do you fear death?

Question

i am now 55 years old and am developing a fear of dying is this normal?

Answer 1

I do not fear death. In fact I rather look forward to what follows. I shan't bore you with my personal beliefs of who or what is on the other side. What I do fear is the walk to the door. We pass through that door when we are born; we go back through it when we are done.

I would love to be like my dad who just slipped out one night with absolutely no warning at 78. He left after a night of dancing with Mom. What a way to go!

Your fear is very normal. We all have thoughts of mortality. This is one of the things that separates us from the animal kingdom. I came close to dieing from a slow disease a few years ago and found after recovery just how precious the gift of life is. "You don't know what you got, until you lo-o-se it!)

Whether it be a stillborn baby or a wise old sage of 129, we go when it is time to go. There are no accidents regarding this.

I am 58 and had a good life but I still have plenty of juice to enjoy it. Therefore I do not tend to worry too much about the inevitable. I intend to do plenty more and enjoy my kids as much as possible.

If you fret about such things, you will definitely bring down the quality of your life. Get out on a bicycle and feel the wind on your face!

I thank Allah for each day as I awaken and again when I close my eyes for sleep! Each day is a gift and I am grateful to live in part of the world where I have the freedom to enjoy it.

There is an Arab line I am fond of: Who promised you a tomorrow? I recall this whenever I am procrastinating on something I might like to experience.

Now, git ye out and enjoy the beautiful day!

Thanks for the opportunity to remind myself of how lucky we all are.

Answer 2

I do not fear death because I have an understanding of where I am going.
You do not give an indication of your background in religion or your belief but I would surmise that you may feel lost in some way. Sometimes we forget where we came from and where we are heading. Solve those two questions and I assure you you will welcome death and look forward to the Love of the Father.
If your fear is from a life of immorality and sin knowing what might await you, remember you still have time for a conversion of heart and return to the love of the father never doubt His mercy

God Bless

Answer 3

Well, as we get older we do become more aware of our own mortality, so yes, I would say that a fear of dying is normal.

I don't subscribe to the heaven and hell versions of afterlife, but I do think that, since energy cannot be destroyed or created, the energy that fires us in life does go on to fire something else after we die. Whether that energy remains as a 'unit' or dissipates into the general pool of energy, I don't know. I don't think most of us have any conscious awareness of ourselves in any re-incarnation, if that is what happens, but I like to think that we are aware of what is going on when we are 'between' lives so to speak. I don't think that death is the end - nature is never so wasteful, everything is re-cycled.

But at the end of the day, death happens to us all- and it may be that we are not aware anymore. If so, what is the point of worrying about it and spoiling the time we do have in life?

Answer 4

Maybe. Most people, the older they get, start getting a real sense of their own mortality and what lies "out there". I'm 45 and death has already visited me twice (or I visited it twice depending on which psychiatrist and surgeon you ask), so I'm not sure that I fear death. What I really fear is life. Don't get me wrong- I believe in Christ as the Son of God, but eternity for me is uncertain because I'm not sure that I want to live forever. I wish that when I die that God would simply vanquish me from all existence-no mind, no heart, no soul, no remembrance of me whatsoever; to make it so that I never was. Wishful thinking, I know. Yes- you're being afraid of death is only normal. My suggestion would be to go to a quiet place where no-one else is around and just spill your guts to Christ and ask Him to help you. He'll take that fear away from you. You need only to honestly believe. I promise you- I lie not. When it comes your time to fall asleep, you'll be ready.

Answer 5

Almost every rational human being in history has feared death. Why do you think we've put so much effort as a species into creating after-life mythology? Deluding ourselves into Thinking we KNOW we'll go somewhere better when we die makes it easier to handle the fear of the unknown.

Whether any of it has ever been true or not will have to wait until you've actually died to find out...

Oh... and I don't fear dying... today. I fear suffering, pain and a drawn out, lingering decline. But if I could just go to sleep and not wake up, I'm not afraid of that.

Today.......

Ask me tomorrow, next year or in 30 and my answer could be completely different! ;)

Answer 6

I think it's normal to go through phases where you fear dying. It shouldn't become an obsession, though. Survival instinct makes everyone fear dying to a point. I wouldn't say I have any sort of fear that invades my thoughts. I just figure when we die we're not going to know the difference, anyway. I'm more afraid of being in pain while I'm dying.

Answer 7

Great question.

1.) It depeds on your living situation. The one thing i haven't heard anyone mention on here is that it depends based on who you are leaving behind once you're gone. Will they be ok? Have you told them all the things they need to know? I think these are legitamate reasons to be afraid - do your best for these people.

2.) If you're afraid of dying because you don't know what come next; maybe you've lived a neither good or bad life and feel like your 'somewhere in-between' life leaves your afterlife (in the event that there is one) uncertain. I think this is a legitamate reason as well - go do something that make you feel proud about your life.

3.) If you're afraid it's gonna hurt, well, you better get keep the advil handy!

Answer 8

Fear of dying is normal for a non believer. I use to lie in bed thinking one day Im going to die. Nothing you can do and it will be here before you know it. I think back to when I was in school and how it was never going to end. Well now Im 38 and those 20 years have flown by. I was blessed to be born in a family which took me to church. I didnt really give it a second thought growing up. I went to church because I had to. I go to church now because of the love from Jesus Christ. I dont lie in bed at night losing sleep thinking man Im gonna die am I going to Heaven or Hell. My eternity is secure. Youre worrying wont add to your life only take away. If you are scared repent and ask the Lord into your heart. He is waiting for you. He will take that fear away and help you to lead others to Him. I think everyone is scared to die to an extent. But I put my faith in the Lord and obey and death does not scare me. The only death I fear is the death of those dying without the Lord. Repent and be saved now is the time. Peace out...............................

Answer 9

It is normal to fear death, like that one guy said its intrinsic survival instinct.

However, I am not. I know where I am going when I die (heaven!), because like some of the others that have answered you, I have accepted JC as my savior and accepted his gift of dying to take my sins.

Now, I would still rather not go through anything painful or drawn out, but as for the actual death part: no, I'm not worried. Everything dies eventually anyway.

Answer 10

It is normal to fear it but is pointless to fear the inevitable conclusion to life.I once feared death until I learned to accept that no matter what I am going to die anyway and so rather then fear death I decided to make the most of life.If you have lived as best you can live then your life will end with meaning and that is the best anyone can hope for.