Fearing Death

[Scout]

Does anyone here really fear death? It seems that every time I think about it, which is often, I get this tightness in my chest and I feel almost panicky. I’m not morbid or anything like that, it’s just that when I hear about people dying, I feel like I’m put in their place and I wonder where I’d end up if it was my turn to die.

Well, I guess I’m not really afraid of death, but afraid of what comes after death. I believe in God and I believe in the saving power of Christ. I guess I’m just afraid that I’m not doing what’s right in order to get to heaven. Or that I don’t have enough faith and that I’m failing miserably in my life and God is not pleased with me.

Does any of this make sense? Has anyone else felt this way and overcame it? If so, what did you do to overcome this fear?

Scout

 

[idrum677]

Death is an unknown experience to us. It is normal to have a fear of the unknown- espicially when there is no one who can tell us what it is like or what to expect. I’ve had that fear myself. The more I think about it, the scarier it is.

We can’t grasp “eternity” and thats what the passage from this life to the next is. Its like meditating on God as “I am.” Our human minds cannot grasp the concept of God always being.

Faith and trying live a life of holiness is the only way to combat this. Whenever I get on this train of thought, I try to remember the promise Our Lord made us for eternal life.

Do I worry about my sins and the consequences? You bet! That’s why I frequent the sacraments- espicially confession in order to attempt to stay in a state of grace. I have faith in what the Church teaches and that will lead me to heaven

Look at the example of the good thief. Even though he lived the life of a criminal, by reconciling with the Lord and having faith, he earned his place in eternity.

Surely I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.

Try not to fear. I know it can be difficult, but trust in the Lord and his Mercy.
*Jesus I trust in You*

 

[fhansen]

Eternal life is a central tenet of our faith for this very reason -the fear which God knows we have of death. Faith in this and other tenets is a gift which increases as we perservere in seeking and serving God. Pray. Ask and you’ll receive. Because this thing is reciprocal-because God really does give this gift, we can grow in this trust that He will do the things which are promised by our faith but which we cannot see while here on earth. And as that happens, love for God grows and “Love casts out fear”. And while fear about the consequences of our sin is a proper concern, remember that Jesus saves us while yet in our sins and transgressions, so we can still trust in this promise of salvation, working it out in “fear and trembling” while learning to grow in a steadfast trust and love for God.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Scout,

I don’t fear death, because I know that I will be with Jesus, in eternal happiness.

However, I fear the process of death a little bit and try not to think about it.

Jim

 

[Eilish_Maura]

I cannot honestly say I fear death or what comes after.

I trust at the time all will be made clear.