but it does have to mean the end of life. When in our weakened state and struggling with questions, God’s Word is a promise we can count on.