Your honesty is appreciated. Your question allows us to review various approaches to death and seek what is compatible with God’s Word and fitting for a child of God.

Ignore death?

Much of humanity tries to ignore death or downplay how real and inevitable it is. The use of mild or vague terms for death is common. Young people like to see it as something reserved for the old, and old people have been known to focus on “bucket lists” in order to push thoughts of death aside. But death remains something we all must face. No immersion into a flurry of activity, no exercise or diet regimen, no methods of meditation, and no amount of money can avoid it.

Fear death?

You are not alone in fearing death. Death is an enemy and a thief—not a well-meaning friend. Death reminds us of our sin and the curse of divine law for sinners. Death separates us from our loved ones, bringing grief and sorrow. Jesus wept over the death of his friend Lazarus and its impact on his family—even though he knew he would be raising Lazarus to life again.

But to hate death and wish its destruction is not the same as fearing it. At times, our emotions may not always distinguish between these similar reactions. Sometimes we fear not so much death, but the process of dying. We wonder if death will be painful and prolonged. We each have to sort out our own feelings in this matter, but let’s distinguish between fearing the process of dying and fearing death itself. Fearing death is not taking the high road. It remains less than God’s will for us. Scripture encourages us not to be afraid of death. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4). Paul said to the Philippians, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (1:21). The many repeated encouragements not to fear and many arguments that equip us to deal with fear point us to better approaches.

Desire death?

The object of our faith, Jesus and his substitutionary death and resurrection, provides the key to rising above our fear of death. Death has been defeated. Its sting has been removed when Christ obeyed the law and won forgiveness for us. For believers in Christ, death becomes a divine tool that releases us from our earthly pilgrimage en route to glory. Alongside feelings of uneasiness as we face this enemy, in Christ we may see it as a servant of our Savior and of us, his redeemed people.

Calmly anticipate death?