How can we face death with dignity?
In our society we don't like to talk much about death. After all, our world is
geared towards entertainment and having fun. Still, every day thousands of
people have no choice but to face the inevitable, and many do so filled with
fear, which is a common factor among humans wandering on this planet. Some are
more than fearful. They are terrified.
Believers aren't immune to this either. A pastor from the other side of North
America was such an encouragement to my wife when she faced cancer last year.
They both had two things in common: my wife's best friend was his daughter and
they both had cancer. He was a breath of fresh air to my wife, even though he
faced the same deadly disease.
The outcome wasn't the same though. My wife was healed, but this faithful,
devoted pastor faced death, and at one point, he had to admit that he was
afraid. How would any of us react when we realize that our organs are slowly
shutting down?
My mother-in-law also concurred that she was afraid when she was recently
admitted in a local hospital. But not about death itself. She was afraid about
the process of dying, which she would rather skip. This is where we, as
believers, differ from others. We anticipate going to our Heavenly home, but we
are aware of our frailties when going through the process of suffering. Death is
not was fazes us. It is the suffering that we really don't prefer.
However, we, who are followers of the Most High, have nothing to fear, for we
know where we are going. Yes, the process may not be quite that enjoyable, but
we don't have to face this alone!
Jesus went way out of His way to make certain of this. Born in a manger, He was
destined to die the goriest death possible: death by asphyxiation. Still, even
though He knew about this in advance, He was unfazed by it. Instead He
concentrated on His ministry of love towards humanity. However even Jesus faced
fear. Just moments before his eventual arrest, it is written that: ". . . being
in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood
falling to the ground." (Luke 22:44, NIV2)
Jesus truly can identify with what we are going through. Notice that even though
His own disciples weren't much of an encouragement, as they were asleep while
Jesus was facing this terror, He was encouraged from heaven above! "An angel
from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him." (Luke 22:43, NIV2) What
humans were unable to do, God did!
Jesus allowed Himself to die on a lonely cross, with the only purpose being to
defeat death and to open the door to immortality. Being pure, He rose on the
third day, as prophesied in the Old Testament, and confirmed that "Death has
been swallowed up in victory." (1 Corinthians 15:54b)
Now we can firmly stand facing death and ask ourselves "Where, O death, is your
victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15:55, NIV2)
Thanks to Jesus, the fear of death is broken: "Since the children have flesh and
blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the
power of him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil-and free those who
all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." (Hebrews 2:14-15,
NIV2). He stands by us, identifying with us, encouraging us that we have truly
nothing to fear. We are not alone in this! He stands by our side! We are going
home!
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalms
23:4, KJV)
Someone wrote to me recently and shared the following with me: "Thank you so
much for your prayers for my dad. Today morning at 10:30 AM he left us to be
with the Lord for ever.
I am glad that he is now with the Lord and what died is not him but his old age,
his pain, his sickness and his suffering. All of this died but my dad is living
with our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of heaven.
I had the privilege of telling him about the Lord and His Kingdom and encouraged
him to think about heaven before he passed off into eternity. I also prayed with
him and as he was gasping in the last stages, he held my hand and slept off
peacefully to open his eyes in front of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am
at peace with this assurance that I will certainly see him one day with the Lord
and will be united with him again to enter that land of peace and praise."
Only Jesus can give us that inner peace and remove the fear that haunts us. "Do
not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)
We, as Christians, have a task as well. It's our mission to encourage those who
need someone to stand by them: "But encourage one another daily, as long as it
is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."
(Hebrews 3:13, NIV2)
It's easy to become discouraged, but as long as we focus on the Christ, the One
who was victorious over death, fear will evaporate into nothingness. After all,
Jesus is our peace: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the
world." (John 16:33, NIV2)
Jesus did indeed "overcome the world", and we can too, with His help.
I am assured that I will be able to meet this pastor who was an inspiration to
my wife. What a great reunion this will be when we gather at the banquet hall of
the Most High Himself.
Are you an encourager? If not yet, you still can become one. Make a difference
and let God transform you into a bright shining star.
Death is not the end, it is just the beginning. Just like a child in its
mother's womb, when his time comes, that child gets to meet his mother in
person. In the same way, we will meet our Heavenly Father in person as well!
Wow!
Rob Chaffart
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